Eric Church to play two intimate Nashville shows at the Country Music Hall of Fame

For this year's artist-in-residence showcase, the Country Music Hall of Fame called in the Chief.

"Springsteen" hitmaker and Music Row trendsetter Eric Church — known as "Chief" to a majority of his listeners — plays a pair of intimate shows at the CMA Theater this August as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame's long-running artist-in-residence program.

The shows take place Aug. 29 and 30; tickets start at $75 before fees and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. via countrymusichalloffame.org. Proceeds benefit the museum's nonprofit education mission, according to a news release.

In its 18th year, the artist-in-residence tradition offers an opportunity for sought-after singers and songwriters to "curate shows that inspire appreciation for their talents and vision — often incorporating different themes and special guests," per the Country Music Hall of Fame. Artists previously invited to perform include John Prine, Marty Stuart, Kris Kristofferson, Jason Isbell, Miranda Lambert and Vince Gill, among others.

"As a student of the rich history of country music’s most prolific artists, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a shrine of reverence for this songwriter’s heart," Church said in a news release. "I’m honored and humbled to be included in such esteemed company."

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Next month, the museum opens "Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul," a year-long exhibit chronicling his uncompromising rise to stardom.