Why Eric Church Thinks Morgan Wallen’s Chair-Throwing Arrest Was “Actually A Good Thing”

Morgan Wallen doesn’t spend much time in bars these days—not “since the last time I was in a bar that everybody knows about.” The “Whiskey Glasses” crooner, 31, was referring to his highly-publicized arrest last April at Eric Church’s bar, Chief’s. With the lengthy legal case wrapped up, the country star is seemingly walking a straighter, narrower path. Recently, Eric Church shared his initial thoughts upon learning that Morgan Wallen was arrested at his establishment, and why he thinks it was ultimately “a good thing” for the reigning Entertainer of the Year.

“Uh-Oh”: Eric Church Shares His Reaction to Morgan Wallen Arrest

April 7, 2024, marked opening weekend for Chief’s on Broadway Street. Eric Church was watching college basketball when he received a call from Morgan Wallen, his friend and fellow country star.

Wallen was calling with bad news. Police had arrested the “I’m the Problem” singer after witnesses said they saw him pick up a chair and chuck it from the sixth-story roof of Chief’s bar. The chair landed below on Broadway, just feet from where two patrol officers were standing.

“I said, ‘Uh-oh,’” Church, 48, said during a recent interview with the Los Angles Times. “I knew it was gonna be noisy, and it was — it was damn noisy.”

[RELATED: Eric Church’s Nashville Bar Makes Public Statement After Morgan Wallen Incident, Arrest]

Wallen Later Apologized to Chief’s Staff

Facing three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, Morgan Wallen remained a hot topic on social media in the coming months.

In December, less than a month after winning his first Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 58th CMA Awards, the pop-country phenom pleaded guilty in Davidson Country court to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment.

He received two years’ probation and a seven-day sentence at a DUI Education Center. Since then, Wallen has apparently been avoiding bars and working on his forthcoming album, I’m the Problem, out May 16.

I didn't feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks. I’ve touched base with Nashville law enforcement, my family, and the good people at Chief’s. I'm not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility.

— morgan wallen (@MorganWallen) April 20, 2024

“It was actually a good thing for Mo,” Eric Church said. “I think that was a line for him, and he’s done really well since then — it was a thing he’s reacted positively to as a person.

According to Church, the “I Had Some Help” singer even made an appearance at Chief’s to apologized in person. “I was proud of him,” said the “Springsteen” crooner.

Featured image by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM