Eric Church, Community, and the Rhythm of Data

This past week, David and I spent three unforgettable nights under the stars at Red Rocks, soaking in the full Eric Church experience. If you’ve never been to Red Rocks, it’s hard to describe — it’s not just a venue, it’s a feeling. The natural acoustics, the red sandstone rocks framing the stage, the crowd singing in unison under the open sky…it’s electric.

But what stood out the most wasn’t just the music. It was the people.

Eric Church fans are some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. Everyone’s there for a good time, sure — but there’s also this quiet, collective understanding: we’re in this together. People help each other. They share ponchos when it rains, offer rides to and from the venue, and lend a hand up the steep steps. They help raise millions of dollars when disaster strikes, dedicated and determined to rebuild stronger than before.

It reminded me a lot of community banking, honestly.

In both spaces — on that Red Rocks hillside and in our community banks — there’s a strong sense of shared purpose and connection. That’s what community is all about: people showing up, lifting each other up, and working toward something bigger than themselves.

As David and I flew back to Virginia, exhilarated and exhausted at the same time, one clear insight stuck with me: this experience had everything to do with data.

Let me explain.

 

Connection Thrives on Shared Purpose

At Red Rocks, close to thirty thousand strangers came together because of one shared passion — Eric Church’s music. Even on that third night, when the weather turned sideways, Eric rewarded his fans with an unforgettable night of music, way past curfew. The shared commitment was stronger than the buckets of rain pouring down.

That same spirt lives in community banking and is why I love it so much. Local banks aren’t just financial institutions, they’re relationship-driven organizations that support and strengthen their communities. And just like a concert needs a steady rhythm, your institution needs a shared understanding of what matters most. That’s what data provides. It creates alignment, from the CEO to the customer service rep, so everyone is working off that same sheet of music.

 

Visibility Builds Connection

One of the things that makes Red Rocks so special is that you can see everything. The stage, the stars, the expressions on the faces around you. There’s a transparency that adds to the intimacy of the experience and deepens the sense of community.

Banking needs that same kind of visibility. When your data is trapped in silos or buried in spreadsheets, it’s like trying to enjoy a concert behind a curtain, except you have no idea what song is playing. Or who you’re listening to. But when your team can clearly see what’s happening across the organization — performance, opportunities, risk — it opens the door to real connection, faster decision-making, and more meaningful collaboration across the bank.

 

Great Instincts Need Great Insight

Eric played three completely different shows over three nights. If you were lucky enough to catch all three, like we were, it wasn’t just a concert, it was an experience. He missed a high note on one of the very first songs of the first night, laughed, shrugged, and kept going. That moment? It was one of my favorites because it was genuine and authentic. He kept it real every night — and he reads the crowd like a pro. He doesn’t just perform at you, he brings you into the experience with him.

That’s how great community bankers lead too. They bring their experience and intuition, and they pair it with insight. With data. That’s what allows them to pivot, improvise, and lead with confidence. It’s what turns a good banker into a great one;   who can guide their community through any environment.

 

Magic Moments Are Built on Structure

Eric’s cover of Hallelujah — the first song on the final night — was absolutely unforgettable. It felt sacred. His “sing along” where he covered (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tiny Dancer, Neon Moon, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Piano Man, and Sweet Caroline, among others, was incredible. It all felt spontaneous. Organic. Magical.

But we know better.

That kind of moment isn’t accidental. It’s made possible by the structure supporting it: the sound checks, the rehearsals, the setlists, the lighting cues, the production crew, the gear, the logistics. Every detail is dialed in so the artist can focus on connecting with the crowd, delivering an experience that feels effortless.

Banking is no different.

The best customer experiences — the ones that feel personal, seamless, and “magical” are backed by intentional structure. And when done right, they blur the lines between product, data architecture, governance, automation, brand, and service.

 

Bringing It All Together

Eric Church may be the Chief of the Church Choir, but in our world, data is the rhythm that keeps us in sync. It helps us read the room. It gives us clarity when the conditions change. And it allows our teams to stay aligned, even when the industry’s pace picks up or the environment gets tough.

What stuck with me most wasn’t just the music. It was the way he drew us in each night.  I’ve seen him perform many times before and I always walk away with that feeling.  But at Red Rocks, it was something more — almost spiritual. That kind of connection isn’t built on performance alone. It’s built on presence. Authenticity. Intention. That’s what creates community.

And it’s the same philosophy that drives KlariVis. We’re not just delivering dashboards or reports. We’re staying with our clients for the long haul — helping them go further, move faster, and build stronger institutions from the inside out.

Eric has a fan base unlike anything I’ve ever seen — and for good reason. He shows up, he connects, and he keeps it real. That’s exactly the kind of relationship we’re building with our client community at KlariVis.

In fact, one of our clients said it best at our last Executive Data & Innovation Summit: “You aren’t just creating a product. You’re creating a community.”

That’s our goal.
That’s our rhythm.
And we’ll keep showing up — rain or shine.