Country singer Eric Church performs at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., on March 18, 2011. Mr. Church is the top nominee, with seven nominations, for the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2013. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)
Country singer Eric Church performs at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., on March 18, 2011. Mr. Church is the top nominee, with seven nominations, for the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2013. (AP Photo/Ed Rode)
Eric Church is seen backstage holding the award for album of the year at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Eric Church performs during the CMT Music Awards. He is the lead nominee at Thursday’s Country Music Association Awards in Nashville. In 18 months, the outsider’s relationship with the Music City machine has turned upside-down. (Associated Press)
**FILE** Country singer Eric Church performs March 18, 2011, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press)
**FILE** Country singer Eric Church performs March 18, 2011, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press)
Eric Church is nominated for five CMA awards, including album of the year, the first major nominations of his career. “I think it’s a testament to really fans that believed in the music and loved the music and told people about the music,” Mr. Church says of his success. (Associated Press)
Eric Church is nominated for five CMA awards, including album of the year, the first major nominations of his career. “I think it’s a testament to really fans that believed in the music and loved the music and told people about the music,” Mr. Church says of his success. (Associated Press)
Country star Eric Church will host an online contest in conjunction with the premiere of "Mixtape" on CMT. (Invision via Associated Press)
