Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • In the News
  • Research & Creative Works
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • In the News
  • Research & Creative Works
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Country singer sums up recent success as ‘almost surreal’

View larger image

A 2000 graduate of Appalachian, Eric Church won Album of the Year from the Country Music Association and Song of the Year from the American Country Awards in 2012. The country star grew up in Granite Falls, N.C., about 40 miles from his alma mater. Photo by John Peets

View larger image

Photo by Jeff Mintline

View larger image

A 2000 graduate of Appalachian, Eric Church won Album of the Year from the Country Music Association and Song of the Year from the American Country Awards in 2012. The country star grew up in Granite Falls, N.C., about 40 miles from his alma mater. Photo by John Peets

By David Menconi
Posted Feb. 28, 2013 at 7:17 p.m.

Country singer Eric Church’s trademark onstage attire didn’t come from image-mongering but necessity. The Appalachian State University alumnus kept losing contact lenses and needed something over his eyes, and also something to soak up the sweat. Shades and a ball cap worked just fine—and a look was born.

“Over time, it got to be like an athlete putting on a uniform, and almost not the same show if I didn’t have them on,” said Church, who graduated in 2000 with a degree in business. “I’m always who I am, but when those go on, it’s showtime. It’s a good way to focus.”

View larger image

Photo by Jeff Mintline

Church hadn’t yet hit on The Look when he was at Appalachian in the late ‘90s, although he was already well into the live-show slog. By the time he was a junior, Church was playing five nights a week and not sleeping much.

“There were a lot of nights when I’d be driving up the mountain at 4 a.m. when I had an 8 o‘clock class,” he says. “I remember writing papers and homework at the 24-hour Waffle House on (Hwy.) 321 in Lenoir, then coming into class with hash brown and ketchup stains on the paper. I’d still not been to bed, and the professors knew what I was doing. It about killed me, but it’s fun to look back on now.”

View larger image

Photo by Jim Sutter

View larger image

Photo by John Peets

View larger image

Photo by Jim Sutter

Church went to Nashville after graduation and had some country-chart success before exploding as one of the genre’s biggest crossover stars in 2012. He won the Country Music Association’s Album of the Year award for his 2011 release “Chief,” which also made year-end lists from the alternative-rock magazine Spin (which called Church “hard to love and absolutely worth the effort”) and National Public Radio while picking up two Grammy nominations.

Truly, Church has become the cool country guy for rockers to like. The heavy-metal band Metallica invited him to play its Orion Music + More Festival last summer. And after hearing Church’s “Springsteen,” Bruce Springsteen sent a fan letter.

View larger image

Photo by John Peets

“He said he’s a big fan, so is his family, congratulations, hope we cross paths, things like that,” Church says. “Now THAT was amazing, because I never thought a guy like that would even know I’m alive. It kind of sums up the year we’ve had, almost surreal.”

Eric Church - Creepin'
Eric Church - Smoke A Little Smoke
Eric Church - Springsteen

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Related links

  • Walker College of Business
  • The Arts at Appalachian
Where can an App State degree take you?
Where can an App State degree take you?

Anywhere you want to go! Appalachian State University generates passionate and engaged alumni, who become leaders in their communities and chosen professions. They exemplify how an App State education can and does make the world a better place.

Learn more

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities

Other Recent Posts

  • Dr. Heather Norris installed as 8th chancellor of App State
    Dr. Heather Norris installed as 8th chancellor of App State
  • App State and regional artists channel Helene’s impact into creative works of hope and healing
    App State and regional artists channel Helene’s impact into creative works of hope and healing
  • High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26
    High-quality academics, innovation and value secure App State’s spot among America’s top schools for 2025–26
  • App State spotlights achievements in research, scholarship and creative activities
    App State spotlights achievements in research, scholarship and creative activities
  • CFA affiliation gives App State students a professional advantage for future finance careers
    CFA affiliation gives App State students a professional advantage for future finance careers
  • App State advances community-driven research for recovery and resilience
    App State advances community-driven research for recovery and resilience
  • Answering the call: How the Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps supported the Helene response
    Answering the call: How the Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps supported the Helene response
  • App State honors legendary coach John Weaver with plaza at Randy Marion Track and Field Facility
    App State honors legendary coach John Weaver with plaza at Randy Marion Track and Field Facility
  • App State alumni Preston Powell ’01 and Adam Scherer ’01 invest in students, Helene recovery through local business
    App State alumni Preston Powell ’01 and Adam Scherer ’01 invest in students, Helene recovery through local business
  • What made Hurricane Helene a historic storm?
    What made Hurricane Helene a historic storm?
  • 21,798 Mountaineers enroll at App State for fall 2025
    21,798 Mountaineers enroll at App State for fall 2025
  • Brad Cooper, CPA, CGMA, appointed chief financial officer at App State
    Brad Cooper, CPA, CGMA, appointed chief financial officer at App State

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • In the News
  • Research & Creative Works
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat