On Eric Church Canceling Concert to Attend NCAA Basketball Game
In an unprecedented move—and from a guy who is otherwise known for hard touring, electrifying performances, and taking care of his fans above everything else—Eric Church has chosen to cancel a show scheduled for Saturday, April 2nd at San Antonio’s AT&T Center, and with the excuse that he wants to attend a basketball game.
Granted, perhaps this isn’t any basketball game. Fierce college basketball rivals the Duke Blue Devils will be taking on the North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA Final Four for a spot in the College Basketball championship game. It is the first time in Final Four history the two teams will square off against each other. Though not an alum of either school (Church attended Appalachian State), he is from North Carolina, and is a big Tar Heels fan.
Nonetheless, to cancel such a massive concert event to attend a basketball game is pretty extraordinary, and many ticket holders are not happy about it. At all. As one fan said, “$800 airfare for two from Miami to Austin, $950 car rental, $500/night hotel on the river in San Antonio, $2000 for 2 front row tickets (second time) all for naught. I hope North Carolina wins for your sake. I’m beyond disappointed. Damn bro.”
What makes it worse is that it’s happened on such short notice, and Church didn’t reschedule or postpone the event, he just cancelled it outright. As illustrated above, numerous ticket holders planning to be there were flying in for the event, traveling from long distances, booked hotel rooms, planned vacation time around it, made sitting arrangements for their kids, and other non-cancel-able, non-refundable commitments, especially since the concert is in a destination city in San Antonio.
An email from Eric Church sent to ticket holders on Tuesday stated,
This Saturday, my family and I are going to stand together to cheer on the Tar Heels as the team has made it to the Final Four.
As a lifelong Carolina basketball fan, I’ve watched Carolina and Duke battle over the years but to have them matchup in the Final Four for the first time in history of the NCAA Tournament is any sports enthusiast dream.
This is also the most selfish thing I’ve ever asked the Choir to do: to give up your Saturday night plans with us so that I can have this moment with my family and sports community. However, it’s that same type of passion felt by the people who fill the seats at our concerts that makes us want to be part of a crowd at a game of this significance.
Woody Durham always said, “Go where you go and do what you do,” thanks for letting me go here and be with the Tar Heels.”
In 2017, Chris Stapleton postponed eight shows after he broke a critical finger on his picking hand, and fans were disappointed then, and questioned if the move was warranted. And again, those were postponements, not outright cancellations. Eric Church has earned a lot of social capital with his “Church Choir” over the years by taking care of them, and some will come to his defense with his characterization of this as a “family moment.”
But Eric Church fans left holding the bag in San Antonio have a right to be angry, and the situation takes a significant step in a perilous direction where privileged entertainers can cancel events on a whim to serve their own purposes as opposed to making hard working fans who’ve paid good money to see their favorite artists perform their priority. Massive stars like Eric Church are given opportunities average music fans can only dream of. Missing things like basketball games is a minor penance they have to pay to fulfill their performing commitments.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, cancelling concerts, dropping out of festivals, and postponing tours was strongly discouraged throughout the music industry, except for in extreme cases, like a death in one’s family, or serious illness. If an artist cancelled, it could be seen as catastrophic to their careers, and artists regularly took the stage even when seriously ill to fulfill their commitments. As the old saying goes, “The show must go on,” and artists that didn’t go on got bad reputations. See George “No Show” Jones.
Since the pandemic though, promoters, venues, and fans seem to have a lot more stomach for cancellations, which perhaps is a good thing to some extent for musicians that a lot is expected of. But the sort of laissez-faire approach to fulfilling your concert dates by some performers post pandemic has now made fans making plans to see their favorite artists more perilous.
As venues and some artists complain about the slow progress of fans returning to full capacity, part of it is driven by apprehension by fans worried something may be cancelled right out from under them, just like Eric Church did to some 18,000 fans in San Antonio.
In 2020, Eric Church was named the CMA Entertainer of the Year in large part due to the type of precedent he set as a live performer. Hopefully, he’s not setting an example his peers will follow with this move. Otherwise, it could erode the trust the public has that when they rearrange their lives and spend their hard earned money on a ticket, that experience will ultimately be fulfilled.
March 29, 2022 @ 6:24 pm
I’m a big Church fan. And I can empathize with it probably being tough that he can’t do things on a whim like many other families could. But considering the planning it takes his fans to be able to GO to his show, this comes off really bad on him.
March 29, 2022 @ 6:28 pm
Selfish & self centered.
No excuse.
Believe me Mr. Church, integrity is important.
Have felt all along, that you were not in possession of it.
Do not wish you any ill will, but you child, have a lot of explaining to do the people you just screwed over.
March 31, 2022 @ 5:09 am
I would agree with you except: 1) instant automatic refund. 2) he explained the cancellation which is much more than other performers. 3) he’s not a slave or a machine. He isn’t providing you a service or product and you got your money back.
The ones being selfish are the ones who are angry they got their money back.
March 31, 2022 @ 8:09 am
“3) he’s not a slave or a machine. He isn’t providing you a service or product and you got your money back.”
: D Smiling.
You’re assuming that I bought a ticket to see Eric Church.
Good one, sweetheart.
Btw, love your handle, Asdf.
Stands for As dumb as f. ?
April 1, 2022 @ 8:12 am
Even though I like some of Eric Church’s music,
I usually switch stations when he comes on because in an interview several years ago he said something like …… he didn’t care what the older country music fans thought.
I don’t like talking bad about anyone, but I was offended.
March 31, 2022 @ 1:31 pm
Is the one guy getting refunded his airfare, hotel stay, rental car fee, and concert tickets? I mean, I’m sure San Antonio is a lovely city just to be in on a weekend, but I hear there will be a big basketball game on that might be better.
April 1, 2022 @ 7:53 pm
Thank you. I felt the same when Adele cancelled her Vegas residency (one where people paid as much as $10k for a ticket and were flying in from other countries). Just because she didn’t like the design of the set or whatever. Selfish and creepy.
April 1, 2022 @ 8:57 pm
@ Dee.
: D Did ya feel me thinking about you the last couple days – wondering where you at?
Hearing you loud & clear, Dee.
If i had put a couple thousand into tickets, flights, hotels (or gas, if decided to drive) i would have expended the time & energy to find Mr. Church and rip him a new one. Let him look me in the eye, & explain this slick little maneuver of his.
Inconveniencing 18,000 people.
How precious can one person get?
Unbelievable
April 1, 2022 @ 9:21 pm
Thanks! I’ve been good just really busy…
March 29, 2022 @ 6:36 pm
Surely the promotors would stand to lose tonnes of cash? How are they allowing it to happen.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:42 pm
I’m really surprised there isn’t some contractual obligation that requires Eric Church to play this show except for reasons of a legitimate emergency or physical impairment. Perhaps Church is big enough now he can strike that from the contract.
