Eric Church’s relationship with Epiphone stretches back to the very beginning of his career. Long before he was filling stadiums and collecting awards, a 13-year-old Church from Granite Falls, North Carolina, bought an Epiphone guitar and taught himself to play. Without formal lessons, he immersed himself in songwriting, developing the distinctive voice that would eventually make him one of modern country music’s biggest stars.
That lifelong connection has now come full circle with the release of the new Epiphone Eric Church Hummingbird Dark, a signature acoustic-electric model inspired by both his unmistakable sound and his unmistakable style.
Finished in an eye-catching Cobra Burst gloss with black binding and a custom Hummingbird Dark pickguard, the new model reflects the darker visual aesthetic that has become synonymous with Church’s stage presence. Designed to be equally at home under arena lights or in the recording studio, the Hummingbird Dark promises the rich, full-bodied tone and expressive character needed to bring songs to life, whether performing to thousands or capturing ideas in the studio.
Church’s journey from aspiring songwriter to country music heavyweight has been anything but conventional. After playing local bars throughout high school and college with his band, the Mountain Boys, he graduated from Appalachian State University with a marketing degree before his father encouraged him to chase his musical ambitions in Nashville. Early success as a songwriter led to a recording contract with Capitol Records, and his 2006 debut album Sinners Like Me established him as one of country music’s most promising new voices.
His breakthrough arrived with 2011’s Chief, a chart-topping album that produced hits including “Drink in My Hand” and “Springsteen” while cementing his reputation for blending traditional country with Southern rock and an outlaw edge. Since then, albums including Mr. Misunderstood and the ambitious triple project Heart & Soul have reinforced his standing as one of the genre’s most adventurous and respected artists. Along the way, Church has earned multiple CMA Awards, built a reputation as one of country’s premier live performers, and become a regular stadium headliner.
Off stage, Church and his wife Katherine founded the Chief Cares Fund in 2013, supporting underprivileged families, orphanages and animal shelters around the world, reflecting the same independent spirit that has defined his music throughout his career.
The new Epiphone Eric Church Hummingbird Dark celebrates that journey, from the teenager discovering songwriting with his first Epiphone to one of country music’s most influential artists. More than simply a signature model, it represents the instrument that helped launch a remarkable career and the partnership that has come full circle decades later.
The Epiphone Eric Church Hummingbird Dark carries an Australian recommended retail price of $1,699 and is expected to arrive through Australis Music Group in late August 2026.