Here’s another reason why ERIC CHURCH is his own man.  As you may recall, he surprised everyone last year when he suddenly SENT copies of his brand new album, “Mr. Misunderstood”, to his fans. He had literally just finished recording it, and even the record company had no idea there WAS an album . . . much less that he was giving it away to about 80,000 people. Well, he told “Billboard” one of the reasons why he did it, and it makes so much sense . . . unless you’re a record company trying to make a buck. Quote, “I’ve said this a lot:  The music industry is absolutely backward.  The first people to hear the album are the label, and the second are the press or critics.  You’re doing all this so your hardcore fans will buy the album and spread the word. “I just thought, if those are the people whose hands you’re trying to get the album in, we should give it to them first.”  And he was right.  They heard it, loved it, and spread the word.  “Mr. Misunderstood” won Best Album at this year’s CMAs.