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Eric Church Rolling Stone Interview Upsets Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert

Gino DePinto, AOL

They're among country music's most notoriously outspoken artists but now Eric Church is taking heat from Miranda Lambert and husband Blake Shelton for comments he made during a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

In a profanity-laced conversation with the publication, Eric takes aim at reality-TV singing competitions such as "The Voice," saying that "it's become American Idol gone mad. Honestly, if ["The Voice" coaches] Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green f---ing turn around in a red chair, you get a deal? That's crazy. I don't know what would make an artist do that. You're not an artist." (quotes via Keepin' It Country)

Miranda, who first came to the attention of country fans as a contestant on "Nashville Star," didn't take long to respond. The singer posted to her Twitter account: "Thanks Eric Church for saying I'm not a real artist. Or @kelly_clarkson, @carrieunderwood & @KeithUrban. Your welcome for the tour in 2010."

Eric took what seems to be a specific swipe at Miranda's husband, saying, "If I was concerned about my legacy, there's no f---ing way I would ever sit there [and be a reality-show judge]. Once your career becomes something other than the music, then that's what it is. I'll never make that mistake. I don't care if I f---ing starve."

"I wish I misunderstood this," Blake later tweeted in response.

Eric didn't save his harsh criticism for country music and reality TV, however. He also had strong words for the current state of rock 'n' roll, having recently performed at one of rock's most prominent festivals.

"Rock & Roll has been very emo or whatever the f---. It's very hipster. We played Lollapalooza and I was stunned at how p---y 90 percent of those bands were. Nobody's loud. It's all very f----n' Peter, Paul and Mary sh--."

The full interview with Eric Church is in the current issue of Rolling Stone, on newsstands now.

STORY UPDATE: Eric has sent a statement to The Boot clarifying his controversial statements. Read it here.

Watch Eric Perform 'Springsteen' Live in Our Studio


Watch Blake Perform 'Hillbilly Bone' Live in Our Studio

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Terry Holland

Well, I guess Eric Church feels free to make these statements since he has no legacy as of yet to be concerned about. Someone give Eric a beer and tell him to shut up, since all you have to do is put a drink in his hand

May 11 2012 at 7:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Trent Williams

You know who else I could see saying stuff like Eric Church said? John Rich he is so cocky and is a freaking prick I can't stand him. If you will notice he, Big Kenny, Gretchen Wilson, and all their other cast of characters are not even a blimp on anybodies radar anymore. I love country music soo much, but people like Chuch and Rich need to realize that as great as country music is it's not the only music out there and need to find some appreciation for other types of music because that's what a true artist is. The whole outlaw thing in country music was gone when Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings passed (RIP). Thats why guys like Jamey Johnson & Shooter Jennings don't have big hits like Carrie, Miranda, Blake, etc. Plus people who win reality shows aren't artist just because they won or was on the show it's the fact that after the show they busted their but and churned out top songs and top albums continueously. So Eric Church & John Rich get off of your high horses and quit being jealous of the people who are dominating country.

May 11 2012 at 3:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
francoeger

Well Eric you finally showed people what you truely are . You think you know everything because you have 1 #1 song. The people you are slamming have more #1s than you will ever have. You have a sewer mouth and someday your son will read your article and see just what his father is like. Good luck with that !!! As for starving that just might not be so far away.

May 01 2012 at 8:57 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
devinmcmusters

He's a drunk. Probably has no idea what he said.

May 01 2012 at 11:47 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Queen Rachie

I see what he is saying about doing these realty shows.....I understand what he is trying to say, but I agree with Miranda on what she said about "is she not a artist or carrie underwood".....they are artist, very good artist. As for what he said about rock-n-roll, altho I do like some of what's out there, he is 100% right. What they consider Rock - N -Roll today is not what it use to be......when I think of rock n roll i think of metallica, the 80's hair bands, zepplin, aerosmith, motley crue, queen, ac/dc....you get my point.....

May 01 2012 at 10:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tanita

Although, I hit send too soon, I do love Miranda and Blake as well, but nice to have someone shaking things up and pissing people off in country

May 01 2012 at 10:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Tanita's comment
Travis Harlev

That man,Eric,has more talent than half of the artists in country,writes his own songs and hasn't gone all hip hop like the rest and yes he,jamie johnson and there's one more are the modern country outlaws,they're stickin' to their roots!

May 03 2012 at 10:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tanita

It's about time there's another Waylon type outlaw in country music!

May 01 2012 at 10:09 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Tater

Wow, seems like you all have opinions, and he's not allowed to either??? Eric Church is NOT afraid to say what he feels! I respect him for that! His TRUE fans will stick with him! All the bandwagon jumpers can get off!

May 01 2012 at 9:41 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
micklemouse01

Church is a wannabe, gone soon. I hope!

May 01 2012 at 8:32 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Nicole

What a Jack ass, I've never liked Eric Church's music and now I don't like the person either.

May 01 2012 at 6:33 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply

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