Things are going pretty well for Eric Church these days.  Not only is he the proud owner of a CMA Award for Album of the Year for Chief, he's joining Kenny Chesney on his upcoming No Shoes Nation Tour next year. Oh yeah, and his little boy Boone just celebrated his first birthday! Being proud of Eric is something that runs in the family has his father Ken recently told the Hickory Daily Record in the family's hometown of Granite Falls, North Carolina. 

Photo from Robert C. Reed

Ken describes a letter from the "Boss" about Eric's smash hit named after him. “Springsteen said he liked the song and admired Eric’s writing ability and said his children like the song even more than he does.” Ken says his boy is proud of his ability to deliver strong songs. “He’s not out there to play the game – he wants to grow as an artist,” Church said. “He’s planning to write his new album, and he’s already done a lot of work on that,” Eric's dad says. Read more here. Look for a live album from Eric early next year. Right now, Eric is finishing up his Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour with Justin Moore and Kip Moore. Check out his upcoming tour dates with Kenny!