NEWSCountry Star Eric Church Slams Blake Shelton, 'The Voice' & 'American Idol'
May 1 2012, Published 2:16 p.m. ET
Get ready for a big ol' country bawl, folks! Eric Church, a country superstar in his own right, has taken a major, major dig at his fellow country crooners who were launched on or participate in reality-show talent competitions like The Voice and American Idol.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Eric disses his "friend" and The Voice mentor Blake Shelton, pretty much calling him a fraud in the music business.
"Honestly, if Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green f***ing turn around in a red chair, you got a deal? That's crazy," Eric stated. "I don't know what would make an artist do that. You're not an artist." Ouch, those are some fighting words!
Eric added that if given the opportunity, he would never appear on The Voice or American Idol — you know, the little show that found some of the biggest current stars in country music, including Carrie Underwood, Scott McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Kellie Pickler.
"If I was concerned about my legacy, there's no f***ing way I would ever sit there," he sniped. "Once your career becomes about something other than the music, then that's what it is. I'll never make that mistake. I don't care if I f***ng starve."
He then went on to complain to Rolling Stone that his industry is dominated by American Idol winners and contestants, something he's not proud of or interested in.
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After hearing about Eric's comments, Blake Tweeted, "I wish I misunderstood this..." But his spitfire wife Miranda Lambert, who was discovered on Nashville Star in 2003 and had invited Eric on tour with her, had a lot more to add.
"Thanks Eric Church for saying I'm not a real artist. Or Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. You're welcome for the tour in 2010."
And American Idol hopeful Skylar Laine, whose dream is to be a country star herself, Tweeted, "Eric why would you say that??? Readin that crap just broke my heart."
What do you think of Eric's comments?
