Eric Church, ‘Springsteen’ Gets a Platinum Celebration

Eric Church certainly has plenty of reasons to celebrate. The 34-year-old saw his latest CD, Chief, debut the top of the charts and become his first platinum-selling album. Chief also spawned two No. 1 singles -- "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen," which became his first platinum-selling single. The North Carolina native took time out last night (July 30) to toast those who have helped make the past year so remarkable.

"I just want to say that there are moments in your life when you want to pause and go, 'Is this my life?' And this is one of 'em," Eric noted. "It's been an unreal year, from coming out with 'Springsteen,' and 'Drink in My Hand' before that. Just the passion that I've seen internally, in this town, people that heard the record. A lot of people were already believers, and then some people heard Chief and they were all in. The passion that I've seen from everybody is something that is always what we try to look for, whether it's in a crowd, or a crew member, band member, organization, label -- passion. And I can tell you I have, unequivocally, the best team around me. The best management team and best label in town. I have the best band and crew, the best booking agent, the best support staff, songwriters. I'd like to believe, that that's the case because it's about the music."

Eric was presented with several gifts, including a plaque, platinum sunglasses and a bottle of Jack Daniels with a platinum label -- the first the whiskey company has ever made. "It just fills my heart up in situations like this," he said in appreciation. "The fact that we all believe in something and it got to this level is a testament to sticking to your guns and believing in the music. To everybody up here and everybody in this crowd, I could never express what you guys mean to me, but I love you all, and thanks for the whiskey most of all."

The singer-songwriter is grateful that "Springsteen" was so well-received by fans, especially because of his own feelings about the artist. "I have such a reverence for Bruce Springsteen's career and how he's built it," Eric told The Boot. "The interesting part is it's a love affair that takes place in an amphitheater between two people. It didn't happen with Springsteen, ironically, it happened with another artist. I went to a concert when I was younger with a girl, and to this day when I hear that artist, it's the soundtrack to that girl. I never think about her any other time, except when that song is on. That's where the 'Springsteen' came from, and he seemed to be the perfect guy to craft that story around because of my love for him."

Eric will continue his Blood, Sweat & Beers tour this Friday (Aug. 3) with a show in Wisconsin. Keep track of his tour dates here.