I Need a Full Album of Eric Church Covers After He Crushed This 1974 Al Green Classic During ‘Nashville’s Big Bash’

For the last 15 or so years, Eric Church has been a staple act in country music. Since his 2011 album, Chief, Erich Church has garnered six No. 1 hits, four CMA awards, and seven ACM awards. That being so, the man has cemented himself as country music royalty of the 21st century and likely beyond. Hence, it is no surprise that Erich Church performed at the biggest country music concert of 2024, Nashville’s Big Bash,

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Eric Church might not be a viral sensation compared to his co-stars Shaboozey and Post Malone, but the man is still an icon. Also, as they say, the true legends move in silence. With all that in mind, Eric Church hasn’t made a plethora of public appearances in 2024. Most notably, he and Luke Combs raised approximately $24 million for the state of North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Additionally, in 2024, Church also performed at the Stagecoach Festival and at The 58th Annual CMA Awards in November. Church also released his single, “Darkest Hour.”

Given Church’s laborious and tiresome year, it was quite the treat to see him perform at Nashville’s Big Bash. Unlike his co-stars Shaboozey, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson, Eric Church slowed down the pace of the evening with his a superb cover of Al Green’s 1974 classic “Take Me to the River.” Frankly, for Church, it was quite the way to musically close out 2024, and it will be a performance for the ages.

Eric Church’s 2024 Set at The Stagecoach Festival

Despite the release of his single and his charity concert in Charlotte, North Carolina gaining a ton of notoriety, the most storied moment of Church’s 2024 was his performance at the Stagecoach Festival. Performing in Indio, California, the general public reception deemed Church’s set as controversial, diverse, and unorthodox. Which, it was, and marvelously at that.

During his performance, Church was accompanied by a gospel choir and performed songs “This Little Light of Mine,” his hit “Springsteen,” and Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice.” The performance was incredibly noteworthy and will go down in history as one of the most unique performances designed and performed by a country musician.

Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM