launched into stardom by michelle morgan
DESCRIPTION
Kenneth Eric Church May 3, 1977 North Carolina Eric Church’s life seems to start the same as any ordinary man. He was born Kenneth Eric Church on May 3, 1977, in Granite Falls, North Carolina. He is one of three children born to Ken and Rita Church. (Bauman, Eric Church - Carolina)TRANSCRIPT
Launched into Stardom By Michelle Morgan
Eric Church Launched into Stardom By Michelle Morgan Kenneth Eric
Church May 3, 1977 North Carolina
Eric Churchs life seems to start the same as any ordinary man.He
was born Kenneth Eric Church on May 3, 1977, in Granite Falls,
North Carolina. He is one of three children born to Ken and Rita
Church. (Bauman, Eric Church - Carolina) Musical Beginnings Began
to love music at an early age
Began singing at 3 years old Started writing music at 13 years old
Taught himself how to play guitar His musical talent began to
manifest at an early age.He recalls being 3 or 4, standing on a
table singing his little heart out, occasioning receiving change
for his performance. By the age of 13 he was beginning to write his
own songs. Shortly after, he bought his first guitar.He says it was
a cheap, hard to tune guitar.He began to teach himself how to play
(Let's Sing it). He was driven to learn to play the guitar so he
could share his thoughts; that he had made into lyrics. (Jam Base)
School Years Played sports in high school
Attended Appalachian State University Majored in marketing
Rediscovered his love for music Although Church liked music it
wasnt his main focus when he was younger.In high school he was
athletic. He loved basketball, baseball, and golf (Let's Sing it).
Immediately following high school he attended Appalachian State
University, where he eventually majored in marketing (Fabian).
However, while at college he discovered his love for music. During
the beginning of his second year he was at a little bar one night
watching a local band.At that moment he realized that he knew all
the songs they did.The only difference was they were making money
doing it, while he was singing in his dorm room. (Jam Base) The
Mountain Boys During college Church formed a band
His brother, roommate, and a guitarist Rough start Broadened his
musical horizon Became regional act Church add originals to set
1999 The Mountain Boys Live at the Blues Room During the beginning
of his second year he was at a little bar one night watching a
local band.At that moment he realized that he knew all the songs
they did.The only difference was they were making money doing it,
while he was singing in his dorm room. (Jam Base) Shortly after
that night Church formed the band named The Mountain Boys, the name
was given to them by their fans.The band consisted of Church, his
roommate, his brother, and another guitarist.They had a rough
beginning.Their first show was at a small restaurant named Arizonas
(Let's Sing it). He believed the people would come and go, allowing
him to play the same 14 songs over again.He was wrong.Half way
through his second set this realization set in.He asked them to
write down what they wanted to hear the following weekend, and he
would learn them.He spent the next week learning the request for
the show that weekend. Church is grateful for that experience
because it broadened his musical horizon. (Morris) As The Mountain
Boys became a regional act Church began to play a few originals
during his sets.In 1999 the band recorded and sold their own album,
The Mountain Boys Live at the Blues Room (Morris) Going to
Nashville Wanted to leave college Made a deal with his father
Graduated in December 2000 Moved in January 2001 Church wanted to
leave college, move to Nashville, and make music.His father made a
deal with him, that if he finished college he would pay for Churchs
first six months in Nashville (Fabian). Church agreed.He graduated
in December of 2000, than headed to Nashville the following month.
Start the Music Young and stupid
Six months after moving, got a regular job First publishing deal
six months later Terri Clark, The World Needs a Drink Jay Joyce
Record deal with Capitol Records After his six months were up
Church had to get a day job. He continued writing and playing.Six
months after that he got his first publishing deal with Sony Tree.
Coming from a strong working background, he figured he was getting
paid to write, so he wrote a lot.The first year at Sony Tree he
demoed about 60 songs.Terri Clark picked up Churchs song The World
Needs a Drink.Shortly after he was introduced to Jay Joyce, a
producer who helped him make a couple of demos.After a performance
Church was offered a record deal with Capitol Records. (Jam Base)
Albums Produced by Capitol Records Sinners Like Me Carolina
Chief
Caught in the Act, live Sinners Like Me Released in 2006 Debut
single, How Bout You
Top 20 before album release Raw, relatable lyrics Tight
instrumentations Working with Capitol Records Church released his
debut single How Bout You early in The song had reached the Top 20
by the time his album, Sinners Like Me was released that summer.