This doesn’t just affect the fans. The venue, the vendors, the employees, businesses operating around the neighborhood, they’re all out a big event. Tons of economic activity is stimulated by an arena concert like this.
March 30, 2022 @ 3:26 am
I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this. There may be some lawsuites flying before it’s all over.
When you book a venue, you do sign a contract to perform there except for unusual circumstances. A baskeball game does not fall under this and there’s a lot of money to be lost, unless Church is gonna be paying out of his pocket for losses.
FYI, Eric Church fans are now on notice. He’s lible to cancel a concert for anything. Think about that before going to too much trouble to attend one.
April 4, 2022 @ 11:23 am
Lmao I honestly haven’t listened to Eric Church since Chief or whatever that album was called but I’ve heard nothing but good things about his live shows. If you think one cancellation is going to have a cascade effect where hes going to start cancelling shows for whatever reason all of a sudden you really must be out of touch. Touch some grass.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:00 am
There is no chance there isn’t he isn’t breaking his contract. Maybe he is on good terms with the organizers and they will eat it, or he is fine with the lawsuit/settlement.
March 29, 2022 @ 6:38 pm
This is so crappy and bad for the industry.
Judge how you want, but we were supposed to see Brett young and Maddie and tae (which is really who my wife wanted to see) and it was cancelled a week before with no comments, message, anything and really left a bad taste in mouth. This is bad for the industry.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:44 pm
We never saw things like this before the pandemic. Cancellations were very rare, and a reason was always given. Then everything got cancelled, and I guess we’re all supposed to be thankful when a show actually goes down. The music industry is eroding trust in fans. I’ve been noticing this for a while and been meaning to write about it. This Eric Church example really takes the cake.
March 31, 2022 @ 5:17 am
Shows cancelled all the time before the pandemic. This is not new.
March 31, 2022 @ 7:26 am
There are way more cancellations after the pandemic, and for undisclosed or spurious reasons such as this. Not even close. Were there cancellations before the pandemic? Sure. But language was relaxed in contracts to deal with artists trying to return as the pandemic was dealing with variant waves, and now they’re taking advantage of that to cancel for low tickets sales, personal engagements, and in this case, basketball games. In the 36 hours since this story broke, I’ve yet to see anyone offer up a comparable circumstance to this.
April 1, 2022 @ 9:20 pm
It’s one thing if you cancel because you got covid or the flu and you just physically can’t do it, or your plane was hit by lightning and you had to make an emergency landing (as recently happened to Miley Cyrus). Barring stuff like that, there is no excuse. You have a responsibility to your fans, the promoters, the workers at the venue, etc.
March 31, 2022 @ 1:37 pm
Ten or more years ago, George Strait got sick and had to cancel a show here in Jacksonville. Well, the opening acts still went on, and every ticketholder was offered either a refund or the option to come back for the replacement concert date when George came back and fulfilled the concert. I, of course, went back for seconds.
March 29, 2022 @ 6:45 pm
What a horrible way to treat people. Especially the people who have put him in the financial position to pull a stunt like this.
Just an immature, self centered, selfish, uncaring act.
March 29, 2022 @ 6:49 pm
And this is why i bought a good ticket to see Jamey Johnson, this coming Friday.
Live close to the venue.
If the show doesn’t happen will take my ticket to the ticket window, & they can (and, will) hand me cash, which is what i gave them, last Wed.
Until people start having & maintaining integrity, will not pony up.
March 29, 2022 @ 6:54 pm
Be mad all you want, but I’m sure every one of you at some point has called in sick to work to do something for yourself. All Chief is doing is putting himself and his family first, ONCE.
Your tickets will be refunded and you can still make your trip and experience other things the city has to offer. If the biggest disappointment you have in life in a canceled concert, I envy you.
I’m also sure everyone of you has sung along when Chief has sung about “tomorrow I’m taking me fishing, hang a sign on the door of my life, tell the world that I’ve gone missing and won’t be back for a while […] gonna kick back and get high on the living part of life.”
That’s all he’s doing: he’s putting his family and his self first ONCE. Is it selfish? Maybe. But he’s earned the right to be selfish once. Your tickets will be refunded and, when you choose to travel for a concert, you run the risk that things happen.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:22 pm
“ when you choose to travel for a concert, you run the risk that things happen.”
Never, ever because the artist decided he has something better to do. He made an obligation to his fans.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:36 pm
From a post on Facebook:
“Imagine taking your kid to this game or to have the memory of seeing it with your dad, a life long fan. Memories with my dad are cherished; they will not last forever. He is giving that to his children this Saturday. To some it is just a basketball game. To diehard fans, it is the opportunity to END COACH K’s CAREER. To say you witnessed his last game, and he lost to UNC. Movies are made from events like this. Children tell their children about being in the stands to witness it. Have you ever spoken to a dying man? They tell you not of possessions and wants, but of the great experiences they had with their loved ones. The battles they won, the joy they shared, the love they lost. I will never begrudge anyone for creating time for their family. I would call off work to attend this game also. In essence, that’s what Eric did. The statement could have been handled better. Humility, grace, and humor would have lessened the reaction. He works hard; he deserves to play hard. I am sure he realized the consequences for cancelling the concert, but I respect him for his decision. We, as fans, love him because he is an outsider. He is unapologetically himself. I understand you may be inconvenienced, but please consider he is a husband and dad. He deserves to create a lasting impression on his family. We get the legacy, they deserve the man.”
So, yes, he has decided he has something better to do. To make a lifelong memory with his family.
Bravo to him.
March 30, 2022 @ 4:08 am
Oh please. Anyone or their publicist can spin out some sob story about how the messed up things they do are for “family” or “love” or some other sorry excuse. We all just saw a grown, wealthy celebrity assault another grown, wealthy celebrity on national TV and try to blame it on “love” and “family”. Will Smith is a bigger asshole than Church because he hit a man’s face rather than his wallet and time but they’re both assholes hiding behind a piss poor excuse for their behavior. Church is doing this for himself, not his family. Just like Smith hit Rock for himself and his wounded ego, not to defend a woman perfectly capable of responding appropriately herself.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:05 am
What about the aging grandpa who was going to take his grandson to this concert as a once-in-a-lifetime event?
