Tue Nov 18 05:50:00 UTC 2025: Whiskey Riff Praises Eric Church’s Loyalty, Highlights Importance of Artist-Crew Relationship
Nashville, TN – Country music and lifestyle platform Whiskey Riff recently lauded Eric Church for his unwavering loyalty to his crew, pointing to it as a testament to his character and a key factor in his long-term success. In a recent article, Whiskey Riff emphasized their commitment to highlighting authentic voices in country music and praised Church’s consistent treatment of his road crew.
The article spotlights a recent recap from Church’s “Free the Machine” tour, penned by Adam Lucas, which focused on the often-overlooked efforts of the crew. It notes that Church has retained his manager, John Peets, since 2004, and that many key members of his road crew, led by tour manager Todd Bunch, have been with him for nearly two decades.
Whiskey Riff argues that the longevity of an artist’s crew speaks volumes about their character. They emphasized that Church even continued paying his crew during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when many in the industry struggled. Charles Wesley Godwin, who opened for Church, echoed this sentiment, praising the positive and respectful environment created by Church and his team.
The article culminates in a touching anecdote from Church’s stage manager, Sambo Coats, who shared that Church and his wife sent an entire Thanksgiving dinner to the hospital for Coats’ family when his mother was critically ill with cancer, even before Coats had officially started working for the tour.
“That’s the kind of thing that keeps people wanting to work for you for a decade or two in a business that has such high turnover,” Whiskey Riff noted, underscoring the importance of empathy and genuine care in fostering a positive and productive work environment. They concluded that Eric Church’s success is not just a result of his talent, but also his character, which is reflected in the dedication and loyalty of his crew.
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