Songwriter/Artist of the Year Award Honoring John Rich

Big & Rich's John Rich is Nashville's newest "renaissance man." The 32-year-old Texas native has made an indelible mark on the face of country music. As an artist he's introduced the world to country music "Big & Rich style" as one half of the multi-platinum duo. Not one for resting on his laurels, or resting at all for that matter, John Rich has spent the majority of 2006 producing and co-producing some of the most promising artists to emerge from the rank and file in recent years. In addition to the latest efforts from Gretchen Wilson, Shannon Brown, Big & Rich and country legend Billy Joe Shaver, John claims producer credits on some of the most anticipated releases of 2007: John Anderson's Easy Money, sophomore albums from Cowboy Troy and Jon "King" Nicholson, and James Otto's WB Records debut. When he's not on stage or in the studio, John Rich spends his time writing some of the biggest hits in country music. His most recent hits include Faith Hill's "Like We Never Loved At All" and "Sunshine & Summertime," Keith Anderson's "Pickin' Wildflowers," and Jason Aldean's "Hicktown," "Amarillo Sky," and "Why," which hit #1 earlier this year.