March 30, 2022 @ 11:44 am
Oh ya? And what about the folks who were going to HIS show for those very reasons? Taking the boys before they head off to college? Taking your mom who just got diagnosed with cancer? You sound like you’re on his payroll. Stop with the whole “it’s about family” thing. It’s called planning. Period. These playoff dates are known well in advance. There is no reason why he should have scheduled the show to start with.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:26 pm
To be correct sherry a concert is planned well in advance where as a playoff game isn’t planned… any kind of tour that a musician does takes time for preparation… im pretty sure Erik church wasn’t aware that his team was playing in San Antonio till his team made the playoffs and if it’s the last 4 games I’m assuming that 4 games ago he didn’t know that Carolina was going to be in the playoffs or to what team they will be playing
March 31, 2022 @ 7:31 pm
The dates of the playoffs may be known, but the teams playing are not known until a week prior to those dates. Concerts are scheduled a year or more in advance.
March 31, 2022 @ 2:04 pm
I don’t know about you, but when I call in sick to work or take a personal day, I don’t inconvenience 18,000 people, plus lord knows how many vendors, venue staff, security detail, police, and who knows who else. Do you do that?
March 29, 2022 @ 7:46 pm
Exactly. When you have 18,000+ people depending on you, you man up unless you’re physically incapable, or have a more legitimate excuse than a round ball game.
March 30, 2022 @ 12:49 pm
Plus all the people working at the arena who are not going to get paid. Also the local restaurants are going to lose money. Restaurants and arena employees have already taken a 2 year hit from the pandemic.
You could understand if it was a sickness, disaster or tragedy (like what the Foo Fighters are going through).
There’s a saying “suit up and show up”, you make a commitment and honor that commitment.
March 29, 2022 @ 6:54 pm
Dierks canceled his concert here in Eugene, OR without any explanation, acknowledgment, or rescheduling of any kind. I don’t know if it was the venue (The University of Oregon), or him who was at fault but these cancellations without any reason/backup plans are insanely annoying.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:35 am
Dierks did the same here in the UK, just cancelled his Manchester date. No explanation, nothing.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:04 pm
That stinks. I felt burned like that when I bought a ticket to see Amythyst Kiah in New Hampshire recently. She deleted the date from her website, the venue deleted from theirs, and then I got an e-mail on the side as a purchaser. This was less than a week – just a few days out. No reason. Probably poor ticket sales and didn’t want to show.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:07 pm
“$800 airfare…$950 car rental…$500/night hotel…$2000 for 2 front row tickets” Eric Church is a fine performer, but $4250 is a huge, huge number.
I have sympathy for the spender, but not empathy, sorry.
March 29, 2022 @ 8:40 pm
never gone > 36 miles to see church live.
April 4, 2022 @ 11:25 am
They spent all that money and didn’t spend the extra ten bucks of insurance lol. Fail.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:08 pm
I’m not gonna be nice. Church is a piece of crap. While I have liked some of his music, I’ve never been a big fan because something seemed off about him. I have an acquaintance who went and saw him ain concert a week after I had seen George Strait. She said he just walked off the stage after his last song, no wave goodbye, no encore. Compare that with George who gave a great encore and made sure he thanked everyone for coming and acted like he really appreciated our being there. That’s country right there. So it doesn’t surprise me that Church did this but I’m sure his fans will still support him. And don’t go comparing him with Jones. This isn’t anything like that. Almost enough to make me pull for Duke, but no.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:22 pm
I’m not defending EFC cancelling this show, but I’ve been to 3 of his concerts and nobody gives more than him live. Last one in Charlotte was 3hrs with no intermission. All of his shows are at least 2.5 hrs.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:51 pm
One of the strange things about this story is how uncharacteristic of Eric Church this is. The guy’s whole crew and band have come down sick before, on multiple occasions, and he’s still moved mountains to make a show happen. I’ve written those stories. I’ve held him up as an example of an entertainer that “gets it” and puts his fans first. This incident doesn’t erase any of that, but it sure does put a dent in that reputation, and gives his detractors a ton of ammunition. People will be citing this whenever Eric Church’s name is spoken for years to come, like Jamey Johnson writing “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”
March 30, 2022 @ 3:25 pm
Well the night he was here he didn’t put on a good show. My friend had no reason to make it up. She had also went to the Strait concert and said it was far better. So maybe he just has bad days. That’s one thing but just canceling a week before, sorry that’s not right
March 31, 2022 @ 8:02 pm
George Strait cancelled a concert he had agreed to do for a charity I worked for. Because he won a CMA award. And decided he was too big to have to do charity shows anymore. Thank God for Merle Haggard who showed up with only a weeks notice and did the show!!
April 1, 2022 @ 2:32 pm
Exactly when was this. Was this before he became a big artist or after, makes a difference
March 29, 2022 @ 9:58 pm
Went to see Eric Church in Little Rock this past Saturday night. He walked on stage an hour and a half late. People in the audience were saying that was normal for him. Then, Mr. Church, why don’t you just say you’re starting your shows at 9:30 instead of 8:00? People could book babysitters for the right times and not have to leave before you even start playing. We could take our time eating dinner and not have to choke it down trying to hurry and beat the traffic. Get an opening act. Keep the crowd from getting restless. Just a suggestion. We can also just listen to your music on Spotify and skip the hassle of going to your live concert because we have to guess when you’ll be there. Live.
March 30, 2022 @ 5:20 am
This is my issue with his shows as well. Start close to on time at least.
March 30, 2022 @ 5:59 am
I’ve seen Eric Church 3 times in North Little Rock, the first 2 times he started around the correct time. I got to the venue about 7:30 and was able to skip the line, but there were people lined up around the block waiting to get into the arena (I was able to skip that line and get in). I was told that it was a ticket scanning issue on the part of the venue.
I don’t fault him for waiting to start until most of the people were in the building. How much blowback would he have gotten if half the people in attendance were outside waiting to get in for half the concert.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:08 pm
I’m completely shocked and dismayed. If I was a fan, and the concert-going type, I would never buy a concert ticket for his shows again.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:14 pm
That would be what any fan of his with common sense would do.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:22 pm
I’ll gladly buy tickets to see him again because the dude puts on a hell of a show.
He’s earned the right to say “just this once, I’m allowing myself to put this once-in-a-lifetime experience first.”
And if you can’t understand or accept that, then it’s you, not Church, who’s a piece of crap.
March 30, 2022 @ 3:33 am
Yep that surly makes some onw a peice of crap for wxpexting others to follow through on thier commitments. Im not sure of Church’s touring schedule, but I’m sure he doesn’t do morw than 30-50 shows a year. Tough job. He could have used the DVR like most of his fans would have had to do because they dont have the luxury of calling off work to watch some kids dribble a ball
March 30, 2022 @ 4:22 am
So are you in fact Eric Church or maybe someone paid by him? I hope so because if not this level of fanboy defense is downright embarrassing. Sometimes people you like can act like dicks. No need to paint over it. If you love the guy buy his music or maybe buy a ticket to a show that won’t happen and tell him to keep your money. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.
