“I’m certainly not scared of a cold one.”
Legend.
Lately, we’ve been seeing lots of Ice Bucket Challenge videos making a rather bizarre resurgence. The social media trend got started back in the summer of 2014, right around the same time that Whiskey Riff started believe it or not, but it was initially a movement to help raise money and awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The event raised over $115 million worldwide, and early example of the power of social media and the internet.
Now, over a decade later, the challenge has made another viral resurgence but this time, in an effort to bring awareness to mental health. It was started by a student group (MIND) at the University of South Carolina, where two students dubbed the challenge the “#SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge.” MIND is an acronym for “mental illness needs discussion” and the goal is to raise money for mental health awareness through the nonprofit Active Minds.
Of course, the ALS awareness folks were upset that their “thing,” so to speak, was co-opted by a different cause, but nevertheless, it’s been gaining viral attention (mostly from college kids who don’t even remember the original ice bucket challenge).
All that said, it’s just a good reminder of the gem that Eric Church gave us nearly 10 years ago when he took the challenge on himself. Back when everyone and their mothers were getting doused with freezing water to raise money for ALS research, Church took the challenge in another direction and filled the bucket of a tractor with bags of ice to complete the challenge…and was apparently nominated by none other than Keith Urban.
In his sunglasses (of course), he just casually stood below the giant bucket of ice water and owned it. Watch it here:
And who did he nominate?
George Strait. Bruce Springsteen. James Hetfield.
That’s right. The King of Country Music. The Boss. And the Metallica frontman. AKA the dream rotation…. no one’s topped that list in a decade.
He went all in, and of course had to throw in the memorable comment:
“I’m certainly not scared of a cold one — had to.”
This was a nod to one of his best heartbreak anthems “Cold One”, but also-that was definitely a cold one. Such an “Eric Church” way to do it-using a tractor, nominating such big names, and taking it like a champ. By far the greatest ice bucket challenge to this day.
And Eric… he’s only gone bigger and bolder in the last 10 years, and still continuing to speak out for good causes. Yet at the same time, he hasn’t changed one bit. And that’s what we love him for.
He just dropped a new album. Evangeline vs. The Machine, an 8-track show stopper filled with orchestras, French horns, and Gospel choirs. He’s made a career out of doing things differently and this album is a testament to exactly that.
Church hits the road later this year on his Free the Machine Tour, bringing these new sounds across the country. And who knows-he might just throw “Cold One” in the setlist.
Free the Machine Tour Dates
September 12 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
September 13 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
September 18 Philadelphia, PA* Wells Fargo Center
September 19 Boston, MA TD Garden
September 20 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
September 25 Green Bay, WI Resch Center
September 26 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum
September 27 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
October 2 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
October 3 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
October 9 Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 10 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
October 11 Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena
October 23 Salt Lake City, UT Delta Center
October 24 Boise, ID ExtraMile Arena
October 25 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena
November 6 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
November 7 Portland, OR Moda Center
November 8 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
November 13 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
November 14 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center at Fresno State
November 15 Inglewood, CA Intuit Dome
