Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Eric Church: Music is Not about the Trophies, 2020 CMA Anticipation

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Awards are something gained through splendid effort in a particular field, but not all who participate are fortunate enough to snag one for themselves. May it be recognition, trophies, or anything in particular, these are only small mementos that represent little milestones in one’s career. With trophies or not, a person who simply tried and did his best still would go home a winner.

For the annual CMA Awards, the same principle aptly applies. The peak of victory isn’t seen in the number of golden cups you earn but on the numerous smiles you’ve carved in your audience’s faces.

Only a Symbol to Affirm One’s Hard Work

For most people, the pinnacle of a career is when we receive commendations from people who run the industry. For Eric Church, even though he himself anticipated his win for being a five-time nominee in 2019’s CMA Awards, what he appreciated more is the reaction and the care given to him by the people who supported him; his fans, family, and admirers in the show business. But since Garth Brooks’ win streak for the award rose to another level, many of Eric Church and Carrie Underwood’s fans somehow reacted violently, creating personal and professional sparks for Garth Brooks’ leading him to deny his 2020 nomination.

Eric Church explained how he personally views trophies as only symbols of milestones and how it does not define the state of his career. But speaking for his team, fans, and crew, he said that what would hurt him is when they’d feel disappointed because he wasn’t able to snag the award. He also said that his loss is a mishap on their behalf, and Brooks’ winnings have nothing to do with it. What he considers as real victories are when his singles move a rank in the charts as it signifies his improving mastery in the art of country music.

Music for Self-Expression

Eric Church highlighted that music isn’t about winning or losing, but rather, a form of self-expression. He exclaimed that he will still play the same music that emanates from his heart. His failures or victories from the past do not matter. So in the 2020 CMA awards on November 11, all he’s bringing is himself and his passion for music with the morale boost he received from the people who supported him.

Watch 2020 CMA Awards night on November 11th as Eric Church once again faces with Carrie Underwood on the Entertainer of the Year Award. Also look out for Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, and Keith Urban as they will have a face-off with the two for the sake of the award.

Hosted by Darius Rucker and Reba McEntire, watch it premiere on Nashville at ABC at 8 pm ET. The show will be live, but due to health restrictions, no live audiences will be present.

Whoever you are rooting on, wish the best and play a good game!

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...