(Ruhlnamm). The album is made of songs Church either wrote or
co-wrote. His lyrics cover topics from hard headedness and hard
work to black and white morality. This album stands out because of
tight instrumentations that is on the verge of turning to shards of
sound. (Morris) Carolina Released in 2009 More contemporary Two Top
Ten singles
Love Your Love the Most Hell on the Heart Smoke a Little Smoke,
certified gold Country Music Awards In 2009 Church released his
second, more contemporary country album. Carolina. The album had
two Top Ten singles, Love Your Love the Most and Hell on the Heart,
while Smoke a Little Smoke became certified gold in This led him to
win the Top New Solo Vocalist award at the County Music Awards in
2011 (Metro Lyrics) Chief Released in 2011 Superstardom Number 1 on
the Billboard top 200
Drink in My Hand Springsteen Album of the year Churchs third album,
Chief, launched him in to superstardom.When it was released in July
of 2011, it debuted at number 1 on the Billboard top 200
(Ruhlnamm). Churchs first song to reach number one was from, Chief,
Drink in My Hand.Shortly followed by Springsteen as number one on
the Country Charts, and crossing over to the Top 20 of pop. Chief
won album of the year in 2012 (Ruhlnamm). Caught in the Act
Released in 2013 Only live album as soloist
Tivoli Theatre, Chattanooga Tennessee Caught in the Act is the only
live album Church has released as a solo artist.It was recorded in
the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, Tennessee.It was released in
2013 (Ruhlnamm). Influential music Truthful lyrics People can
relate to the lyrics
Influences from Bluegrass to Motown Hank Williams Jr Merle Haggard
Waylon Jennings Churchs success can be accredited to his truthful
lyrics.He writes what he knows, hard work, learning through
experience, drinking cheap beer, and the larger meaning of life
(Morris). It is something the average person can relate to.He gets
his musical influence from his parents, anything from bluegrass to
Motown (Let's Sing it), and from artists such as Hank Williams Jr,
Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings. (MSN Entertaiment) A closer
look at the music
Wrote by himself You Make it Look So Easy Carolina Lightning I have
chosen three songs that Church wrote by himself,You Make it Look so
Easy, Carolina, and Lightning You Make it Look So Easy Written for
his wedding
First performance January 8, 2008 Very honest lyrics You make it
Look So Easy, was written by Eric Church for his wedding with
Katherine Blasingame.They were wed on January 8, 2008 in North
Carolina (CMT news). Church wasnt planning on writing a song for
his wedding.He believes love songs are over done and clichs.He
approached the song with honesty. He wanted to tell the truth about
her and him. He performed the song for the first time at his
wedding.It was the first time Katherine had heard the song from
start to finish. (Hump Head Country) You Make it Look So Easy is
included on his Carolina album, which was released on March 24,
2009 by Capitol Nashville (Eric Church) You Make it Look So Easy In
a glance Sounds like: Soft simple texture
Violins play the harmony and melody Guitar plays a softer rhythm
Sounds like: 0:00 The intro is played by violins in minor key, in a
simple meter 1:07 Chorus; a crescendo occurs, changing the dynamic
of the song. The guitar plays the rhythm the violins pick up the
melody.This leads to a very intense, powerful texture. 2:10-2:17
the harmony is played with minor chords by the violins 3:00 The
tempo of the music begins t slow down.The lyrics are repeated from
the first verse, to reiterate their importance. You Make it Look So
Easy 4:15 This song has a very soft, simple texture. It is played
through a mixture of violins, and Churchs guitar. The rhythm is
softer, while the melody and harmony lead the song. 0:00 The intro
is played by violins in minor key, using a simple meter (4/4 time)
0:23 The guitar starts playing in major key, continuing with a
simple meter but switching to 2/4 time. 0:32.Violins join the
guitar, playing in major, carrying the melody 0:37.The violins fade
out as the vocals being. The guitar begins to play the melody,
there is a soft sound of a shaker being played 1:07 Chorus; a
crescendo occurs, changing the dynamic of the song. The guitar
plays the rhythm the violins pick up the melody.This leads to a
very intense, powerful texture. 1:35 The violins present the
harmony in two chords.This softens the music in preparation to
transition back to the verse 1:59Second verse begins. The violin
