It’s finally here.
Eric Church is releasing a new song “On the Road” this Thursday, September 10, after dropping a cryptic teaser last week.
Now, if you read Whiskey Riff you probably already guessed that’s what was coming: Church first debuted the studio version ahead of his night 3 show at Red Rocks back in July, playing the song before he took the stage. We shared a snippet of the song at the time, and it was that same song that was featured in the teaser last week:
While other outlets were guessing that it was a some kind of a tour, I predicted last week that the teaser was hinting at the release of the studio version of the song. And I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.
Church announced today that the song would be dropping this Thursday (smart move avoiding a September 11 release), but he’s giving Church Choir fan club members the first listen. The song is now available in the Church Choir app and on the website for members, and will be releasing everywhere on Thursday.
While it’s our first time getting a studio version, Church first debuted the song back in 2023 and has broken out the acoustic version at various times over the past couple years, including at his To Beat the Devil residency at Chief’s and, of course, last year during his Red Rocks show. And as Church celebrates 20 years since the release of his debut album Sinners Like Me, it’s a fitting ode to all that he’s been able to see and do through a life 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”
Speaking on the song, Church reflected on the people he’s met and the memories he’s made over the course of his legendary career:
“There’s something about a life on the road where the miles start to blur together, yet the people and the moments never do. Those are the things you carry with you. You realize how much of who you are was shaped somewhere between one town and the next, and maybe that’s why you never really stop wondering what’s waiting down the road.”
It’s been a little over a year since we got new music from Church, who dropped his latest album Evangeline vs. the Machine in May 2025. Chief has always been one to take his time between albums, so it’s exciting that he’s already back in the studio and dropping new music so soon after the last album.
Hopefully that means we’ll be getting more soon. But until then, safe to say I’ll have this one on repeat.