April 1, 2022 @ 4:17 am
I feel like a lot of the people here have never met someone from North Carolina, haha.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:34 am
“Once in a lifetime experience” to see two teams that play each other twice a year in the winter when concerts are much more sparse.
March 30, 2022 @ 3:34 pm
No it’s church that’s a piece of, crap. I’ve always, always kept my word if I sad I was going to do something. Lack of character and integrity but you go ahead and support this bad behavior. It’s why this country is messed up as it is.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:14 pm
I’ve never, ever heard of this happening. You used the word “unprecedented” a couple times in your article and it is unprecedented and shocking. Where are his handlers? Promoters? He just burned 18,000 people. Shocking.
I got burned 2x by a band that’s frequently covered on this site and I’ll never, ever buy tickets for them again and they had a better excuse than a basketball game.
Church shouldn’t schedule concerts during March Madness if he’s such a big fan. UNC and Duke are regular, blueblood participants in this tournament. It’s surprising they’ve never meet before this late in the tournament but was bound to happen.
I’ve never seen an artist blatantly flip the bird to his fans like this.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:54 pm
Maybe there is a comparable incident in the past, but racking my brain and searching the interwebs, I couldn’t find one. I really think the pandemic has made some feel that cancellations are just an acceptable part of the music industry, and Eric Church cancelling a show to go to a basketball game I fear could give other performers the pass to make similar moves in the future.
March 30, 2022 @ 12:44 pm
This was my thought exactly! If you’re such a big basketball fan that such a circumstance would cause you to cancel a show, maybe you…I dunno…don’t schedule a show for the Saturday of the Final Four (the date of which is known literally 4+ years in advance). Bizarre.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:17 pm
This is why i like real country music. Not this new wam bam crap. Went with my little girl to see Jimmy Fortune last Saturday night. Real country music. With some gospel also. From a real country music artist. When rich people get to big for for their britches. Sometimes the britches fall off.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:18 pm
I’ll gladly buy tickets to see him again because the dude puts on a hell of a show.
He’s earned the right to say “just this once, I’m allowing myself to put this once-in-a-lifetime experience first.”
And if you can’t understand or accept that, then it’s you, not Church, who’s a piece of crap.
Oh, and for the record, I’ve seen him live five times and he has always waved goodbye and thanked his fans for being there.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:11 am
Thank you for weighing in, Mrs. Church.
April 3, 2022 @ 9:01 pm
Jamey knows that is not his finest work. He’s laughed about it. As far as I know, Jamey rescheduled 2 shows last year because of laryngitis, not sports.
I can’t imagine Jamey’s fans feel upset he and his friends wrote a goofy song in his younger years. Eric Church might have lost a lot of fans or at least people willing to go to his concerts.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:19 pm
“thanks for letting me go here and be with the Tar Heels.”
As if the fans he fucked over were given a choice in the matter. I mean, damn, I’d have been pissed if I’d had a ticket to that show, and the AT&T Center is within walking distance of my house. I can’t imagine how all those folks feel who ponied up for airfare from far-flung locales and hotels on the River Walk. I get wanting to go to the game, but shit, maybe he should’ve worked to schedule the tour around that instead of canceling four days out. It’s quite unprofessional, really.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:23 pm
This is far from the most selfish thing I’ve ever said: If you’ve invested thousands to go see Eric Church, the joke was already on you.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:27 pm
I’m not a big Church fan, but he’s talented for sure. I see both sides of the coin on this, though. Sometimes you need some “me” time or family time. I support that. Fans may not like it, but it might be the thing he or his family needs right now. Don’t judge.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:14 am
There are 365 days in a year and he schedules his shows months in advance. He can take all the “me” time he wants and still give the fans what they want without bailing at the last minute. As someone else said, if the NCAA tournament is such a big deal to him he should just take every March off just in case.
March 29, 2022 @ 7:39 pm
Seems so out of character for Church, pretty disappointing.
I’ve been to three of his shows and they’re excellent, he certainly doesn’t treat his fans poorly like someone here heard. The guy practically plays three hours straight and is fully into it.
That said, I’ll hesitate to buy tix in the future. Colter dropped out of a festival in Ottawa a couple years ago the day of, and it sucked. Still saw Isbell and Church that day.
April 2, 2022 @ 9:59 am
Maybe “out of character” should show you how rare it is. I highly doubt this is the start of a pattern
March 29, 2022 @ 7:51 pm
I realize this is a major inconvenience and has put a lot of people out of considerable amounts of money, but unless you’re from North Carolina and part of this rivalry it’s hard to understand what a really really really really really big deal this basketball game is. A rescheduled/postponed concert is probably the better choice than an outright cancellation, but I can’t blame the guy for wanting to go support something he’s super passionate about. Basketball is a big deal in North Carolina, especially between these two schools, and regularly comes first when planning any kind of event.
As a side note, Eric Church gets game updates and scores relayed through his earpiece in between songs when there’s a UNC game going on during his concert. He’s been interviewed on the Carolina Insider podcast and is a really big fan. I’m glad he gets the opportunity to cheer on the Tar Heels in such a big moment. He gets it. I’d probably feel different if he was a Dookie. Go Heels!
March 29, 2022 @ 7:55 pm
Homeboy, you’re gonna wish one day,
That you were sittin’ in the stands watching the Tar Heels play.
March 29, 2022 @ 8:55 pm
At least he was honest. 99% of the time you never no why the show was canceled. What a man to tell the truth and to spend time with family doing something that’s a rare chance for them even better. Much respect EC.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:53 am
Shocked at the number of defenders posting comments. Evidently EC can do no wrong in fanatics eyes. Yes, he told the truth. Was that because he wanted to be honest. Of course not! He’s going to be on TV at the UNC/Duke game…certainly not unnoticed. He had to say where he was going.
This is not a “guy taking off work to go to a game”. This guy made a commitment to thousands of people (not just the fans, but also the vendors working the show, the restaurants around the venue, etc etc. ). The list is long.
He needs to keep in mind that the only reason he is able to jump on a plane and go sit in a VIP box to watch a basketball game with his family is becuase of the people he just pissed on.
Good riddance EC!
March 29, 2022 @ 8:56 pm
Just curious why staring the show at maybe noon an option? The game tips off at 8:30 in New Orleans and would be easy to make after the show. Could even have the show as late at 3pm and still make tip off.
March 29, 2022 @ 9:48 pm
That’s a pretty good suggestion, though I’m sure there’s logistical concerns that would go into that, especailly changing the time last minute. An example of this is a couple weeks ago, Luke Bryan made an early taped appearance at the ACM Awards, then hopped on a plane and performed at Rodeo Houston.
March 29, 2022 @ 9:07 pm
I have to say, what really surprises me is that Church was so blunt and honest to admit his purely personal, elective reason for cancelling the show. He could have been less forthright and announced that the show was being cancelled, due to a family emergency. I don’t think anyone would have challenged that.
