Episode #510 Summary: Eric Church on Ownership Calls from Michael Jordan, Collaborations with Morgan Wallen, and Navigating Musical Challenges

Release Date: May 7, 2025
Podcast: The Bobby Bones Show
Host: Bobby Bones
Guest: Eric Church

1. Introduction and Overview

In Episode #510 of The Bobby Bones Show, host Bobby Bones sits down with renowned country artist Eric Church. The conversation spans Eric's multifaceted career, including his unexpected invitation from Michael Jordan to join the NBA Hornets ownership group, his business partnership with Morgan Wallen in revitalizing the Field & Stream brand, and the near-miss experience of being dropped by his label over a controversial song.

2. Joining the NBA Hornets Ownership Group

Eric Church reveals how he received a surprising call from Michael Jordan to become part of the NBA Hornets ownership group. Reflecting on the significance, Bobby notes:

Bobby Bones [05:07]: "Because it is Michael Jordan, the greatest athlete or pop culture sports figure in our lifetime... Michael Jordan played for North Carolina."

Eric explains the rationale behind Jordan's invitation, emphasizing the desire for local representation:

Eric Church [05:38]: "MJ goes, hey, I want you to be involved with the Hornets ownership group. I was like, what does that mean?... He said, I want North Carolina presence."

Eric discusses the responsibilities involved, including participating in draft decisions and contributing to a three to five-year plan to build the team.

3. The Path to Musical Success and "Evangeline vs. The Machine"

Bobby delves into Eric's latest album, Evangeline vs. The Machine, highlighting its creative depth and the stories behind its songs. Eric shares insights about his songwriting process and the album's thematic focus on creativity battling mechanization.

Eric Church [17:43]: "the juxtaposition of what this is. Let's take a quick pause for a message from our sponsor."

Eric elaborates on the inspiration behind key tracks like "Johnny" and how personal experiences, such as the Covenant shooting, influenced his songwriting:

Eric Church [20:55]: "I was thinking about Johnny, rawsing up your bow and play your fiddle hard... so I wrote Johnny."

4. The Home Shopping Network Story: Advocacy Over Sales

A pivotal moment in the interview is Eric's recounting of his time working for the Home Shopping Network, where he was fired for refusing to press knife sales to distressed callers. Bobby highlights Eric's integrity:

Bobby Bones [17:38]: "What's up with the name of the record? Evangeline versus the Machine."

Eric defends his actions, emphasizing the importance of advocacy over sales:

Eric Church [17:33]: "I was advocating for that, dude. They didn't like that Shopping at Home. They fired me."

This experience underscores Eric's commitment to doing what he believes is right, even at personal cost.

5. Navigating the Nashville Music Scene

Eric discusses his move to Nashville to pursue songwriting, detailing the challenges he faced in the heavily competitive environment. He reflects on the importance of perseverance and learning from live performances:

Eric Church [09:52]: "All of that is what allows you to get to a different place and grow."

Bobby and Eric explore the transformation from struggling artist to acclaimed musician, highlighting the grind of early career stages.

6. Collaborations and Business Ventures with Morgan Wallen

Shifting gears, Eric shares his venture into business with fellow country star Morgan Wallen. Together, they undertook the ambitious project of reacquiring and revitalizing the Field & Stream brand. Eric emphasizes the nostalgic and cultural significance of the brand:

Eric Church [38:20]: "It's an old. It's the O.G. yes. 1871."

The partnership focuses on bringing back the magazine and unifying the brand under one roof, preserving its legacy and modernizing its offerings.

7. Advocacy Work: Building Permanent Housing in North Carolina

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Eric's philanthropic efforts. In response to Hurricane Helene, Eric spearheaded a project to build permanent housing for affected families in North Carolina. He outlines the project's goals to provide not just temporary relief but a sustainable path to homeownership:

Eric Church [50:12]: "We started trying to see, can we do this ourselves... so we started trying to see, can we do this ourselves."

Bobby commends the initiative as a scalable model for disaster response:

Bobby Bones [51:59]: "Is this a template that other areas can use?"

Eric affirms, highlighting the project's focus on long-term solutions and community stability:

Eric Church [52:05]: "Yes. That's the whole purpose."

8. The Importance of Live Music and Embracing Imperfection

Echoing his earlier sentiments, Eric underscores the irreplaceable value of live performances in fostering growth and authenticity. He shares anecdotes of experiments gone wrong on stage, emphasizing the learning opportunities they present:

Eric Church [34:36]: "Jazz is cool, but it just didn't really work, you know?"

Bobby relates this to his own experiences in stand-up, agreeing on the importance of resilience and adaptability.

9. Reflections on Career Evolution and Advocacy

As the conversation winds down, Eric reflects on how his career has naturally evolved into one of advocacy and community support. He attributes this shift to his position of influence and the desire to make meaningful changes beyond music:

Eric Church [53:43]: "No, I think a lot of that is you... it's the position."

Bobby acknowledges the transformation of the "Eric Church brand" from solely musical prowess to one of genuine care and social responsibility:

Bobby Bones [57:17]: "The Eric Church brand now has turned into somebody who cares."

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Bobby and Eric wrap up the episode by celebrating Eric’s multifaceted contributions to music, business, and community advocacy. Bobby commends Eric for making a tangible difference:

Bobby Bones [58:15]: "You're making a difference, man. That's the coolest thing that I could say about somebody making a difference. So thanks."

Eric expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his journey and ongoing projects, reinforcing his commitment to positive change.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Eric Church [05:07]: "The majority owners... all the decisions we're making revolve around draft picks... it's the game we play right now."

• Eric Church [17:43]: "The juxtaposition of what this is. Let's take a quick pause for a message from our sponsor."

• Eric Church [20:55]: "I wrote Johnny because of that moment... it's a creative museum, that song."

• Eric Church [34:36]: "Jazz is cool, but it just didn't really work, you know?"

• Eric Church [50:12]: "We started trying to see, can we do this ourselves... so we started trying to see, can we do this ourselves."

• Eric Church [52:05]: "Yes. That's the whole purpose."

• Bobby Bones [57:17]: "The Eric Church brand now has turned into somebody who cares."

Final Thoughts

Episode #510 offers an in-depth look into Eric Church's dynamic career and personal commitments. From high-profile business ventures and creative musical endeavors to heartfelt community advocacy, Eric exemplifies the blend of artistry and altruism. Listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs that shape a modern musician dedicated to making a lasting impact both on and off the stage.