Cotten has toured with Church since 2013
Eric Church’s backup singer Joanna Cotten has left his band after nine years. Cotten shared the news on social media on Sunday (July 31st), stating she had a wonderful run supporting the country superstar.
“I want to let you all know that I made the decision to take some time off after the Gather Again tour to focus on writing some new songs and have a time of rest and recovery. It was my intention to return, but God has other plans,” she shares. “I want you all to know that your energy carried me through so many shows with Eric. What a run we had. I am so grateful for the stages I sang on with him and the people I met along the way. I am very much looking forward to new solo music and ventures on the horizon. I love you guys and I’ll see you out there on the road before you know it!”
Church has often featured Cotten on record and during his live shows since 2013. Their dueling vocals can be heard on “Heart On Fire,” “Break It Kinda Guy,” “Stick That In Your Country Song” and “Like Jesus Does,” to name a few.
In May, Ashley McBryde filled in for an ailing Cotten on The Gather Again Tour as it wrapped in New York City. She has not returned to the band since.
Cotten calls her music “funkabilly” and describes it as “her own special blend of blues, funk, and country genres unlike anything else around.”
The Memphis-born Cotten released her debut single “The Prize” in 2007 with Warner Music Nashville. The song peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart as the song failed to gain traction. Cotten had recorded 21 songs for what was to be her major label debut, but split with Warner in December 2007 after the release of her Funkabilly EP in September 2007.
Cotten released two albums independently in 2008 and 2009.