Even if he were later spotted at the game, it would not have been highly covered (and attending to a family emergency would not necessarily preclude him from attending the game, anyway.)
As a non-Eric Church fan, I personally don’t care if and why he cancels a show, but I think it might have been better for his image and kinder to his fans to give a pretextual reason. I’m sure other artists and professionals have on occasion cancelled appearances for false reasons. (And many of us non-celebrities have feigned illness or told a “white lie,” at some time in our lives to get out of a commitment or turn down an invitation.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:17 am
He “didn’t care enough to even lie.” I’m sure that’s a line in a county song.
March 29, 2022 @ 10:08 pm
That is a total dick move. Wow.
March 29, 2022 @ 10:37 pm
Interesting angle in the article.It may be unprecedented. UNC and Duke have never met in the final 4 before, it’s Coach K’s final season. As a Carolinan that he is, it’s a historic, once in a lifetime opportunity to witness with his family. EC was one of the first to announce a major tour in the post pandemic era. As far as the selfish comments, check last October, he played the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh shows acoustic because his band had COVID. He paid all of his staff through the pandemic. One of his themes throughout his music is family first. This weekend is about that. He plays a solid 2.5-3.25 hrs at every concert. Just him, never a opener. Point me to another artist that does that live? He gives his all to his fans, every show. He has always told his eagle where to fly. That’s The Chief. I respectfully disagree with the selfish accusations.
March 29, 2022 @ 11:23 pm
“He gives his all to his fans, every show. He has always told his eagle where to fly. That’s The Chief. I respectfully disagree with the selfish accusations.”
Apparently, he doesn’t.
He has always told his eagle where to fly? Bad analogy.
The Chief? He is not a Chief.
An Indian looks to an eagle. Watches where if flies. Tracks it, to an extent. Does not tell the eagle where to fly. And certainly, respects it.
Eric Church is wrong for cancelling this show.
March 30, 2022 @ 12:07 am
@jf–UNC and Duke have never met in the NCAA tourney before. Strange, but true.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:06 am
Is he giving his all to his fans at this show? Answer carefully, because you said “every show”.
March 30, 2022 @ 11:42 am
Well Jason, be that as it may, the 18,000 people he just burned aren’t going to see him give anything, now are they? Are they supposed to be thrilled that he gave 100% to other people so that makes up for them missing his show? What about those people who had their once in a lifetime plans to see him? The family who were taking their kids for the first time, or the family who’s taking someone they know won’t live to see another concert? Or the husband who set up the whole weekend to surprise his wife with a gift? Apparently you think these people are supposed to accept this? I guess he’s more important than them? No. This is 100% wrong and he shouldn’t have planned anything on this day since the dates of the playoffs are known in advance.
April 3, 2022 @ 9:11 pm
Pretty sure he was an opener at one point in his career.
It might not be a popular opinion, but a lot of indie artists could be given 30 minutes out of his 2-3 hour show.
March 29, 2022 @ 11:40 pm
Yep. Bought tickets the day the became available with high anticipation of an incredible show. I am more than disappointed in the choice, still a fan, but not sure I would buy tickets again. For an emergency, I understand, but for entertainment???-That is what you were supposed to be providing for YOUR fans!
March 30, 2022 @ 12:36 am
Big fan of Church. This news surprises and disappoints me. Not fair on those that have made the plans and spent money to be there. Not good.
March 30, 2022 @ 12:59 am
I could of understood if it was covid , because the pandemic is still going on, or a family emergency, or if he were sick, OK. But NOT THIS. I mean seriously Eric, the ball game is something some one could DVR or you could watch it later on some streaming service, but the fans should come first in this case, I am a big eric church fan, and this is disappointing indeed.
April 2, 2022 @ 10:03 am
Plenty of Eric Church videos on YouTube. That’s no dumber comment than the one above
March 30, 2022 @ 1:27 am
Garth would never cancel a concert to be somewhere else.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:01 am
But Garth would certainly LIP SYNC!!! THAT is the crap that makes me lose respect for an entertainer. His road to fame is his voice. Church is at least honest about the reason behind cancelling the concert. God forbid he attends what’s likely a bucket list item for him and his family. Hotel reservations are refundable. Airfares can be rescheduled if not refunded also. Buy trip insurance! Book refundable rooms! You think he didn’t consider the number of fans he’d piss off by doing this?? And the fines/fees he’s likely having to pay to AT&T Stadium? If nothing else, everyone might just realize that they put this man up on a pedestal and he is human. Good grief.
March 30, 2022 @ 2:50 am
Unprofessional & diva-like behavior…you’re not Mariah Carey honey.
March 30, 2022 @ 4:01 am
This guy ain’t, no George Jones.
March 30, 2022 @ 10:24 am
at least George Jones had a good country excuse for missing shows…he was drunk or high. 🙂 but seriously, if you’re going to be big spending concert going fan, thems the brakes. these are humans you’re putting your faith in, and last i checked, humans can’t be trusted.
March 30, 2022 @ 4:10 am
Rich people are calling him selfish…mirror? Get over yourselves. The man wants to go to a once in a lifetime event. Which wasn’t decide who would play until last weekend. Probably poor taste on ECs parts but much worse taste not allowing the man to by human once in awhile.
March 30, 2022 @ 11:50 am
And how exactly do you know that “rich people” are calling him selfish? Maybe the people who forked out all the money saved and saved for it. Maybe this concert was a once in a lifetime opportunity for them. The playoff dates are known well in advance. If you are a passionate fan, you don’t schedule concert that weekend. You know, just in case your team makes it.
March 30, 2022 @ 12:19 pm
I forgot a comma after rich.
March 30, 2022 @ 4:17 am
His fans made him a millionaire. These are everyday people toiling in everyday jobs, spending their money on him. This is ridiculous. As someone said above, if college basketball is THAT important to him, why schedule concerts in March? This is not a good look.
March 30, 2022 @ 5:34 am
He shouldn’t have scheduled concerts this time of year.
But, I gotta kinda think of the fact that he’s a human being. He is relentlessly dedicated to his concerts and fans as long as I’ve been a fan…
He had a human moment of “I want to do this with my family” and he put that above the promise he made to appear for a concert.
I’m not saying it’s right, but very human.
March 30, 2022 @ 5:49 am
the european leg of the Mike and the moonpies tour has just been canceled and i feel bad ( they probably have much better reason not to cross the ocean…).
Can’t imagine how screwed up i’d feel if i was a Church fan…
March 30, 2022 @ 5:58 am
If I was a fan and was basically screwed out of a show because he chose to do something other than his job, I wouldn’t be a fan anymore.
