John Rich wins songwriting honor
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 – For the third straight year, John Rich of Big & Rich won ASCAP's Songwriter/Artist of the Year category for his songwriting contributions on Big & Rich's "8th of November," Jason Aldean's "Amarillo Sky" and "Why," and Faith Hill's "Sunshine & Summertime" No other artist in the history of the ASCAP Awards has been awarded this honor three years consecutively.
Two songs tied for ASCAP's country song of the year - "Before He Cheats" (co-written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins) and "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)" (co-written by ASCAP writer Dave Berg). Craig Wiseman took songwriter of the year for "Hillbilly Deluxe," "Something's Gotta Give" and "Summertime." Publisher of the year honors went to Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
Gretchen Wilson was on hand to announce the news to her longtime friend, Rich. "Gretchen put me on the map," said Rich. "I would not be standing here today if it wasn't for her. I remember her bartending at this club and going up on stage and belting out this song. It was the beginning of this amazing adventure I have been blessed to be on the last few years. Before that I was a two-time loser. I was kicked out of a band and dropped as a solo artist."
Originally part Lonestar, Rich scored his first number one hit as songwriter on their single, "Come Cryin' To Me." Rich's writing credits include the Academy of Country Music Award winning single of the year, "Redneck Woman," along with Wilson's other two hits "When I Think About Cheatin'" and "Here For The Party," Hill's smash single "Mississippi Girl," and Aldean's single, "Hicktown." In addition, he has written several other cuts for Hill, Martina McBride, Clay Walker, Aaron Tippin, Cowboy Troy, and Shannon Brown.
Rich added, "Nashville has an unprecedented amount of talented songwriters. To have artists like Gretchen Wilson, Faith Hill and Jason Aldean perform songs I wrote is an incredible honor. You know, I was lucky enough to have a father who understood songwriting and the joy music can bring to people's lives. My father, Jim Rich, is here tonight. Not only did he teach me how to write, he let me sing in church on Sundays where he was the preacher. I got the best education from him."
"The night would not be complete until I thank this guy, Kenny Alphin. Kenny, thank you man," said Rich. "Who would have ever guessed that the two of us would have this kind of success? Thank you for being a great friend and band mate."
Rich ended by telling a story about Connie Bradley and his jeans. "I went to Connie 1 day about 6 or 7 years ago and said, 'Connie, I need $10,000.' She replied, 'You have a song coming out on radio?' I said, 'Not yet, but I think I will soon.' She said, 'I do too,' and she gave me the money. I then used that money to retire my Granny and help her set up a tiny alterations shop...these jeans I am wearing tonight were created by Granny Rich who is sitting right over there."
More news for Big & Rich
CD reviews for Big & Rich
Greatest Hits
Thoroughly unafraid to lead the freak parade for the better part of this decade, Big Kenny and John Rich have repeatedly demonstrated their range in each of their three studio albums, giving voice to tender ballads alongside their over-the-top party hits. That range is well-showcased here.
As is often the case with hits collections, the way you feel about this album will be directly related to how you feel about Big and Rich, a duo that has served to divide the country community between those »»» |
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
Big & Rich return with their third album of country music without prejudice, and the album feels stuck between good and bad. The album is divided into two parts, a call back to the Side A/Side B days of yore. The first half starts with a short clip and launches in the B&R's bid for the 2007 wedding market, the single "Lost in This Moment." Then things take a semi-spiritual side with the title track, "Faster Than Angels Fly," "Eternity" (featuring R&B artist John »»» |
Comin' To Your City
Big & Rich opens its second full-length CD with the sing-along line, "Somebody's got to be unafraid to lead the freak parade." It next offers up "a little bang in your yin yang," presumably to support its position as this oddball parade's grand marshal. Later in this title track, it brags of scaring the hell out of Marilyn Manson, which is hardly a believable statement: Big$Rich may be a little extreme when lined up next to the rest of conservative mainstream country »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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