resumes playing the melody.The guitar controls the rhythm 2:10-2:17
the harmony is played with minor chords by the violins 2:20
Pizzicato, leading into the chorus 2:23 Chorus begins, the song is
softened. It is attention grabbing The guitar plays the rhythm the
violins pick up the melody. 2:30 Crescendo leading into the main
part of the chorus. The violins are playing in minor key with
accidentals. The texture of this chorus is different then the
other.This texture is big, bold, and meaningful. 3:00 The tempo of
the music begins t slow down.The lyrics are repeated from the first
verse, to reiterate their importance. 3:32 Chorus; a crescendo
occurs, changing the dynamic of the song. The guitar plays the 3:58
Outro, the violins begin in major key but end in minor. Carolina
Title track of second album About home state, North Carolina
Lyrics about his life there Portrays the feeling of being homesick
Carolina is the title track of Eric Churchs second album, Carolina,
which was released on March 24, 2009 by Capitol Nashville. (Eric
Church) Church wrote this song about his home state, North
Carolina.It talks about real things from his home. (Hump Head
Country) The lyrics and music give a daunting feeling.It gives the
feeling of being homesick. Eric Church says about the song When I
sing that song, I am transported every night. (Hump Head Country)
Carolina In a glance Sounds Like: Begins as simple and easy
Increases to up-tempo, complex texture Bass plays rhythm, in
sixteenths Sounds Like: 0:01 No intro.It begins with the bass
playing the rhythm, and guitar playing the melody. The vocals begin
at the same time. The song has a strong, outdoors, manly feel. 0:43
Chorus The guitar, and lyrics contain a crescendo followed by a
diminuendo.A snare drum plays a triple on the second beat of the
bar. 2:16 The cymbals and snare drum play a crescendo into the
chorus.The snare drum switches to playing a triple on the second
beat of the bar.The bass plays in sixteenths. Cymbals change the
increase the dynamic. This songs dynamic and texture varies through
out the song.It begins as simple and easy.It slowly increases to a
more up-tempo, complex texture.The song is played in a simple
meter.The bass carries the beat throughout the song playing in
sixteenths. 0:01 This song does not have an intro.It begins with a
strong bass playing the rhythm, and guitar playing the melody.The
vocals begin at the same time.The bass gives the song an
interesting texture.The song has a strong, outdoors, manly feel.
0:21 The bass plays the beat. The piano takes over playing the
melody. The vocals blend nicely with the strong bass, and light
guitar. 0:43 Chorus The guitar, and lyrics contain a crescendo
followed by a diminuendo.A snare drum plays a triple on the second
beat of the bar. 1:09 Crescendo with the addition of cymbals to end
the chorus, and lead into a short bass and vocal bridge 1:24 Second
verse begins with the bass playing the beat.The drum is carrying a
basic rock rock beat, snare on 2 and 4. The dynamic of the song
increases with the addition of the rock rhythm. A violin plays
small harmonic chords though out the verse. 2:16 The cymbals and
snare drum play a crescendo into the chorus.The snare drum switches
to playing a triple on the second beat of the par.The bass plays in
sixteenths. Cymbals change the increase the dynamic. Carolina,
Sounds like continued
2:58 guitar solo in major key 3:09 Repeat chorus. The bass plays in
sixteenths, harmonic chords are played by the piano. The dynamic is
not as intense as in the previous choruses 3:36 The bass continues
to play sixteenths, while the piano plays the melody. The cymbals
add a strong feel while playing on the second beat of every bar.
4:21 Outro begins.All instruments fade expect the bass playing the
rhythm and what sounds like a chord on the violin. 2:37 A short
vocal and bass bridge into a short guitar solo 2:58 guitar solo in
major key 3:09 Repeat chorus. The bass plays in sixteenths,
harmonic chords are played by the piano. The dynamic is not as
intense as in the previous choruses 3:24 Lyrics repeat O Carolina,
Carolina.. with a crescendo, building in intensity, ending with
cymbal 3:36 The bass continues to play sixteenths, while the piano
plays the melody. The cymbals add a strong feel while playing on
the second beat of every bar. The lyrics keeping calling me home,
Carolina, Carolina are repeated. 4:21 Outro begins.All instruments
fade expect the bass playing the rhythm and what sounds like a
chord on the violin but could very well be on an electric keyboard.
