Eric Church is now headlining his own arena tour, but he spent many years playing small clubs around the country. Though he's now topping the charts with hits like "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen," Eric didn't compromise on his way to country stardom. He knows he could have taken an easier path though.

Eric says, "You can make easier money, you can put out safer songs. You can run songs up and down the chart. I just don't think people are going to know who you are in 10 years."

Instead of taking that shortcut to fame, Eric worked hard, playing two-hour shows and winning over crowds coast to coast. He wouldn't change anything about that part of his career, but Eric admits, "It’s a tough road. It’s a hard road, you have to be younger. You have to really be hungry and we stayed hungry."

Eric's hunger paid off. His Blood, Sweat & Beers tour is packing out arenas through a December 15 show in Sunrise, FL.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio