Eric Church Reflects on the Power of Music While Accepting ACM Lifting Lives Award
“I believe that God made music the universal language.”
Eric Church accepts the ACM Icon Award onstage from Sheryl Crow (L) during the 19th ACM® Honors™ at The Pinnacle on August 19, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM
Eric Church was honored for his unwavering generosity during the 19th ACM Honors on Wednesday evening. Surrounded by his family, including his wife, mother, father, sister and brother-in-law, Church took the stage to deliver a heartfelt acceptance speech reflecting on the role music has played throughout his life and how it ultimately became a catalyst for giving back.
Church spoke about the opportunities his career has afforded him to help others, particularly through the efforts he has supported across his home state of North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. For Church, the ability to use his platform to make a difference has become one of the most meaningful parts of his journey in music.
“And here’s the thing, I believe that God made music the universal language. I believe that that was decreed when King David wrote the first song. And you forget what music can do and who it can speak to,” he said.
Church revealed that “because of music” they are putting a 37th family in a home in Western North Carolina with 41 more on the way in a neighboring county.
“And it was because of music that happened. It’s changing those lives. It’s changing their kids’ lives. It’s changing their future,” he declared.
The ACM Lifting Lives Award honors the contributions of Gary Haber, a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Church was honored for his longstanding commitment to giving back and his continued efforts to support communities in need. In particular, the award recognizes his extensive work helping North Carolina recover and rebuild following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Church’s efforts began with the Concert for Carolina, which he co-organized with Luke Combs to raise funds for hurricane relief. He later donated all of the royalties from his song “Darkest Hour” to support those impacted by the disaster. Rather than stopping there, Church continued looking for ways to help after recognizing a gap in long-term support for communities working to rebuild.
Through his charitable organization, Chief Cares, which he founded in 2013, Church has worked to strengthen communities through hands-on support, compassion and long-term investment. His work in North Carolina now includes Blue Haven, a housing initiative focused on building rent-free, mortgage-free homes for families as the region continues its recovery.
Church has also donated millions of dollars to causes around the world, including orphanages in Nepal, disaster relief efforts in Haiti and no-kill animal shelters. His connection to ACM Lifting Lives also runs deep, having participated in the organization’s 2021 Ad Council and COVID Collaborative public service announcement during the 56th ACM Awards.
Church was honored with a performance from Sheryl Crow, who took the stage to deliver a performance of his hit “Drink In My Hand.”
The 19th ACM Honors also recognized artists such as Ella Langley, songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, country icon Bill Anderson, and more.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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