Lightning Wrote shortly after moving to Nashville
Inspiration came from The Green Mile Death row story Depicts
prisoner's sadness and remorse Lead to record deal Debut album,
Sinners Like Me Eric Church wrote Lightning shortly after moving to
Nashville.His inspiration to write about the last day of death row
inmates came from the movie The Green Mile. (Bauman, Eric Church -
Sinners Like Me) At the end of the movie the electric chair is
referred to as lightning, which he found an interesting reference
(Morris). Church not only tells the story of how the prisoner got
there but also depicts his sadness and remorse. Church believes
this song is what got him his publishing deal and knows it is what
got him the record deal (Morris). Lightning is the oldest song on
Churchs debut album Sinners Like Me. Capitol Records released it on
July 18, (Eric Church) Lightning In a glance Sounds Like: Emotional
texture
Guitar rhythm with piano melody Texture allows you to feel the
emotion Sounds Like: 0:00 The intro is in minor key. It has a
sobering texture.The intro is played using a simple meter 0:32
Church starts vocals.The guitar begins to play the rhythm.The piano
is faintly playing the melody.The song is now played in a triple
meter 1:14 Chorus; bass takes over the melody, guitar and drums to
play the rhythm. 2:02 second verse begins.The drums and guitar play
the rhythm. The melody is played by the piano. Lightning 5:14 mins
This song is full of emotion, which the texture presents well.The
way the strong guitar rhythm and softer piano melody blend together
presents a daunting feeling.The texture makes you feel the lyrics,
feel the sadness and pain. 0:00 The intro is played in minor key by
an electric keyboard and piano.It has a sobering texture.The intro
is played using a simple meter 0:21 The guitar begins playing in
minor key, with the piano.The piano carries the melody.The texture
can be described as soft yet haunting. 0:32 Church starts
vocals.The guitar begins to play the rhythm.The piano is faintly
playing the melody.The song is now played in a triple meter 1:14
Chorus; a deep bass takes over the melody, leaving the guitar and
drums to play the rhythm. 1:54 Bridge, the drums carry the rhythm
during the bridge.The piano plays two sharp notes. 2:02 second
verse begins.The drums and guitar still play the rhythm. The melody
is played by the piano. The song remains in triple meter.
Lightning, Sounds like Continued..
4:00 The vocals pause, as to imitate the death of the prisoner.The
piano ascends softly to nothing 4:50 The outro begins. The drums
slowly stop, as do the piano.The lyrics slowly fade 5:02-5:14
Electric Keyboard finishes the outro, presenting an eerie feeling
2:46 Chorus; a deep bass takes over the melody, leaving the guitar
and drums to play the rhythm. 3:27 Third verse begins. The verse is
played in triple meter.The guitar carries the rhythm while the
piano holds the melody. 3:55 chorus 4:00 The vocals pause, as to
imitate the death of the prisoner.The piano ascends softly to
nothing 4:04 The vocals resume, with the line now I am flying.It is
played in a triple meter 4:50 The outro begins. The drums slowly
stop, as do the piano.The lyrics slowly fade 5:02 Guitar stops
5:02-5:14 Electric Keyboard finishes the outro, presenting an eerie
feeling Works Cited Bauman, Sue. Eric Church - Carolina. 7 June
2013 . . Eric Church - Sinners Like Me. 7 June 2013 . CMT news. CMT
news: Church Marries. 15 January June 2013 . Eric Church.
Carolina-Eric Church. 15 June 2013 . . Sinners Like Me - Eric
CHurch. 15 June 2013 . Fabian, Shelly. Eric Church Biograpghy. 7
June 2013 . Hump Head Country. Eric Church - Carolina Album. 7 June
2013 . Jam Base. Eric Church, Bio, History, Info. 7 June 2013 .
Works Cited Let's Sing it. Eric Church Biography. 27 Sept June 2013
. Metro Lyrics Academy of Country Music. 2 April June 2013 .
Morris, Edward. CMT News. 2 August June 2013 MSN Entertaiment. 7
June 2013 . Ruhlnamm, William. Eric Church Music Biography. 7 June
2013 .