Hank Jr’s wife just died and yet he’s going to be playing.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:20 am
Shit if I put myself in his shoes, I’d crack and go to the game. He aint superhuman. He is fallible just like the rest of us. Church has been relentless in touring, why not cut him some slack?
Also, who tf pays thousands of dollars to fly to San Antonio to see an aging country music star? Hard for me to emphasize with that shitty of a financial decision.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:28 am
That’s an awful take. Sometimes life and obligations force people to travel to see concerts. I own a lawn maintenance company and I had to eat my Zach Bryan tickets when he was here in Pittsburgh in October because it was aerating season and a ton rain had forced the schedule into chaos. We jumped in the truck the following Saturday after the aerating schedule was completed and saw Bryan in Louisville (my makeup show).
Also, I’ve been to many towns and cities I would have never been to if we didn’t follow Willie across the country. We went to Manchester, NH in 2019 to see him – the first (and probably only) time I’ve ever been to a New England state. Last year, we went to Virginia Beach and had so much fun we are going back this year. There is nothing wrong with traveling to see concerts. The problem is the artist not fulfilling his obligation. Don’t displace the blame. Fans are doing their part.
March 30, 2022 @ 10:43 am
A huge work ethic & respect for your clients.
That is why you get much respect from this SCM’er
March 30, 2022 @ 11:09 am
There’s always someone younger and smarter chasing me. All I can I do is out hustle him/her.
March 30, 2022 @ 12:45 pm
Nah, you’ve got this. Your clients love you. Integrity and hard work is where it’s at.
March 31, 2022 @ 6:11 am
Cool I’ve had to eat tickets and travel to shows before too. Everyone has made sacrifices for their work or honor, youre not special.
I’m not shaming people who follow musicians but spending 4k on a weekend is a clownish financial decision, I do not respect or have sympathy for that.
EC made the decision that was best for him. I think a touring musician deserves to do that every now and then. I cant imagine that amount of shit he has missed because of his touring commitments.
Also Di, you’re brown nosing.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:22 am
I find it interesting that this is getting him in more hot water than his vaccine comments.
I also feel like there’s a pretty good divide between people that are sports fans and those that aren’t. People (like myself) who are massive fans of a team “get it”. I don’t have to like it, but I understand. I also have a feeling that he’s probably going to make it up to his fans from that show in some way (I’m thinking stadium show in that area, which is why the show was cancelled and not postponed, because he’s going to go to a bigger venue). This is a guy that when his band got sick, he played an arena solo and acoustic, then came back (for free!) And gave the crowd a whole second show with the full band. If there’s any artist that deserves a little leeway, I would think it would be him.
Something else to consider is if you’re traveling to see anybody, that’s the risk you take. If I were to travel to a show and get a flat on the way and didn’t get there on time to see the show, I’d be out just as much money (actually more because I didn’t get a refund on my ticket!). People are talking about this incident that Eric has a ton of privilege to do this (and he does) but the fans have just as much privilege in bitching about a show that they didn’t have to buy tickets to in the first place.
Just some thoughts, at the end of the day none of this shit really matters.
March 30, 2022 @ 3:48 pm
Sorry a big sports fan and have always rooted for the tar heels. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for him to cancel a concert a week out. It would have been easy to schedule around this time of year just in case this happened.
March 30, 2022 @ 6:29 am
The final four schedules are set a year in advance. There’s always a chance UNC may end up playing. If Basketball is that important to him, he should have left the date open.
I am an NC native and a huge Duke fan. I fully realize the historical importance of this game, but this is ridiculous. People are going to take a huge financial hit just so he can go watch a basketball game.
I would make a joke about the typical selfish Tar Heel fan, but will refrain.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:35 am
I’d make a joke about how you could possibly be a real NC native and ALSO a huge Duke fan, since everyone knows that Duke fans are northerners or transplants, but I’ll refrain…
March 30, 2022 @ 6:33 am
Go Blue Devils!
March 30, 2022 @ 6:35 am
Eric Church deserves all the backlash he receives. The dates for these tourney games are known years in advance. UNC has a chance to make it this far in the tournament most years. Eric Church is in total control of his schedule. I understand the uniqueness of the game on Saturday but it could easily of been avoided. Don’t book a concert on final 4 dates.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:06 am
Huge Church fan but this is unacceptable behavior. You made a commitment. Honor it. No family member is dying. It is a basketball game.
Gotta love how he attended App State but he is a Carolina fan first. Reminds me of the time when I was at Georgia Southern. They were playing tons of Cole Swindell songs. (He attended there and always wear a GS hat). I asked the staff if they were going to play any Luke Bryan songs (which I was hoping not) since he attended there too. I was bluntly told that Bryan bleeds too much red (Georgia Bulldogs).
Swindell’s music isn’t good but I appreciate his loyalty to Georgia Southern.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:04 am
Agree with you about honoring your commitment. Also agree that Luke Bryan should not be played anywhere in public or private.
Do not agree that you can’t have allegiances to two different schools, for two different reasons. And the implication that he’s somehow disloyal or that he’s UNC “first.” App State and UNC are not even close to being similar schools or athletic programs.
He can be proud of where he went as a student and support all of ASU’s athletic teams with unwavering conviction. But he can ALSO cheer on the team and sport he’s supported since he was a kid. He doesn’t have to stop being a die-hard UNC basketball fan just because he attended ASU.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:45 am
App State beat UNC in football. As an App alum I had to chime in here 🙂
March 30, 2022 @ 11:03 am
Ha. And UNC fans cheered for y’all when you beat Michigan back in ’07.
Fandom is weird. And multifaceted.
March 30, 2022 @ 2:46 pm
You are right.
App State football is much better than UNC’s farce attempts at the sport.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:19 am
Also, KJ97 here in San Antonio was offering tickets to Darius Rucker & Jason Aldean for that night. Seems they’re playing the Valero Texas Open. I’m over here like, “y’all should be giving away tickets to the Oyster Bake at St. Mary’s University the night before with Stoney LaRue and Reckless Kelly.”
March 30, 2022 @ 7:19 am
It’s not like March Madness doesn’t occur IN MARCH. If it means that much to you and your team may win at some point, don’t tour that weekend. It’s not like he isn’t just popping up here and there to play shows anyway as it is. Death, babies being born, sickness I get, but this is a bad look and he’s already charging crazy prices for his tickets. He will feel the backlash from this on future tours IMO.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:36 am
I’m a huge Eric Church fan, just saw him in Birmingham last weekend, but this was a dick move. I’d be extremely upset if I had lost out on airfare, hotels, etc. Probably upset enough to cease being a fan of his.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:42 am
I know it sounds crazy, but if you grew up in NC you’re not surprised… this is a place where tv’s would be wheeled into classrooms from K-12 so students would be able to watch UNC or Duke during ACC and NCAA tournament games
March 30, 2022 @ 9:03 am
I think folks saying that if you’re not from North Carolina, you can’t understand this is a little shortsighted. I’m originally from Dallas, and the world up there revolves around the Dallas Cowboys. There are comparables in the sports world all across the United States. I think any sports fan recognizes that this isn’t “just a basketball game,” and can put themselves in Eric Church’s shoes. It’s just weighing that between inconveniencing 18,000 people who paid to see you.
On Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are many football and basketball players scheduled to play and be away from their families for that time. Musicians leave their families to play big New Years events. It’s a small sacrifice you make for the opportunity to be a well-paid entertainer.
April 1, 2022 @ 4:50 am
…I honestly don’t think a Cowboys fan *could* get it.
In terms of NFL comparisons, it’s maybe the Bills against the Pats in the CG, in Belichick’s final season?
Like, he definitely needs to make it up to the fans somehow, but this is a bonkers Black Swan event.
March 30, 2022 @ 8:26 am
Like some of his music but there’s always been something about him that set off my spider senses. Not surprised by this at all.
March 30, 2022 @ 8:27 am
I don’t think people saying “he should have just not scheduled shows during the Final Four” are appreciating the improbability of this match up. UNC wasn’t even considered a lock for a tournament bid until about 3 weeks ago. Once they got a bid, even assigning them even odds for each of their first games (2 of which they were pretty big underdogs) gives them a 6% chance of making it this far. Add in the same odds of Duke winning four in a row and you’re at a fraction of a percent.
March 30, 2022 @ 8:38 am
And yet there was always a chance, no matter how small. there are 365 days in a year, not scheduling a show on that one date “just in case” doesn’t seem like rocket science. And a person with integrity in this situation would recognize that he should have done just that.
March 30, 2022 @ 8:43 am
Given that the bracket itself wasn’t unveiled until Selection Sunday on March 13, there was no way to know until 2 weeks ago, even with infinite confidence that this match up would occur, that these two teams would meet in the Final Four. It could have just as well happened last weekend, or next Monday.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:03 am
I don’t know that he would cancel the concert if they met any earlier than the final four, so three days out of 365. But even taking two weeks out of 52 is a lot more reasonable than doing what he’s doing.
Eric Church has always been a guy that I’ve wanted to like but just couldn’t quite get there. Now I no longer even want to like him.
March 30, 2022 @ 10:14 am
Eh, it’s literally never happened before in history. You can argue that he shouldn’t have cancelled, but the idea that he should have foreseen this doesn’t really pass muster.
I don’t think I’ve even listened to an Eric Church song before so I have no opinion on him, but I don’t think people are appreciating the improbability and/or importance of this game (for people who care about UNC or Duke basketball.) All that said, I’m going to see Bob Dylan that night so I probably will miss a bit of the first half.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:08 am
Back in 1984, I remember being scheduled to work mandatory overtime on the night Bruce Springsteen was coming to the Saratoga (NY) Performing Arts Center. I asked my Dad if I could call off work to see the concert instead (“lawn seats” were cheap back then and this was the Born in the USA tour). His response, in short: “No way”. I didn’t see Bruce until many years later, but I’ll never forget the lesson my Dad shared about the importance of meeting my commitments.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:10 am
Well, to be perfectly accurate, this game is taking place in April. But I totally agree with youtrpoint.
March 30, 2022 @ 9:42 am
I totally empathize with him and would love for him to have this experience, but he really should have re-scheduled the show on the spot so that people could change flights/reservations more easily.
March 30, 2022 @ 10:24 am
If you spent thousands of dollars to watch this trash, then the joke is on you, and it always has been. I’m happy that you’re paying for your terrible judgement.
March 30, 2022 @ 10:53 am
I have a feeling the fan who could afford these costs in the first place is not struggling for money. Crappy yes, but this person was not slumming it.
March 30, 2022 @ 10:56 am
Dumb question, I know, but something I’ve wondered in the past when a headliner cancels (admittedly not often)?
Why isn’t it an option for the openers to play longer sets and give customers who truly wanted to see them that opportunity along with a pro-rated credit? I am sure arena staff wouldn’t mind the work!
March 30, 2022 @ 11:29 am
From my understanding, Eric Church doesn’t have openers. Someone else can probably confirm that, but I’ve seen that in comment sections.
That happened to us when Turnpike Troubadours canceled … Shooter Jennings and Chris Knight played longer sets and it turned out one of the best concerts ever.
I don’t think there was an opener for this Church date though.
March 30, 2022 @ 11:33 am
Church actually has a long history of booking cool openers, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, Ashley McBryde. But his last couple of tours, no openers.
March 30, 2022 @ 11:43 am
I just see people posting on social media stating his regularly and 1 – 1 1/2 late with no opener (lately).
But yeah, if you had a Marty Stuart or Dwight Yoakam this tour, they could have filled in while Church went cheerleading. That’s what Willie’s been doing. Book strong co-headliners to do the heavy lifting.
March 30, 2022 @ 11:30 am
If he’s that damn passionate about the Final Four, he shouldn’t have scheduled a concert the same weekend as the playoffs. “Major inconvenience” is an understatement. This is costing people (18,000 people from what I understand) thousands of unrefundable travel expenses. This is totally unacceptable. I don’t care who you are, you don’t cancel 18,000 people’s plans because you “need family time”. You chose this life, and people expect you to show up unless there’s a death in the family or some other major thing. Not a basketball game.
March 30, 2022 @ 11:32 am
If he’s a massive fan, then he shouldn’t schedule concerts for KNOWN game times. Period.
March 30, 2022 @ 11:39 am
I’ve went to a decent amount of concerts in the past 20 years and the only one that was postponed was Merle Haggard. It was for health reasons and he died several months later without ever getting to perform again. Eric Church isn’t worth the piss running downstream at the Mount Rushmore of Country music.
March 30, 2022 @ 1:33 pm
Lots of interesting comments about this. Mine will just be that this is uncool.
March 30, 2022 @ 1:51 pm
Reasons for concert cancellations (that happened to me):
Levon Helm : death
Merle Haggard : death
Wallflowers : illness
Garth Brooks : torrential downpour and lightning (Nashville ‘21, outside)
The first two were still going despite illness and age. Makes skipping because of a game (yeah, yeah Final Four) look like a jerkass move.
March 30, 2022 @ 2:42 pm
Billy Joe Shaver played a concert the same day Eddy died.
March 31, 2022 @ 4:47 am
There will never be another Billy Joe Shaver, the GOAT. Eric Church is a product of his family money. Also, the only artist with a current “medicine man”
March 31, 2022 @ 3:28 pm
Let’s not forget Waylon. Finishing the Winter Dance Party tour (almost two weeks worth of dates) after 2/3/59 ?That, ladies and gents, took guts.
