Published: August 15, 2008 11:52 am      

Uphill Climb

For country newcomer Eric Church, criss-crossing nation best way to connect with fans

MCHENRY - The cost of touring may be increasing, but to Eric Church, it is worth it to play for the crowds and get his music out to the public.

"Really, it's where we've had uniqueness," Church said. "We're able to tour, able to go do it. I understand it can be hard, really hard at times, but I think you're working against yourself. I don't know how you can't go play in front of people and make fans."

Church will perform at the Garrett County Fair today at 8 p.m. at the race track. He said he enjoys getting to play at fairs, and that is one of the best ways to introduce people to his music.

He enjoys the opportunity to go and sample the food as well. Having grown up in a small town, he said he is accustomed to the fair environment and that while there, it gives him the opportunity to talk with people.

Traveling and doing tours is becoming more and more rare as gas prices and other costs continue to increase, Church said. He said that a number of groups don't do tours until they have gotten plenty of radio play, but he feels that you do tours until you get the success and then keep on going. He feels that is how a band gets fans and gets its music known.

You can expect to hear his three top 20 country hits, "How 'Bout You," "Two Pink Lines" and "Guys Like Me." Church said it is rare for him to do a well-known cover song at any performance, he'd rather do a more obscure song in hopes it would familiarize other people with a song or musician that he enjoys and respects.

While he says he loves country music, his influences growing up were diverse.

"My dad loved Motown and my mom loved older country and bluegrass," Church said. "I grew up in the middle of weird genres, in terms of extremes, and I had a big playground in the middle. Around my house, it was hard to get away from country music, but it was the '80s. I was there when Metallica came up, when AC/DC came up."

Church said an AC/DC concert showed him the impact a live performance can have on both the fans and the band.

As a performer, he said that sometimes the crowd is what makes the difference from being bored with playing the same songs night after night, show after show.

"Sometimes you get tired of them," he said, "but one of the great things about live shows is there's always someone out there who's never heard them before. You may not want to get out on stage some nights. It's the crowd that brings it out. Half a song in and the crowd grabs you and pulls you in."

Church added that the fact that he has a new album, "Carolina," to come out later this year helps with live performances as it gives the band and himself more to play.

Though it will be the first time for him to play in Garrett County, he said he is looking forward to performing. He said that he just asks that the people "come out and participate."

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.