Bobby Karl Works The Room: Eric Church Exhibit Opens At Hall Of Fame

Chapter 674

You read it here first: Eric Church will be a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The museum’s CEO Kyle Young said so last night (July 12): “He will be in here one day,” Kyle said while standing in the Hall of Fame Rotunda.

“I have immense respect for this room we’re in,” said Eric. “I’m honored to be here….The people I love and respect are here.”

The occasion was the opening reception for the museum’s new exhibit “Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul.” It is a career retrospective for one of country music’s most gifted contemporary artists. Church is one of the few of his generation who matches immense popularity with universal critical acclaim.

“Whenever I make a new record, I envision all my favorite albums on a wall. And I ask myself if this one I’ve just made is worthy to be hung there with them. If you look abound this room, a lot of those artists are here,” Church added, referring to the Hall of Fame plaques displayed in the Rotunda.

“This is an unbelievable honor for me.”

“It’s a pleasure to welcome you to this hallowed place,” said Kyle. “It’s a pleasure to introduce you to our latest exhibit….Eric Church has shown himself to be an artist of vision and of staying power.” He described Eric as, “uncompromising, bound and determined to do things his own way….going against the grain.” Oh, that’s when he also predicted again that Eric would one day be a Country Music Hall of Fame member. Which is indisputably the truth. I have been in the Church Choir.

The Rotunda was packed. Spotted in the throng working the room were Sarah Trahern, Tim Wipperman, Joanna Carter, Jim Horn, Jim Horner (I know, I know, they were even seated at the same table), Paul Kingsbury, Michael P. Heeney, Seab Tuck, Mike Dungan, Lisa Purcell, Mike Molinar, Derek Kupisch, Scott Perry and Walter Campbell.

Former Nashville Public Library chief Kent Oliver reported that he’s now working with the American Library Association on intellectual freedom issues. Manager Scott Adkins is pushing The Return of Tanya Tucker, a documentary out now on all platforms. Her upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame is also bound to be a busy time for him. Another client, Bill Anderson, will celebrate on July 22 when he becomes the longest tenured Grand Ole Opry cast member in history.

Meanwhile, attendee Tony Gottlieb is launching Melody Place Records with business partner Sandy McGraw. The label will likely be the home of an all-star duets project using vocal tracks left by the late Dan Seals. Its roster also includes Sara Evans and Jackie Evancho, the young America’s Got Talent alumnus.

The cocktail supper featured shots of, naturally, Eric Church’s spirit, Whiskey JYPSI. Which was quite excellent. Very smooth. We also had roast beef medallions with horseradish, kettle chips with pimento cheese (and Mt. Olive Relish), roasted squash and eggplant slices, blackened chicken on sweet-potato rounds with salsa verde and raw veggies with sour cream. The bread pudding with Krispy Creme Donut holes was a particular crowd pleaser. The wait staff circulated with shrimp & cream cheese skewers, watermelon & mozzarella spoonfuls and BBQ & slaw on corn cakes, plus the whiskey shots.

The schmoozing had reached fever pitch by the time Kyle and Eric welcomed everyone.

“Enjoy the exhibit,” said Eric. “I’m gonna come and hang out with you.” True to his word, the star toured the exhibit with the rest of us, patiently posing for photos with attendees.

“Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul” officially opens today at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.