First off, it was a bucket list moment when her music idol Eric Church recently invited her to open one of his few select shows this year at Denver’s majestic Red Rocks. But, when singer-songwriter Cam was asked to join superstar Church for the performance of his hit, “Like Jesus Does,” at the end of his sold-out show that night, the country newcomer could only recall a few musical memories that will surpass this one.
Cam has looked up to Eric Church for some time. “I’ve belted out his songs in my car for the past four years, and his album Chief hasn’t left the car since it came out,” she recalls. “So to find myself actually harmonizing with Eric ONSTAGE and not in my car, the two of us sharing a spotlight, surrounded by the unreal vibe of Red Rocks,” continues Cam, “that’s a memory I’ll carry with me forever.”
Before the start of “Like Jesus Does,” Church said, “I’m going to bring some help up here on this next song…she’s one of my favorite artists that’s out right now.”
Following his introduction, Cam surprised him as she walked on stage wearing yellow aviator sunglasses – her attempt to match his, of course, with a little Cam signature color yellow twist. (Insert link?) Also, she wore an all-yellow leather motorcycle jacket with bedazzled embellishments to match Church’s black one.
Cam and her co-producers Tyler Johnson and Jeff Bhasker were inspired by Church’s music when making the Arista Nashville/RCA Records artist’s debut album, Untamed. “Of all the current country music artists who have influenced me, Eric Church’s music is at the forefront,” she emphasizes. “I would reach out to cowriters because they wrote songs with him, compare my mixes with his and even pick the songs on my album based on the flow of his Chief album.”
“Not to be corny,” Cam says as she summarizes her Eric Church Red Rocks experience, “but, this performance and the encouragement that Eric and his band gave me that night is a real validation of the spirit. They don’t compliment everyone you know? Definitely gave me the confidence to continue being myself. God bless Eric f**king Church!”