The Chief knows how to pick ’em. At this point in his career, Eric Church has remained one of the most influential country artists in the 21st century. Beyond his illustrious discography, which now stretches nine albums, the constant boundary-pushing from record-to-record and his long history of doing things his own way, the “Springsteen” singer’s impact can be seen on some of the biggest artists in the genre today. Of course, we all know the impact that the Chief has had on the likes of Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and HARDY. Additionally, he’s influenced some of the best and brightest stars in the independent and alt country scene, such as Charles Wesley Godwin, Carter Faith and Colby Acuff. If there’s one thing that has been overlooked about Church as of late, however, it’s undoubtedly his masterful selection of supporting acts. Even from the early days of headlining, Church clearly had an eye for catching talented artists before they blew up, notably selecting the likes of Jon Pardi and Kip Moore during his 2012 Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour. Even more notably, he’s often credited with helping Ashley McBryde garner national attention after performing alongside him during his 2017 Holding My Own Tour. After taking an extended break from relying on openers from 2019-2022, Church kicked it up another notch on his most recent tours, 2023’s Outsiders Revival Tour and his current Free The Machine Tour. Looking back on Outsiders Revival, it’s genuinely shocking to see the names he grabbed before they gained national attention. In addition to featuring Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Koe Wetzel and The Red Clay Strays, Church would also include the likes of Parker McCollum, Muscadine Bloodline, Shane Smith & the Saints, Hailey Whitters, Jackson Dean and more — all before many blew up into the mainstream. Free The Machine has also continued Church’s tradition of snagging incredible talent before they’ve reached the heights they’re bound to see in the near future, featuring Ella Langley, 49 Winchester, Kashus Culpepper, Charles Wesley Godwin, Stephen Wilson Jr. and more. Though Jelly Roll, Wilson, Wetzel, and Langley have all become certified stars from a mainstream perspective over the past few years, I thought it would be a great opportunity to highlight some of the best artists who have flown under the radar that Church has called upon over the years. 1. Shane Smith & the Saints As time passes, it’s become increasingly clear that Shane Smith & the Saints are the most underrated bands not only in the Red Dirt scene but in music in general. Backed by their patented blend of southern rock, stylings from Appalachian country and even some Cajun influences, the Texas band scored early hits with the likes of “All I See Is You,” “Dance the Night Away” and “Lord Bury Me in Texas.” Over the past decade, it’s been easy to see that they’ve just gotten better with age. The sound has remained nearly the same, in the best way possible, of course. However, frontman Shane Smith’s voice has simply improved with every subsequent release. In particular, last year’s stellar record, Norther, portrayed this the best, showcasing a more mature, raspy vocal performance from the frontman. Feeling somewhere between late-career Johnny Cash and fellow alt. country star, Charles Wesley Godwin, he’s proven he has one of the most dynamic voices in the genre. Smith and Co. were featured in 2023’s Outsiders Revival Tour. Key Tracks: “Adeline,” “Coast,” “We Were Something” 2. The Red Clay Strays It’s safe to say that The Red Clay Strays are one of the hottest bands on the planet right now. Between frontman Brandon Coleman’s killer vocals, the flawless blend of country, gospel, roots and southern rock influences and the sheer musical talent present from each of the six members, it was more than apparent that the Alabama group was bound to break out into the stratosphere at some point sooner or later. And it looks like that day has finally come for the band, famously dethroning Old Dominion as Vocal Group of the Year en route to their first-ever CMA win. The Strays were featured in 2023’s Outsiders Revival Tour, ironically being the last name listed in promotional material for the tour. Key Tracks: “Wanna Be Loved,” “Wondering Why,” “Do Me Wrong” 3. 49 Winchester Between the combination of their perfect blend of southern rock and country, their tight live band and world-class vocals from frontman, Isaac Gibson, it’s become more and more apparent every year that the Virginia group is becoming one of the most overlooked bands in the genre today. Though they debuted back in 2014 with their self-titled album, 49 Winchester has recently caught fire over the past five years with stellar ballads like “Everlasting Lover,” “Anchor” and “Hays, Kansas.” 49 recently played some shows with Church earlier this month on the Free The Machine Tour, where they delivered a stellar cover of Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Legend of Wooley Swamp.” Key Tracks: “Anchor,” “Everlasting Lover,” “Fast Asleep” 4. Charles Wesley Godwin If you gathered together 50 or so of the most dedicated fans of the alternative country scene, chances are at least a dozen will tell you that Charles Wesley Godwin is one of the best artists working today. With three albums and an EP’s worth of what can only be described as brilliance, the “All Again” singer has proven time and again why he’s one of today’s premier songwriters and voices in the genre. Though it’s hard to ignore his wholly unique vocals, it’s his writing ability that is one of Godwin’s defining characteristics. From murder ballads such as “Cranes Of Potter” and “Blood Feud” to gorgeous tributes to his family on “Gabriel,” “Dance in the Rain” and “It’s The Little Things,” there’s truly not a song the West Virginian can’t write. Of course, these stellar songs are all backed by some killer production that draws upon traditional country, Appalachian