Some of Eric Church’s most iconic, career-spanning memorabilia are headed to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Chief artist is getting his own exhibit in the music history behemoth in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, opening this summer.

Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul, presented by Gibson, will “chronicle Church’s unique path to stardom, from his early years playing late-night gigs in bars and writing songs in Nashville to his prominence as one of country music’s most authentic voices and revered rule-breakers,” reads a press release issued by the Country Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday (June 6). The North Carolina-born country megastar’s instruments, song manuscripts, wardrobe he’s worn during shows, awards and tons of other items will be on display.

“Eric Church has done it his way completely,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said of Church’s decades-long career. “His steadfast artistic vision and authenticity resonate deeply with audiences, and he continues to serve as an important collaborator and renegade role model for generations of country music artists.”

Church is known for anthems like “Drink In My Hand,” “Springsteen,” “Talladega,” “Smoke A Little Smoke,” “Record Year,” “Heart On Fire” and other smash-hits throughout his career. Now, he’s setting his sights on his first-ever outdoor summer tour, kicking off this month. The all-star lineup includes Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde, Koe Wetzel, Lainey Wilson, Midland, Parker McCollum, Travis Tritt, Elle King, Paul Cauthen, Jackson Dean, Morgan Wade, Muscadine Bloodline, Shane Smith & The Saints, Hailey Whitters, Ray Wylie Hubbard and The Red Clay Strays on select dates. Church is also set to open a bar on Lower Broadway in Downtown Nashville, joining a growing list of powerhouse artists to open venues in the area.

Fans can see the acoustic guitar that Church had as a child, the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator Mirror sunglasses he’s worn on stage, the outfit he wore on the album cover of The Outsiders and many other items in the Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul exhibit. The museum will also host a public program, Writers’ Round: The Songs of Eric Church, in support of the opening to reflect on the stories behind some of Church’s biggest this. That’s set for Saturday, July 15 at 2: 30 p.m.

Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul is set to open on July 13. It will remain available until June 2024.

Bob Delmont