Photo: Creative Commons license / Mark Runyon | ConcertTour.net

This has started popping up on social media and it deserves to be seen. Stop what you’re doing, take 15 good minutes and just watch. You can thank me later. Really, this is a speech people will be talking about years from now.

It’s the commencement address at the University of North Carolina last weekend, delivered by singer-songwriter Eric Church, a Carolina native who clearly loves his state: 

Church, the 49-year-old country singer, used his guitar to give what the internet is (rightfully) labeling one of the most powerful addresses … ever? I’m no expert on the subject, but it’s hard to argue.

Faith. Family. Spouse. Ambition. Community. You. Six pillars of life to go along with six guitar strings.

This is one to watch, rewatch and share. Check it out. I may get a homily (or two) out of this.

More about Church: 

Church was raised in a family of Baptists, which he called “the religion of contradictions” in 2008. His music continues to reflect Christian themes; for example, his song “Old Testament Me” (2017) centers on the Bible‘s “turn the other cheek” teaching. In 2025, he stated, “Faith’s a big part of my life and it’s always been a part of my life”. 

On January 8, 2008, Church married music publisher Katherine Blasingame at West Glow Resort in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. At the wedding, Church performed “You Make It Look So Easy”, a song he wrote for Blasingame. On October 3, 2011, their first son, Boone McCoy Church, was born; he is the subject of Church’s song “Three Year Old”. On February 15, 2015, their second son, Tennessee Hawkins “Hawk” Church was born. Their home (along with Church’s “man cave“), located in Nashville, was featured in an episode of CMT‘s Cribs.

The Chief Cares Fund is a foundation organized by Eric and Katherine Church in 2013. The non-profit organization has been used to help underprivileged families in Tennessee, North Carolina, and even as far as helping orphans in Nepal receive clothing, proper bedding, and schooling. The foundation has also delivered Bibles to Haiti and helps fund Humane Society no-kill animal shelters. Donations are made via the foundation’s website and through Chief Cares Platinum Ticket purchases.

In November 2022, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper awarded Church the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor.