AIR DATE: JULY 2015

Hey this is Eric Church, back for the sixth episode of Outsiders Radio. I’m sitting on the bus at Ascend Amphitheater, I’m about to play two shows by myself here, but we’ll talk about that later on… It’s July, and even though it’s late in the month I can’t help but thinkin’ about this great country we live in. I got a chance to play with Willie Nelson on the Fourth of July; one of my musical heroes. And we’ll talk about that later on and some things that went on there, but so many great musical events happen around The Fourth, from huge concerts to small town Main Street parades. There’s a good time to reflect on how good we have it. It is still a country where you can chase your dreams, it is still a place where you can speak your mind and I think we have some serious work to do to keep it that way. Without those truths, I wouldn’t be talkin’ to you right now. So I’m calling this episode “For Love of Country”. Let’s celebrate through music, how far we’ve come and realize it’s up to us to keep it going. Let music bring us together and give us strength. Sing about it, Charlie.

“In America” 3:18 – The Charlie Daniels Band

“American Girl” 3:32 – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

“Born In The USA” 4:39 – Bruce Springsteen

The Boss. A great snapshot of American History, and before that, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with “American Girl”. Great American Rock n Roll. As you all know, I’m a songwriter first and foremost, those stories and slices of life brought to life with a melody have got it and formed my entire musical DNA. Here’s another great example straight from the Midwest.

“Pink Houses” 4:44 – John Mellencamp

“Take Me Home Country Roads” 3:09 – John Denver

JohnMellencamp with “Pink Houses” followed by John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads”. John Denver helped write that song with two guys that were actually opening for him under the band named Fat City. The two had been working on the song for a month and planned to pitch it to Johnny Cash. But when Denver heard it, he flipped out and the three stayed up all night finishing it. It became John Denver’s signature song, released on the album, Poems, Prayers and Promises in 1971. Let’s go back a little bit. A song that reached number one in 1959 and one of my favorites growing up when I was a little kid, here’s a tune by Johnny Horton written by Jimmy Driftwood, “The Battle of New Orleans”.

“The Battle of New Orleans” 2:36 – Johnny Horton

“America” 3:24 – Waylon Jennings

Johnny Horton, followed by “America” by Waylon Jennings. Speaking of Waylon, I got to go down and play the Fourth of July picnic with Willie Nelson and then two days later do a Waylon Jennings tribute with some of my musical heroes; Chris Christopherson, of course I mentioned Willie, guys like Robert Earl Keen. It was just an incredible, incredible event for a guy who was a songwriter and never thought he would find himself in that situation. And I got a chance to hang with Willie and be with him some, and actually go on Willie’s bus and check off one of my bucket list items, which we’ll save for a later program. I don’t remember most of it anyway… But I had one of those nights I know as an artist I never thought would come and I knew it was something I would never forget. Not only the Fourth of July picnic, but being with all the people at the Waylon tribute. For me, it was a special night and it just feels right since we’re talking about the Fourth of July and we’re talking about this month, to play my favorite Willie Nelson song. Here’s “Me and Paul”.

“Me and Paul” 3:48 – Willie Nelson

That was Willie Nelson, “Me and Paul”. One of the most popular contemporary songs for this time of year, is a story about domestic abuse. The song only made it to number 12 on the country chart, but became a career song for the singer. In fact, it won the CMA award for Song of the Year in 1994. I’ve said many times, it doesn’t matter how high a song goes on the chart. Does it move people? Do they care about it? Does it stir passion? And this one certainly does. Written by Gretchen Peters and sung by Martina McBride, here’s “Independence Day”.

“Independence Day” 3:24 – Martina McBride

Gretchen Peters is one damn good songwriter. In fact, she was inducted in the National Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. Be sure to look her up. Speaking of well written and big time classics, I’ve gotta play this one.

“American Pie” 8:36 – Don McLean

Released in 1971 and spending four weeks at number 1 in 1972, that is Don McLean’s “American Pie”. Don wrote and recorded the song and when asked what “American Pie” meant, he said it means, “I don’t ever have to work again if I don’t want to”. These lyrics have been poured over by people, classrooms for years. In fact, in 2015 McLean announced he would auction off the original manuscript of the song along with his interpretation of the lyrics. It went for 1.2 million dollars. Wow. Only in America.

“Only In America” 4:29 – Brooks & Dunn

“Back In The USA” 3:23 – Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes

“Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn and “Back In The USA” by Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes. Lee is also known as Mr. Telecaster, winning Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Country Guitarist five consecutive times. Makes you wanna hear some guitar. Let’s do it.

“We’re An American Band” 3:38 – Grand Funk Railroad

“American Woman” 5:05 – The Guess Who

Grand Funk Railroad, “We’re An American Band” and The Guess Who with their classic, with a touch of sarcasm, “American Woman”. Speaking of sarcasm, how about this one from Green Day. Here’s “American Idiot”

“American Idiot” 2:54 – Green Day

Alright. That’ll get the blood flowin’. And that is what is great about this country. We can say what we think, we can chase down our dreams. We all have a chance. Speaking of chances and speaking of dreams, I’m currently, like I said earlier, sitting in Ascend Amphitheater. I’m gonna play by myself for the next two nights. Just nothing but me, a guitar, and songs. And it’s what I came to town to do and never, ever thought that I would get an opportunity, in Music City, to stand on a stage and have two sold out shows of just me. And I’m certainly a testament to what you can do, and in these tough times I think we can never forget what is still capable of being accomplished in America. We need to remember where we came from and never take it for granted. Speaking of a guitar and by himself, maybe Cash said it best. I will leave you with this classic from his 47^th album. ‘Til next time…God Bless America and God Bless Johnny Cash.

“Ragged Old Flag” 3:06 – Johnny Cash

Eric Church hosts Outsiders Radio monthly on SiriusXM's The Highway. Eric explores his personal music influences and plays his current favorites. Church will also play exclusive, never before heard music from his own archives.

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