Throughout his career, Eric Church has built a small, trusted network of songwriting collaborators, creating a consistent sound and a distinct, authentic voice. During this program, two of Church’s co-writers, Jeff Hyde and Driver Williams, perform and share the stories behind the songs they have crafted with and for Church. This program, in support of the exhibition “Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul,” presented by Gibson, was recorded on May 25, 2024.

Both longtime members of Church’s band, Hyde and Williams talk about mixing writing with performing while treating the audience to some of Church’s most well-known songs. Hyde, who has written a multitude of songs with Church, performs “Broke Record,” “Cold One,” “Record Year,” and “We Were,” a song written by Church and Hyde but cut by Keith Urban. Together with Church, Hyde and Williams co-wrote “Mr. Heeney” and “Smoke a Little Smoke,” which Williams performs. Williams, Church’s lead guitarist, also wrote the “Heart & Soul” album cut “Rock & Roll Found Me,” which he performs before treating the audience to “Hang Tight Honey,” a song he wrote that Lainey Wilson cut.

Hyde has written many hits for Church, including the chart-topping singles “Kill a Word,” “Monsters,” "Round Here Buzz," "Springsteen," and more. His songs have also been cut by Bobby Bare, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Nikki Lane, Kip Moore, George Strait, and Charlie Worsham. In addition to the multi-platinum single “Smoke a Little Smoke,” Nashville native Williams has co-written several Church album cuts. He has also written songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, Drew Parker, Morgan Wallen, and more.

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