Eric Church is set to become the next major country artist to operate a bar in Downtown Nashville. The “Heart On Fire” singer confirmed plans to open Chief’s, a six-story venue that will serve as a bar, a barbecue restaurant and a music venue. The name is a nod to Church’s famous moniker, which is also the name of his third studio album that released in 2011.

“I remember driving through downtown Nashville over 20 years ago with a pawn shop guitar, riding shotgun in a beat-to-hell truck just trying to chase a dream,” the country artist said in a statement. “Chief’s is the culmination of catching that dream. Like everything else we do in our career, I wouldn’t even attempt a project like this if I didn’t think it would be the best, so that’s what Chief’s will be: the best.”

Church confirmed that the upcoming bar is slated to open next year. He’s partnering with Ben Weprin, founder and CEO of private real estate company AJ Capital Partners, and chef Rodney Scott to “create an experience unique to Nashville and absolutely unparalleled in the world of music, food, fellowship and entertainment.” Chief’s is set to open in the space formerly occupied by Cotton Eyed Joe, at the intersection of Broadway and Second Avenue.

The “Hell Of A View” artist joins the ranks of Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and other artists to open a bar/restaurant on Lower Broadway in Nashville. Church added: “This is my hometown. This is personal. This matters. Every detail of Chief’s will feel that way.”

Jeff Benton

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