John Rich (musician)

] Rich embarked on a solo career on BNA Records in the late 1990s. Eventually, he and Big Kenny formed the duo Big & Rich, who have recorded four studio albums to date and charted multiple singles on the "Billboard" Hot Country Songs charts. In addition to his work in Big & Rich, John has co-written singles for multiple artists, including Keith Anderson, Cowboy Troy, and Gretchen Wilson, as well as producing records for several other artists.

Before Big & Rich

John Rich graduated in Dickson County, Tennessee and after graduation moved to Nashville where he worked at Opryland USA singing. Not long after he met up with the group Texasee, which eventually changed its name to Lonestar. While in Lonestar, Rich was the bassist and, on some occasions, the lead singer (one of the band's singles, "Heartbroke Every Day," featured his lead vocals). Rich also co-wrote two of the band's singles: "Come Cryin' to Me" and "Say When", the former being a number-one single for the group. In January 1998, Lonestar announced on their web site that Rich was leaving the band to pursue a solo career, although Rich states in the Big & Rich Bio that he was "fired from the band Lonestar". Afterward, Rich became a solo artist with BNA Records, but none of his albums on that label were released until 2006, when "Underneath the Same Moon" was released. Rich did chart two minor singles while on BNA, however. In addition, he charted as a duet partner on Gretchen Wilson's 2007 single "Come to Bed".

Current projects

In 2007, Rich hosted a reality show on Country Music Television called "Gone Country", which featured celebrities such as Brady Bunch actress Maureen McCormick, singers Bobby Brown, Sisqo, Julio Iglesias Jr., Dee Snider, Carnie Wilson and American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo as they try to become songwriters with the help of Nashville songwriters as the celebrities are paired together with the songwriters. The show was filmed at the former home of Barbara Mandrell.

John has also announced that he is planning on releasing a solo album which will be released in late 2008. In addition, Big & Rich is taking time off until 2009 due to a neck injury suffered by Big Kenny.

Rich is also serving as a judge on the 2008 version of "Nashville Star" on NBC along with Jewel, and singer-songwriter Jeffrey Steele.

Rich, despite his previous support of Fred Thompson [http://newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/John_Rich.php] , released a campaign song on his website in support of presidential candidate John McCain in August 2008 called "Raisin' McCain". [http://www.johnrich.com/] He performed in the closing ceremony of the Republican National Convention on September 3, 2008.

ongwriting

John has written several chart singles (several with his partner Big Kenny). Singles written by John Rich include:

References