Big & Rich
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Big & Rich | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Background information | ||
| Genre(s) | Country Country rock |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals Guitar |
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| Years active | 1998 - Present | |
| Associated acts |
MuzikMafia Gretchen Wilson James Otto Cowboy Troy |
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| Website | http://www.bigandrich.com | |
Big & Rich is an American country music duo comprising Big Kenny (Kenny Alphin, former solo artist, lead singer for luvjOi) and John Rich (former vocalist and bassist of Lonestar). They first performed together in 1998.
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[edit] History
Although the duo has performed together since 1998, Big Kenny and John Rich had both recorded solo albums in 1999 (but neither album was released until 2005). Both albums featured a song the two had written together, called "I Pray For You". In addition, the pair co-wrote a song called "Amarillo Sky" for McBride & the Ride. While McBride & the Ride never released their version, Jason Aldean recorded the song for his 2005 debut album, and took the song to #4 in early 2007.
Alphin and Rich eventually had their song "She's a Butterfly" cut by Martina McBride in 2003; the duo also sang harmony on the song. Big & Rich landed a record deal a few months later. Their first album Horse of a Different Color (2004) reached number one in both the Billboard national chart as well as the Billboard country music chart. The most successful song from the album was the second single, the smash hit "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." This song reached #11 on country radio, and received wider exposure when ESPN featured the song in commercials for its coverage of the 2005 World Series of Poker. Big & Rich also showcased this song in a country-rap music blowout to conclude a CMT awards show.
In 2004, Big & Rich shared a nationwide sell-out stadium tour with Martina McBride and Tim McGraw. Later that year, the duo embarked on the American Revolution Tour which they coheadlined with Gretchen Wilson and other members of their renegade group known as the MuzikMafia. A live version of the band covering Madonna's "Like a Virgin" has also made its way onto the web.
Their sophomore album, Comin' To Your City, was released on November 15, 2005. The single "Comin' To Your City" has grown to be their signature song; so much so that ESPN has utilized an altered version of it as the opening theme for their popular Saturday program College GameDay. The album also featured a re-recording of "I Pray For You".
Big Kenny's solo CD from 1999, Live a Little, and John Rich's solo CD from 1999 Underneath The Same Moon were also re-released in 2005. Big Kenny and his wife, Christiev, welcomed a son on November 2, 2005. They named him Lincoln William Holiday and John Rich was named his godfather. Big and Rich also co-headlined in the "Deuces Wild" tour with Brooks & Dunn and the Warren Brothers.
In 2006, Big & Rich released a single, "8th of November", inspired by the story of Niles Harris. A subsequent documentary titled "The 8th of November: a true American story of honor" was released also, debuting on Great American Country television network over the July 4 weekend. The documentary tells the story of Niles Harris and shows the making of the music video for the single. The documentary was included in 48 tablet boxes of Prilosec OTC.
During a benefit concert held on October 9, 2006 in Atlanta, GA to raise money for the construction of the 173d Airborne Memorial, Big & Rich were awarded the status of Honorary Members of the 503d Regiment of the 173d Airborne Brigade. The concert was the subject of a documentary on Great American Country in November 2006.
Their new single is called "Lost in this Moment" from their new album slated to come out on or around June 5, 2007 titled "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace". Co-writers of "Lost in This Moment" include John Rich, Rodney Clawson, and Keith Anderson.
[edit] Criticism
Although Big & Rich have many admirers from the more mainstream country genre (notably Martina McBride and Tim McGraw), they have been heavily criticized by those who feel that their kind of country music is destroying the genre completely. Generally, these critics come from Neotraditional Country sectors, as well as from country music's purists and elders. The duo mocks this criticism in the opening song of Horse of a Different Color, "Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)".
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Album | Statistics |
|---|---|
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Horse of a Different Color
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Big & Rich's Super Galactic Fan Pack
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Comin' To Your City
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Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
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[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Country | |||
| 2004 | "Wild West Show" | #85 | #21 | Horse of a Different Color |
| 2005 | "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" | #56 | #11 | Horse of a Different Color |
| 2004 | "Holy Water" | #75 | #15 | Horse of a Different Color |
| 2005 | "Big Time" | - | #20 | Horse of a Different Color |
| 2005 | "Our America" (with Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy) | - | #44 | Comin' To Your City |
| 2005 | "Comin' To Your City" | #72 | #21 | Comin' To Your City |
| 2006 | "Never Mind Me" | - | #34 | Comin' To Your City |
| 2006 | "8th of November" | #94 | #18 | Comin' To Your City |
| 2007 | "Lost In This Moment"A | #72 | #24 | Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace |
ACurrently active on charts.
[edit] Filmography
- The 8th of November: A True American Story of Honor (2006) (Documentary)
[edit] External links
- Official site, Flash 6 required
- Big & Rich's latest bio, news, photo galleries, and Fan Q&A at Great American Country
- 8th of November Documentary Web Site
- Big & Rich feature and CD reviews at Country Standard Time
- Big & Rich's - Super Galactic Fan Pak
