Eric Church Defends, Reacts and Apologizes for Slamming Artists [UPDATE/POLL]

Whether he meant to or not, Eric Church caused quite a stir yesterday with comments made in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Among the comments Church made to Rolling Stone:

If I was concerned about my legacy, there’s no f****** way I would ever sit there [and be a reality-show judge]. Once your career becomes something other than the music, then that’s what it is. I’ll never make that mistake. I don’t care if I f****** starve.

It’s become American Idol gone mad. Honestly, if Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green f****** turn around in a red chair, you get a deal? That’s crazy. I don’t know what would make an artist do that. You’re not an artist.

Click here to read my entire story from yesterday. Those comments lead to East Texan Miranda Lambert getting in on the action. She defended herself, her husband and others when she tweeted:

Thanks Eric Church for saying I’m not a real artist. Or @kelly_clarkson, @carrieunderwood & @KeithUrban. You're welcome for the tour in 2010.

And here is Eric Church's response after all the firestorm:

The comment I made to Rolling Stone was part of a larger commentary on these types of reality television shows and the perception they create, not the artists involved with the shows themselves. The shows make it appear that artists can shortcut their way to success. There are a lot of artists due to their own perseverance that have gone on to be successful after appearing on these shows, but the real obstacles come after the cameras stop rolling. Every artist has to follow up television appearances with dedication towards their craft, but these shows tend to gloss over that part and make it seem like you can be ordained into stardom.

I have a problem with those perceived shortcuts, not just in the music industry," he continued. "Many people have come to think they can just wake up and have things handed to them. I have a lot of respect for what artists like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and my friend Miranda Lambert have gone on to accomplish. This piece was never intended to tear down any individual and I apologize to anybody I offended in trying to shed light on this issue.

I am grateful for all of the artists and fans that have supported me along my journey and certainly did not mean for my comments to undermine their talent and achievements.

So, what do you think? Was he out of line? Or was Rolling Stone taking his words out of context? Will this have any affect on whether or not you buy his next album? Or his current album?

I'll tell you this, this morning I was listening to Kidd Kraddick in the Morning on our sister station, Mix 93.1, and they were talking about it. Yesterday none of Kidd's crew knew who Eric Church was, and today they all do.

So, we gotta ask: