Lost In This Moment

Background:

Country music singer and songwriter John Rich rose to mainstream popularity with the country group Lonestar as their bassist and occasional lead vocalist, but after producing two albums with the band Rich quit. The co-founder of MuzikMafia, an informal collection of singer-songwriter, musicians, and artists who perform together in Nashville, Rich has gained even more success and popularity with Big & Rich, a country duo he established with partner Big Kenny. Their first album, “Horse of a Different Color” (2004), was a double-platinum and a No. 1 hit on Billboard's national and country music charts, thanks largely to the popular second single “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).” ESPN utilized the song on commercials for its “World Series of Poker” shows. The second effort “Comin' to Your City” did not receive the same success as its predecessor, though the title track was again chosen by ESPN, this time to promote its college football “Game Day” show. More recently, in 2007, the duo enjoyed their first chart-topping hit with the single “Lost In This Moment,” from the 2007 album “Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace.”

“Our relationship is stronger, if anything, because of what we've gone through in the last few years. I love John like a brother, and like you and your brother, you're going to have differences from time to time. We both believe that if there's something on your mind, you talk about it and put it out there and get it resolved.” Big Kenny on John Rich and their relationship

Rich is also recognized for his impressive songwriting talents. Some of famous songs he has written include Jason Aldean's “Amarillo Sky,” Martina McBride's “She's Butterfly,” Faith Hill's “Mississippi Girl,” Wynonna's “Attitude” and Gretchen Wilson's “ Redneck Woman.”

On his own, Rich released a debut album on BNA called “Underneath the Same Moon” (2006).

The Cowboy Stevie Wonder

Childhood and Family:

John D. Rich was born on January 7, 1974, in Amarillo, Texas. His father, Jim Rich, was a Baptist clergyman. He graduated in Dickson County, Tennessee, and then moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. John Rich is known by the nickname The Cowboy Stevie Wonder.

Save a Horse

Career:

After moving to Nashville, Amarillo, Texas native John Rich found himself singing at Opryland USA. Before long, he hooked up with the group Texasee, which finally changed its name to Lonestar. Rich played the bass guitar, and occasionally sang lead for the country group, including in Lonestar's “Heartbroke Every Day.” Besides, he co-penned two of the band's singles, “Say When” and “Come Cryin' To Me.” The latter song even marked a No. 1 hit single for Lonestar. However, after recording two albums with the band, they parted ways in January 1998. On their web site, Lonestar announced that Rich left the group to pursue a solo career, although later Rich mentioned in the Big & Rich Bio that he was “fired from the band.”

Rich then became a solo artist with BNA Records, but the label did not release his album after the first two singles failed to reach the Top 40. For a time Rich felt slightly disillusioned with the music industry before he eventually co-founded a collective of musical outsiders known as the MuzikMafia and they began performing in the small bar in Nashville called the Pub of Love. Among the many members included “Big Kenny” Alphin, James Otto, Jon Nicholson and Gretchen Wilson. Along with Big Kenny, Rich formed the country duo Big & Rich. They began singing together in 2001. In addition to performing their own songs, the pair also co-wrote songs for other country artists. McBride & The Ride picked up “Amarillo Sky” for the title track of a 2000 album, but when this version was never launched as a single, Jason Aldean later recoded the song for his 2005 album. Another notable song was “She's Butterfly,” which was cut by Martina McBride in 2003 for her album, “Martina.”

Thanks to their unique dual-melody vocalization, Big & Rich soon became a darling among other members of the mafia and some fans, and in 2003, after they began officially considered as a duo, they scored a deal with Warner Bros. “Horse of a Different Color,” Rich's debut album with Big & Rich, was released in May 2004 and to everybody surprise, it peaked at No. 1 on both the Billboard national chart and the Billboard country music chart and finally received double platinum certification. The most popular song from the album was the second single “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),” which was a Top 11 country hit and featured in ESPN's commercials for its coverage of the 2005 World Series of Poker. The duo also performed the song at a CMT awards show. Other singles released from the albums included the first single “Wild West Show” (#21), “Holy Water” (#15) and “Big Time” (#20).

Later that same year, Rich embarked on a successful concert tour with the Big & Rich, a glory shared with Martina McBride and Tim McGraw, and participated in the American Revolution Tour, which Big & Rich co-headlined with other members of the MuzikMafia.

Big & Rich returned in November 2005 with their sophomore album, “Comin' to Your City.” Although its title track only reached No. 21, the adapted version of the song was used by ESPN as the opening theme for their well-liked Saturday program “College GameDay.” The next release “Never Mind Me” reached No. 34 and with their third single, “8th of November,” the duo nabbed several nominations, including Grammy.

After several years of impediment, BNA finally released Rich's solo album, “Underneath the Same Moon,” in 2006. It features guest performances from other artists like Sara Evans, the Fairfield Four, Delbert McClinton and of course, Big & Rich mate Big Kenny. Rich reunited with Big Kenny for their third album, “Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace,” in 2007. The lead single “Lost In This Moment” has become the duo's fastest rising single, climbing toward the top 10 in June 2007 and landing at No. 1 in July 2007. The second single “Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace” was released to country radio in August 2007.

“Kenny and I were blown away when “Lost In This Moment” reached No. 1 on the Country Radio charts for multiple weeks, but now hearing we are nominated for Song of the Year and Single of the Year, in addition to Top Vocal Duo of the Year...we are truly Lost in this Moment. Thank you.” John Rich

Also in 2007, Rich also appeared on Cowboy Troy's 2007 album “Black In The Saddle” under the alias J, as well as guested in Gretchen Wilson's 2007 single “Come to Bed,” which Rich also wrote. Rich has continued to write a number of charted singles, some of which with his partner Big Kenny. Before “Come to Bed,” he previously co-wrote Wilson's anthem, “Redneck Woman,” as well as “Here For the Party” and “When I Think About Cheatin.'” He is also noted for penning Faith Hill's “Mississippi Girl” and “Sunshine and Summertime,” Wynonna's “Attitude” and many others'.

Awards:
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