Eric Church made his country music debut in the early 2000s, shamelessly placing his heart and soul on the line. Country-rock fans were introduced to a musician with a rebellious spirit who was raised in rural North Carolina. Despite Church's candid lyrics, a mysterious man remains behind his signature aviator glasses.  

Church is one of the biggest stars in the country music scene. However, he maintains a private lifestyle – ensuring that the primary focus remains on his craft. Throughout the years, fans have witnessed entertainers keep a low profile to protect their connection with listeners, to stay out of the tabloids, or even to have greater control over their own narrative. 

Although the reason behind his hush-hush lifestyle remains unclear – Fandom Daily has carefully cultivated a list of fascinating facts that will give a glimpse into his flourishing career, personality, and surreptitious story. 

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1. His Full Name is Kenneth Eric Church 

The singer-songwriter goes by Eric Church, but his first name is "Kenneth." The hitmaker was born on May 3, 1977, and was named after his father. 

2. Eric Church Wears Sunglasses Because His Contacts 

It is unusual for fans to see the "Springsteen" singer without his trademark sunglasses. Church frequently sports black aviators on stage. Nearly a decade ago, Church told Mike Adam on Air that he wears the shades while performing to protect his contact lenses from drying out. He picked up the hack early in his career when the stage lights would "bake his contacts" and cause them to pop out. Church declared that he would instantly "go blind on stage." 

 3. Eric Church Gave Taylor Swift Her Big Break 

Eric Church indirectly gave world-renowned superstar Taylor Swift her big break. In 2006, Church scored the opening slot on Rascal Flatts' headlining tour. However, the award-winning trio fired the outlaw country singer after he overstayed his welcome on stage during multiple stops. Following Church's exit from the arena tour, Taylor Swift took his spot. 

 "Doing my own thing and just being stubborn about it early on, yes, got me kicked off there," Church recalled during Country Radio Seminar in 2021. "She wanted to make sure there was no bad blood. She had just had the 'Tim McGraw' song. I joked with her and said, 'You owe me your first gold album.' Four days later…sure enough, she came to a show of mine, and she had (a gold album.) I still have it. It's in the Hall of Fame, I think. It said, 'Eric, thanks for playing too long and too loud on the Rascal Flatts tour. I sincerely appreciate it.'" 

 4. Eric Church Holds Grudges 

 Eric Church is notoriously known for holding grudges. During a candid interview with Playboy, the country crooner admitted keeping a long-running list of people who have wronged him. He explained that NBA star Michael Jordan inspired the idea.  

"I've never seen a person hold grudges like that," Church said about the professional athlete. "And I like that, because I carry a hell of a chip on my shoulder. I carry that list onstage with me." 

5. His Nickname "Chief" Came From His Grandfather 

 Members of the Church Choir typically refer to Eric Church as "Chief." The nickname derived from his late grandfather, who was the chief of police in Granite Falls, North Carolina. His band and fans began calling him "Chief" when he would slip on his dark aviators to protect his contacts from the beaming lights on stage. During his lively performances, Church would take on a new persona that resembled a police officer. 

"The band starting joking with me, when I put the hat and sunglasses on, they go, 'Alright, it's Chief time, Chief's here," said the singer, according to CatCountry96. "Chief became my nickname on the road, really as a joke…I laughed about it…but what they didn't know, the really cool part of the story, my grandpa was the chief of police. Everybody called him, 'Chief.' Everybody, my dad called him chief as his son-in-law, so it was just very neat to me, that across generations, it became my nickname naturally, and nobody knew about it being my grandpa's nickname, nobody."  

Church titled his third studio album, Chief. The 11-song tracklist includes some of his biggest hits, including "Drink In My Hand," "Springsteen," "Homeboy," and more. The collection was released in 2011 and debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart – becoming Church's first album to top the prestigious list. Following the release, the record scored Album of The Year at the CMA Awards (2011) and ACM Awards (2012). Chief marked a pivotal point in Church's music career, solidifying his status as an artist and knack for songwriting. 

6. Eric Church Is Married To Katherine Blasingame

The country trailblazer tied the knot with Katherine Blasingame in 2008. The two had a private ceremony at the Westglow Spa & Resort in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. During the intimate wedding, Church surprised Blasingame with an impromptu performance of "You Make It Look So Easy." The sentimental love song, which now lives on his chart-topping album Carolina, was primarily penned for their wedding day. 

Blasingame and Church met in Music City, when he first entered the country music scene. At the time, she was a music publisher. They now share two sons together – Boone McCoy Church and Tennessee Hawkins. 

 7. Eric Church Is A Big Sports Fan 

Eric Church has two passions – music and sports. The hitmaker considers himself a massive North Carolina Tar Heels fan. In 2022, Church received backlash after he canceled his "Gather Again Tour" stop in San Antonio, Texas, to watch the college team play in the NCAA Final Four game against Duke Blue Devils. Church pulled out just four days before the show, leaving ticketholders angry.  

"This Saturday, my family and I are going to stand together to cheer on the Tar Heels as the team has made it to the Final Four," he wrote to his fans. "As a lifelong Carolina basketball fan, I've watched Carolina and Duke battle over the year, but to have them matchup in the Final Four for the first time in the history of the NCAA Tournament is any sports enthusiast's dream." 

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 8. Eric Church Is An Advocate for Cannabis 

Eric Church's smash hit "Smoke a Little Smoke" is a friendly nod to the Cannabis community. Singing about weed has become a common theme in country music scene, as Willie Nelson, Brandy Clark, Blake Shelton, Hank Williams Jr., and more have all shared their love for the carefree activity. In an interview with Men's Journal, Church admitted that he gave up smoking weed for edibles. 

"I do more edibles now just because the smoking park sucking for me vocally," he explained. "I mean, it's one of those things I'm not ashamed of. It's something I enjoy. It's escapism. I do it responsibly." 

9. Eric Church Has A Degree In Marketing 

Before pursuing music full-time, Erich Church graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Marketing. Following graduation he moved to Nashville and inked a deal with Sony Music. 

10. "Springsteen" Is Not About Bruce Springsteen 

Eric Church's smash single "Springsteen" is not about Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bruce Springsteen. The vocalist released the GRAMMY-nominated track in 2012, becoming Church's first song to grace the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart. His own love story inspired the up-tempo anthem. 

"I went to a concert when I was younger with a girl, and to this day, when I hear that artist, it's the soundtrack to that girl," he told The Boot. "I never think about her any other time, except when that song is on. That's where the 'Springsteen' came from, and he seemed to be the perfect guy to craft that story around because of my love for him…I have such reverence for Bruce Springsteen's career and how he's built it."