New music from Chief?
It’s been over a year now since Eric Church dropped his latest album, Evangeline vs. the Machine. And he’s spent the better part of the last year “on the road” for his Free the Machine Tour, as well as his now-annual three nights at Red Rocks and various other festival dates.
But this morning, Church dropped a cryptic teaser, featuring some behind-the-scenes footage from out “on the road” with the date 9/10/26:
So what could Church have up his sleeve this time? Well, I think I know what this one is…and if you’re a regular Whiskey Riff reader (or were at Red Rocks on night 3) you probably do too.
Before Church took the stage at Red Rocks with a stripped-back version of “Hallelujah,” he had a surprise up his sleeve. As the lights went down and the house music turned off before the show, one of Church’s own songs began to play. But it wasn’t one that we’ve heard on any album just yet: In fact, it was one that we’d only heard acoustically – until now.
Church took the stage to the never-before-heard studio version of “On The Road.”
And if you listen closely to the teaser that he posted today, it features the same song – so if I were a betting man, I’d guess that we’re going to (finally) be getting this one next Friday.
If you’re not familiar with “On the Road,” it’s an autobiographical song that Church first debuted back in 2023, one that reflects on the past 20 years of his career…well, on the road:
“I’ve seen the devil stop a show in Vegas
I’ve seen those angels get their forever wings
I stood on stage with Kris and a Red-headed Stranger
And I’ve done the last show in Texas with the King
Livin’ my dreams I know
On the road I’ve come far
Rode in a thousand towns writing on my guitar
On the road they say it never ends
But I know one day I’ll do anything to do it all again
On the road”
Of course Church also recently celebrated 20 years since the release of his debut album Sinners Like Me, and even dedicated one of his Red Rocks shows to the album. And over those 20 years Church has consistently been a trailblazer in country music, firmly cementing himself among the legends as he continues to push his sound.
And the studio version of “On the Road,” which has only been heard once, has an upbeat, heartland-rock sound that’s reminiscent of guys like Bob Seger who Church frequently cites as one of his heroes.
Now, you never really know what you’re going to get with Church, so it’s hard to tell whether this song is an indication of which direction he plans to take his next album. But if it is (assuming the song is on his next album), I can’t wait to hear what else he’s got up his sleeve.
Regardless, it’s always a great day when we get new music from Eric Church.
