Eric Churchhad vowed to never perform the national anthem … but then came theSuper Bowl.
Chatting with Kelleigh Bannen on Apple Music Country’sToday’s Country Radio, the singer revealed the reason why he agreed to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” withJazmine Sullivannext month. (PEOPLE can exclusively premiere the interview.)
“I’ve not met her yet. She may be the best singer. I was floored,” the 43-year-old says emphatically. “I’m a fan. I’ve went in and listened to everything she did. And I had heard her name, but full disclosure, I had not listened.”
Church credits Adam Blackstone, a producer, for putting him and Sullivan, 33, together for the performance.
Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan.Getty (2)
“I’ve said this forever: ‘I will never ever sing the national anthem…’ it’s so hard. Except the Super Bowl,” he said. “I’m notChris Stapleton. I fully assumed they were never going to ask me.”
“My first response was ‘Mm-mm. I’m a stylist, not a vocalist,'” he adds. “I heard it and I thought, ‘That’s cool, that sounds like me.'”
But then … he heard Sullivan’s voice and he wassold.
“And then I heard her and I’m not missing a chance to sing with her. And that was it,” he says. “Once I heard her voice, I said, ‘Okay, I’m in.'”
Church also opened up about his upcoming triple album titledHeart and Soul, which is his “favorite project we’ve ever done.”
Eric Church.Jason Kempin/Getty
“It was spiritual to me,” he says about the new album. “We secluded ourselves… It’s the biggest project we’ve ever done.”
The country star says that recording this album was “the most freeing” and “soul-lifting.”
“It’s real. It’s very real,” he says.
Tune in toToday’s Country Radio with Kelleigh Bannento listen to the full conversation on Friday at 9 a.m. ET.
source: people.com
