Rowdy tales of hardworking, hard-drinking underdogs have made Eric Church one of the most likable party-starters in 2010s country, but his earnest, ambitious songwriting is infused with the spirit of ‘70s country outlaws. Church is a gifted storyteller, delivering relatable, regular-guy sing-alongs with a warm, reedy drawl. The North Carolina native started early—he was writing songs at 13 and taught himself to play guitar soon after, eventually getting a taste of touring with his college band, Mountain Boys. But his sharp lyrical observations and sly humor helped him find footing in Nashville’s songwriter circuit and land a solo record deal. Church’s 2006 debut, Sinners Like Me, brimmed with easygoing confidence and touches of Bakersfield twang. After a series of increasingly polished releases, he broke through with 2011’s Chief, which featured his first No. 1s, “Drink in My Hand” and “Springsteen”—a tellingly heartfelt homage to the rock icon. As Church’s popularity grew, his sound became more adventurous, adding sweeping production and nods to classic soul, gospel, and rock to chart-topping albums like 2014’s The Outsiders and 2015’s Mr. Misunderstood. After a series of personal and professional trials, his 2018 release, Desperate Man, took an introspective turn, pondering big questions about the human condition that showed his songwriting gifts are just as powerful when the party's over.