Bio
The Texas native, most recently known as one half of the multi-platinum Warner Bros. Records duo, Big & Rich, has been honing his writing skills for years. He has made a name for himself as an artist in his own right, a producer, an award-winning songwriter, judge on Nashville Star (NBC), and host of the smash hit series Gone Country (CMT).
In addition to his accolades as a performer and songwriter, Rich has helped other artists catapult to stardom along the way. Currently named one of People Magazine’s most powerful people in the music industry, John has managed to create his own musical movement better known as the “MuzikMafia.”
Several years ago, Rich, Big Kenny, and a group of friends began playing out 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) – the MuzikMafia. Gradually, the movement turned into one of the most exciting scenes in Nashville. Other founding members include multi-platinum selling artist, and the Academy of Country Music’s female vocalist of the year, Gretchen Wilson, Warner Bros. Records artists James Otto, who debuted # 3 on the Top 200 chart in April 2008 and Cowboy Troy. Eventually it led to the pairing of John Rich and Big Kenny – thus creating Big & Rich.
While John is hard at work on his own career, he is simultaneously working to further the careers of other members of the MuzikMafia and artistic community. He co-produced not only his own Big & Rich record Horse Of A Different Color, but Gretchen Wilson’s first and second records, Cowboy Troy and James Otto’s current records, Randy Owen of Alabama’s first solo record, and Jewel’s first country record.
Rich'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, Rich was awarded the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award in 2005, 2006 and 2007. He is the only artist to receive the award three years consecutively. In June 2007, Rich 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, Rich and Big Kenny received the President's Award For Excellence in the Arts award recognizing 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 10 hit in 2006.
Rich currently lives in Nashville.
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