March 30, 2022 @ 2:54 pm
Before he made this decision I have to wonder if he ever stopped to think about how much different his life would have been if Bruce Springsteen had blown off the concert he went to in his old jeep with the girl in the discount shades, store-bought tan, flip-flops and cut-off jeans when he was 17.
March 30, 2022 @ 3:06 pm
My personal belief in this is that, we’re all humans. I’ve cancelled things in order to go to a church concert, and I feel it is within his right to do so as well. Besides, what an experience this would be for his children. His life should not have to revolve around us, and while sometimes scheduling dates can be set in stone, other things are more out of control, such as this. Perhaps we hold our performers to too high expectations about the way we treat performers as not humans like us.
March 30, 2022 @ 3:14 pm
Agree with “if you’re not from NC, you don’t get it” sentiment. This isn’t the Cowboys in a regular season game on Thanksgiving. This isn’t the Lakers on Christmas day. This is Carolina-Dook in the Final 4 for the first time ever. This is Coach K’s last ride. This is what diehards have waited a lifetime for. Losing some fans is worth it to him to be in attendance and I get it. Go Heels!
March 30, 2022 @ 3:29 pm
UCLA did this NC State for the bowl game, but instead of 4 1/2 days in advance, they cancelled 4 1/2 hours in advance; of course a covid contact tracing-exposure bull crap the excuse… At least Church had the balls to tell the truth of what he’s doing. He could have easily gave a bull crap excuse to cancel and everyone would completely understand.
March 30, 2022 @ 3:44 pm
Growing up in NC, when I think of Duke and UNC I think of my old man…This is so much more than what people outside of the state understand. This is generational and cultural. It really has A LOT to do with the notion of north vs south; and that is why there are so many here that pull for UNC that didn’t go to school there. This is is oldest public university in the US, the pride of of the old north state – vs the northern elites. It’s much more than basketball, and I’m sure Eric has a deep connection with home and family, and what this game represents within that.
March 30, 2022 @ 4:57 pm
BS- Frank McGuire ( from New York City) and his New York pipeline put UNC basketball on the map. The program was nothing before he got there.
March 30, 2022 @ 5:31 pm
Your right boss. UNC was nothing before Frank McGuire. Glad you said it before someone else did.
March 30, 2022 @ 4:32 pm
As a 61 year old, born and raised North Carolinian, I speak from experience when I say that people here have an unhealthy obsession with basketball. In particular, schools they never attended. I get loving basketball but when you have a work obligation, you keep it
March 30, 2022 @ 5:35 pm
He should have just sent the email saying we’re moving the concert to 3:00 – if that doesn’t work we’ll give u full refund… he could then take his private jet to New Orleans and be there for 8:30 tip off
March 30, 2022 @ 5:51 pm
The moose out front should have told you
March 30, 2022 @ 7:03 pm
I saw Eric Church at the Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville shortly after his Sinner’s Like Me album was released. It was a great show. He opened that night (he was the headliner) and let the then unknown Luke Bryan close so he (Church) could perform at the Merle Haggard tribute down the street.
When he first started, Church was authentic and had integrity. Once he got a bit of fame, his head swelled up bigger than the state of Texas and he turned into an ego maniac with an attitude bigger than his head. He claims to be an outlaw (he’s not), he claims to be all about the music (he’s not) and he claims to be all about the fans (and now he’s proven that he’s not).
Years after the Wild Horse Show, after Church had become a superstar, I was on the guest list at one of his shows, backstage pass, everything, and while I was driving to the venue, an hour and a half away, I stopped and turned around. There was a bit of freezing rain, but honestly, I just didn’t care enough to go. He better hope paying customers don’t start thinking this way.
March 30, 2022 @ 7:42 pm
Never liked this dude. Always seemed like a wanna be rockstar who settled for country. This does little to make me think I was wrong. Also, “The Choir?” Good Lord….
March 31, 2022 @ 6:20 am
Lesson learned after all of these stories: buy the insurance on your flights. Concert tickets have to be refunded. Most hotels have fair cancellation policies. But non-refundable airfare screws you over.
March 31, 2022 @ 8:11 am
This is one reason why I so rarely go to concerts anymore. I can’t stand the diva-behavior. Keeping fans waiting for an hour or more! No audience interaction! Feeling like it’s routine. People pay a LOT of money for concerts, and artists should respect that. Thankfully, the last concert I went to was Paul McCartney. He opened the show saying that his voice wasn’t in good shape, but that he was going to give it his best shot. Nearly 3 hour show and he was magnificent. Interacting with folks. Making jokes. That’s an entertainer.
Also equally great…Vince Gill, Wynonna, Miranda, The D-Chicks, Bonnie Raitt
March 31, 2022 @ 10:19 am
I don’t think enough attention is being paid to the fact that it is pretty lame to be THIS much of a fan . . . when you didn’t even attend the college. Ok to be nuts for your own school. But a school you didn’t attend? C’mon. That is just strange.
The people who think this is acceptable are the same ones who would wear an Eric Church t-shirt to an Eric Church show (you know who you are). 😉
March 31, 2022 @ 1:28 pm
It’s a Southern thing. For decades we didn’t have a lot of professional sports teams in the South, so it’s a tradition to adopt certain college teams as your own. My sister went to FSU, so I’m a huge FSU fan (for football). My Papaw went to Duke, so I should be a big Duke fan, but I have always preferred UNC. Maybe because of MJ? I rearranged my Saturday plans to watch the game too, but I only ended up canceling on my mom, not 18,000 ticketholders.
March 31, 2022 @ 1:23 pm
If he’s such a big Tar Heels fan, he probably shouldn’t have scheduled any concerts during March Madness, being that UNC and Duke always have a good shot at making the Final Four. I have them in my Final Four every year.
April 1, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Fwiw for those who had tickets to san Antonio, he is playing a free show just for them in September. He doing his best to make it right by them. Most artist would simply let it blow over and move on without a blink or care in the world.
April 1, 2022 @ 5:53 pm
Jeez it’s not like it’s SEC football!!! Calm down, EC ???????????? just kidding… sorta. That’s why no self respecting Auburn/Alabama fan gets married in the fall. But for reals, a dick move.
April 2, 2022 @ 5:51 pm
No self-respecting Southern male gets married during college football season.
April 2, 2022 @ 7:23 am
What a douchebag this Church is. He will probably use it being with his family as an excuse. You know how these country guys use “family values” in everything. Lyrics to future E.C. Song “ and even though I had to cancel that concert , to see my blue devils play… I’d rather be with my wife and kids… and then have my fans see me play””” sing in ballad style with hokey overdone accent
April 2, 2022 @ 5:49 pm
He’s a Tar Heels fan.