I’m Gettin’ Stoned

Greetings, Zoo Freaks! Your favorite hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning Eric Church’s “I’m Gettin’ Stoned” from his 2011 album Chief, and we’ve got some juicy trivia to share. Church co-wrote this track with Jeff Hyde, Casey Beathard, and Jeremy Crady, and it’s a bittersweet anthem about heartbreak and coping with loss through a haze of weed. The song’s hook came from a buddy of Church’s who quipped about an ex getting married, saying, “She got her rocks and I’m getting stoned.” Church loved the line’s raw emotion and built the song around it, as he shared in an interview with The Boot. It’s a clever play on words—her “rocks” being diamonds, while he’s left with a different kind of high. The song captures that outlaw spirit Church is known for, blending humor with heartache.

Another tidbit: “I’m Gettin’ Stoned” ties into Church’s unapologetic embrace of cannabis culture, a theme also present in songs like “Smoke a Little Smoke.” At the 2014 ACM Awards, hosts Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan jokingly called Church the “Willie Nelson of our generation,” poking fun at his reputation with a quip about his dressing room smelling like a dispensary. Church took it in stride, and his fans, known as the Church Choir, loved the nod. The song wasn’t a chart-topping single like “Drink in My Hand” from the same album, but it’s a fan favorite, especially for its live performances. A 2012 recording from Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theatre, featured in Church’s live album Caught in the Act, shows the crowd roaring along, proving its cult status among Zoo Freaks and country rebels alike.

Now, let’s dive into how Eric Church got his start. Born Kenneth Eric Church on May 3, 1977, in Granite Falls, North Carolina, he grew up steeped in country and rock influences. As a teen, he taught himself guitar and started writing songs, inspired by legends like Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. After high school, he moved to Nashville to chase his music dreams, playing dive bars and honing his craft. His big break came in 2005 when he signed with Capitol Nashville. His debut album, Sinners Like Me (2006), put him on the map with hits like “How ’Bout You” and “Guys Like Me.” Church’s raw, unpolished style and defiance of Nashville’s pop-country trends earned him a loyal following, though it also got him fired from a Rascal Flatts tour in 2006 for playing too long. That moment, replaced by a then-unknown Taylor Swift, only fueled his outsider persona.

Church’s career skyrocketed with 2011’s Chief, his first No. 1 album, which blended country with rock and soul. His signature aviator sunglasses and Von Dutch trucker hat—originally worn to shield his contact lenses from stage lights—became iconic. Today, he’s a country music heavyweight, known for his storytelling and fan-first approach, like surprise-releasing albums to his Church Choir. You can keep up with him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at sites like Eric Church Fans and the Church Choir Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can connect over their love for his music. Stay tuned for more vibes from THE ZOO!