Finally a chance to see Eric Church and Joanna Cotten on the same stage again…but at different times.
Fans of Church are no doubt familiar with Joanna, the powerhouse who served as a background vocalist for Chief for many years.
Church’s right hand woman on stage, Cotten also lent her vocals to every one of the superstar’s albums since Chief. But it was during their live shows that fans really got to see the badass vocalist shine. At times it felt like they were a duo on stage, with Church always giving her plenty of time to shine. And she made the most of it, never failing to disappoint when she was in the spotlight.
Joanna announced in 2022 that, following the Gather Again Tour, she would be stepping away as a member of Eric’s band to focus on some solo music:
“Hello, friends and fans… I want to let you all know that I made the decision to take some time off after the ‘Gather Again Tour’ to focus on writing some new songs and have a time of rest and recovery. It was my intention to return, but God has other plans.
I want you all to know that your energy carried me through so many shows with Eric. What a run we had. I am so grateful for the stages I sang on with him and the people I met along the way.
I am very much looking forward to new solo music and ventures on the horizon. I love you guys and I’ll see you out there on the road before you know it!”
Fans were obviously disappointed with the news, after so many had grown to love “JoJo” just as much as they loved Chief.
But now, she’s ready to step back on Eric’s stage…well, the stage at his bar.
Chief’s, which is Eric Church’s new bar in downtown Nashville, just announced that Joanna will be performing not just one, but THREE shows at the Neon Steeple, the two-story music venue located on the third and fourth floors of the new hotspot.
Joanna was actually signed to Warner Bros. Records early in her career, and even released her debut single “The Prize” way back in 2007. She recorded a debut album, but after the label declined to release it, she decided to go her own way, eventually landing the spot with Church.
She also self-released a 2009 self-titled album, which featured her own brand of what she describes as “funkabilly,” mixing the blues sounds of her hometown of Memphis with funk and country for a style that’s all her own.
Of course a lot’s changed since then, and there’s no doubt she’s learned a lot from Church over the years, so it’ll be great to finally hear what Joanna’s been working on since stepping away in 2022.
Joanna will be appearing at Chief’s on May 16, June 5 and June 9 – and on the final date, she’s actually performing an early show ahead of the last night of Church’s To Beat the Devil residency.
Could we see the two reunite again on stage during either of the shows? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out. But all I know is that it’ll be great to finally hear from this powerhouse once again.