Eric Church is the latest country singer to pay his respects to the late Chris Cornell in the form of a cover song. At a show at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., on Friday (May 19), Church decided to perform Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage."

Prefacing his performance, Church mentioned Chris Cornell, who died from an apparent suicide after a concert just two days earlier on May 17. Church explained that Johnny Cash had done a version of Cornell's "Rusty Cage" in 1996, and his cover would mirror that of Cash's take on the gritty track.

Church's deep vocals were accompanied by his band on guitar and percussion. At the end of his "Rusty Cage" delivery, Church gave some signature belts, which were met with applause.

The Chief is far from the only country artist influenced by Cornell. Following the news of his death, many country acts shared their condolences for the late rocker's family, as well as discussed the influence he had on them.

“Chris Cornell touched so many & we were fortunate to have worked w/ him. He was a true talent & gentleman. Our thoughts are with his family,” Zac Brown Band wrote on Twitter following the rocker's death. Jake Owen recalled that one of the first albums he bought in the '90s was by Soundgarden. Cornell even appeared on Saturday Night Live for a performance of Brown's "Heavy Is the Head."

Country Artists Mourn Chris Cornell

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