folk and Americana stylings. Godwin opened up multiple shows for Church on the first leg of the Free The Machine Tour last year, notably teaming up for killer duets of both Church’s “Sinners Like Me” and Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson’s hit “Pancho and Lefty.” Key Tracks: “Hardwood Floors,” “Strawberry Queen,” “Cranes Of Potter” 5. Whiskey Myers It should go without saying that Whiskey Myers has been one of the forefathers of this modern southern rock renaissance we’ve seen pop up over the past few years, beginning all the way back in 2011 with their debut album, Firewater, which features their smash hit, “Broken Window Serenade” as well as other career staples such as “Ballad Of A Southern Man” and “Virginia.” Over the years, they’ve cemented themselves as one of the quintessential country-rock bands of this era with stellar records such as 2016’s Mud, their 2019 self-titled album and, most recently, 2025’s heavy-hitting Whomp Whack Thunder. Of course, this is thanks to frontman Cody Cannon’s incredible vocals and the band’s rock-first sound. Whiskey Myers was one of the top-billed openers on 2023’s Outsiders Revival Tour. Key Tracks: “Broken Window Serenade,” “Stone,” “Break These Chains” 6. Kashus Culpepper Since breaking out in the summer of 2024 upon the release of his debut single, “After Me?,” Kashus Culpepper has been one of the hottest young stars in the alt. country scene. Mixing in a beautiful blend of country, blues and soul, the Navy veteran has already flexed his versatility, collaborating with the likes of Marcus King on the rockin’ “Southern Man,” Chase Rice on his track from ELDORA, “Tall Grass,” and 4x Grammy-winner, Sierra Ferrell on the tender, Willie Nelson-inspired “Broken Wing Bird.” At the start of the year, the young star dropped his long-awaited debut album, Act I, and it proved that he’s primed for a successful, long-lasting career in the alt. country scene, once again providing a brilliant mix of country, blues and soul throughout the record. Culpepper made his debut as an opener for Church over the weekend at his Hollywood, Florida, show. Key Tracks: “After Me?,” “Who Hurt You,” “Jenni” 7. Muscadine Bloodline Undeniably the best true duo in country music right now, Muscadine Bloodline has been on an absolute tear as of late. Releasing a staggering six (with a seventh coming soon) projects over the last six years, the pair of Alabamians seems to only get better with each release. Being able to easily switch from swampy, southern rock-inspired romps to soulful ballads with ease, it seems as if there’s not a sound or style that Muscadine can’t nail. Muscadine was featured in 2023’s Outsiders Revival Tour Key Tracks: “Way Too High (2019),” “10-90,” “Ain’t For Sale” 8. Cody Jinks Cody Jinks is a lot of things. One part metalhead, one part Texas troubadour, the “Loud and Heavy” singer has both the depth and versatility few artists can ever dream of. Touching on themes of fatherhood, sobriety and his outlaw nature, Jinks has established himself as one of the premier artists in the country-rock scene. Though he may not have reached the heights, popularity-wise, as his contemporaries like Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell, there’s no denying that the Jinks is one of the forefathers of today’s independent country renaissance we’ve experienced the last decade Jinks was featured predominantly in 2023’s Outsiders Revival Tour. Key Tracks: “David,” “Hippies and Cowboys,” “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin'” 9. Blackberry Smoke In many ways, you cannot talk about the current southern rock scene today without talking about Blackberry Smoke. Up there with the likes of Drive By Truckers, Lucero and Cross Canadian Ragweed, they’ve paved the way for a lot of the younger bands you see in the genre today in the early 2000s. Though their discography isn’t quite as large as you’d expect from a band that’s been around 2004, the Georgia band has continually delivered stellar album after stellar album for the past 22 years. Flawlessly going from straightforward southern rock on tracks like “Waiting for the Thunder” to blues on “Sleeping Dogs,” there’s a lot to love from Blackberry Smoke. Unlike the other artists mentioned on this list, Blackberry Smoke opened up for the Chief all the way back in 2012 on his first headlining tour, Blood, Sweat and Beers. Key Tracks: “Ain’t Much Left Of Me,” “Run Away from It All,” “One Horse Town” 10. Stephen Wilson Jr. Though casual country fans were most likely introduced to him during his stunning cover of “Stand By Me” at the 2025 CMA Awards, many fans of the independent scene have been quite familiar with Stephen Wilson Jr. over the past few years. After delivering his stellar debut on his bon aqua EP, featuring the likes of “American Gothic” and “Year to Be Young 1994,” in June of 2023, Wilson Jr. made himself known in a big way just six months later with his mammoth, 22-track debut album, Søn of Dad. Simply put, the album was nothing short of a stunner, mixing elements of country, grunge, gothic folk, rock and more. It seems a bit lazy to describe an album as one that truly doesn’t sound like anything out there today, but Søn of Dad is just that. Bringing out elements of all the aforementioned genres and subgenres, the Indiana native delivered something truly unique, packing the album full of incredible tracks such as “I’m A Song,” “Grief is Only Love,” “Billy,” the title track and more. Wilson Jr. opened up multiple shows for Church during the Free The Machine Tour last month, notably teaming up for stellar covers of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson’s hit “Pancho and Lefty,” Guy Clark’s “Desperados Waiting For A Train” and Willie Nelson and Ray Charles’ “Seven Spanish Angels.” Key Tracks: “I’m A Song,” “the devil,” “Year to Be Young 1994” The post If You Love Eric Church, Here’s 10 Artists Who’ve Opened For Him That Belong On Your Playlist first appeared on Whiskey Riff.