Eric Church Celebrates First Career No. 1 with 

"Drink In My Hand"

Photo: Ann-Marie Hensley

Nashville, Tenn. (January 16, 2012) – EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Church kicks off the new year with a career first – “Drink In My Hand” from his critically acclaimed album, CHIEF, topping the Country radio charts.  The number one single joins a string of career firsts and accolades for Church including his first GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album of the Year, CHIEF debuting at the top of the Billboard Top 200 and spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Country albums chart, a Gold certification by the RIAA forCHIEF after only 10 weeks, the ACM Award for New Solo Vocalist of the Year and the announcement of his first arena headline tour - The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour.

"This is the 10th single we have released to radio," explains Church. "It is truly the greatest example of belief, dedication, determination and plain old hard work that we have achieved this milestone.  I can't thank the EMI staff and country radio enough for making this happen and believing in the music, but  the real gratitude must go to our fans.  I've heard countless stories from hundreds of fans of how they have gone above and beyond to get our songs heard and demand that people pay attention to what's going on in our world.  I can't think of a better way to kick off a tour!"

CHIEF has been recognized as one of the Top Albums of 2011 by Rob Harvilla’s SPIN List, NPR, Rolling Stone and Amazon.  iTunes named Church 2011 Country Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

For more information check out  www.ericchurch.com.

Eric Church's Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, with Brantley Gilbert hits Cape Girardeau, MO Friday night, January 20, and St. Louis on April 20 at the Chaifetz Arena.