Songwriter/Artist of the YearHonoring John Rich
This Texas native, most recently known as one half of the multi-platinum Warner Bros. duo, Big & Rich, has been honing his songwriting skills for years. Originally part of the band Lonestar, John Rich scored his first number one record with the song "Come Cryin' To Me."
Since then, he has made a name for himself as an artist in his own right, a producer, an award winning songwriter, and soon to be TV star for a new series in production on CMT. One of his best traits though, is his willingness to help other artists along the way. In doing so, John has managed to create his own musical movement.
How did he do this? Several years ago, John Rich, Big Kenny and a group of friends began playing together. What started out as a group of musicians throwing casual jam sessions at a local Nashville haunt, evolved into a band of brothers (and sisters) known as the Muzik Mafia. Gradually, the Muzik Mafia turned into one of the most exciting scenes in Nashville. Such diverse musical guests as Bon Jovi, Jewel and Stone Temple Pilots and countless country artists have come out to join the Tuesday night jam session. Other founding members include multi-platinum selling artist and Academy of Country Music Award winner, for Top Female Vocalist of the Year, Gretchen Wilson and Warner Bros. artists Cowboy Troy, Shannon Brown and James Otto. Eventually this movement led to the pairing of John Rich and Big Kenny — thus creating "Big & Rich."
While John was hard at work on his own artist career, he was simultaneously working to further the careers of all the members of the Muzik Mafia. He co-produced not only his own Big & Rich record, "Horse Of A Different Color," but also Gretchen Wilson's first and second records, Cowboy Troy's first and second records, John Anderson's
Easy Money, and James Otto's forthcoming record.
John's writing credits include the Academy of Country Music Award winning single of the year,
"Redneck Woman," along with Gretchen's other two hits
"When I Think About Cheatin'" and "
Here For The Party," Faith Hill's smash single "
Mississippi Girl," and Jason Aldean's single "
Hicktown." In addition, he has written several other cuts for Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Clay Walker, Aaron Tippin, Cowboy Troy, and Shannon Brown. Because of his contributions to the songwriting and music industry community, John was awarded the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award in 2005 and 2006.
This year has been a milestone year for John. In June 2007, John along with Big Kenny as Big & Rich, released their third album,
Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace, which went on to spawn the first number one single for the duo, "Lost In This Moment." One month after Big & Rich's new album release, John and Big Kenny received the President's Award For Excellence in the Arts at the Opening Ceremonies of Vietnam Veterans of America's 13th biennial National Convention in Springfield, Illinois. The award recognized their 2006 single, "8th Of November," which was inspired by the duo's close friend, Niles Harris, a Purple Heart veteran and member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The single was a Top Ten hit in 2006.
Big & Rich's current single, "Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace," is currently climbing up the charts.
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