Keith Urban and Big & Rich in downtown Nashville

I walked out of Legends on 5th and Broadway the night that the CMA Awards Show was ending at the Sommet Center (2007 i think) and I ran into Big & Rich and Keith Urban standing there talking. I stood there about 3 ft away just taking it all in. A crowd started gathering so John Rich and Keith Urban hailed a cab and sped off leaving Big Kenny and his wife just standing there.

Read Terry's whole story here... http://www.webbspunideas.com/news.html

Nashville Wine Press Interviews Big Kenny of Big and Rich

Big Kenny is living large. As one half of the huge country duo Big & Rich, Big Kenny is playing big arenas, writing big hits, wearing big hats, and sharing big ideas while celebrating the gift of life. But to interview him is kind of like herding cats—you just go with the flow ‘cause he knows how to bring it back home.

Jimmy Collins: When it comes to wine, are you an appreciator and student or simply a drinker of wine?

Big Kenny: I’m slowly traveling from a drinker who really enjoys it…it’s slowed me down from my Crown Royal habit. I started hanging around some friends who started teaching me about wine. On our radio tour in 2004, we were with the promotions staff at a finer restaurant and we had their credit card to use. Well, John and I thought since we had someone else’s credit card to use that, by gosh, we should take a chance to find out what really good wine is all about. I remember asking the sommelier, “What do you recommend on this list?” She said, “By all means I would have the Haut-Brion.” I think it was a 1988 or ‘89. It was off the charts. We had been drinking some good wine by then, though. When John and I signed our record deal we went over to the management office and they opened a 1988 Silver Oak. So we were slowly being introduced to some of the finer stuff. Once we were doing OK and I could pay off over $150,000 in credit card debt and buy a home with a cellar, a childhood friend started sending me wine. I got a pretty doggone good collection. I don’t know what half of the stuff is, but all I know is that it is good!

Jimmy Collins: As a consumer/collector, what style or region do you lean towards?

Big Kenny: I think the greatest thing that the French have to offer us—other than starting to step into international diplomacy, which I really appreciate—is their wine. I am totally into French wine and I think we should drink all of it. Until you’ve tasted a 1989 Chateau Lafite Rothschild from the Pauillac region, you just haven’t experienced what wine is all about. Although with an American wine, if I had my choice, I love the Opus One, but you have to hit the right years with those. I have a case or two of the 2001 in my cellar. I think it’s fantastic but that was a combination of an American vintner, Robert Mondavi, and a French vintner, Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The two came together and did something good. It’s like when Big & Rich formed—worlds collided and two forms of music were smashed together and that’s what made it successful. I also like Meritages, especially the Clos du Bois Marlstone. A friend gives me French wine and the Châteauneuf du Pape I have fallen in love with. I also have a case of different Pinots down here to see what I like. I like some Australian wines, South American wines, and I love some Oregon wines. We are making some great wines in this country, too, don’t get me wrong—Cakebread, Caymus, Insignia—there is phenomenal stuff here.

Read the entire, fun interview in the Nashville Wine Press.

Big & Rich Concert Reviews From Around the Country

I love to hear the stories of our local boys while they are out on the road. Love to hear that they could entertain and blow away a crowd even if they aren't 100%.

Keep up the work Kenny and John....



Duo Big and Rich's brand of dynamic country music can rock any venue.

The band, part of Nashville's fraternal Musik Mafia, did just that last night when they brought their rebel-rousing exuberant show to Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Ind.

Big Kenny and John Rich, touring in support of their latest album "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace," performed a 90-minute show filled with their signature hard-driving country/rock tunes.

On the bill with Big and Rich were other Musik Mafia members rapping Cowboy Troy, James Otto and Two-Foot Fred who helped promote the fun-loving party atmosphere.

Audience members didn't stay in their seats for long at this concert. From the moment Cowboy Troy took the stage with his "Hick-Hop" sound to the opening strains of Big and Rich's guitars and the finale featuring all the musicians, fans remained up on their feet and dancing.

Read the entire review in the Daily Southtown.



Big & Rich are -- how shall I put this? -- the most unusual duo in the history of country music.
Their albums are a swirling, intoxicating blend of country, rock, gospel, pop and rap. Their concerts are like a collision between a circus and a freak show. But their career has been a roller coaster.

After playing to more than 14,000 at Xcel Energy Center in November 2005, Big & Rich returned Sunday to 2,100 fans at Mystic Showroom at Mystic Lake Casino. The duo didn't seem as wired, weird and wild as at Xcel. Early on, John Rich realized the odds were against him at a booze-free casino.

After Big & Rich's third number, "Wild West Show," Rich learned from fans that alcohol wasn't being served. "Are you kidding me?" he said. "Who needs a drink? I've got one. It's a Crown and 7. Ladies, pass that around the front row. We gotta rock extra hard if you aren't extra drunk!"

Visit the Star Tribune for the rest of the review.

Nashville Celebrates Country

Monday, November 5

Music City Walk of Fame Induction
3:00 – 5:00 pm/central time
Hall of Fame Park
FREE and open to the public
Six musical luminaries will be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, which begins at the Hall of Fame Park and works its way up Demonbreun Street toward Music Row on the Music Mile. The 2007 class of includes Rodney Crowell, Bob DiPiero, Vince Gill, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Killen, and Barbara Mandrell.

Music on the Horizon
7:30 PM/CT
City Hall, 405 12th Avenue South
$10
Presented by CMA, Music on the Horizon showcases the most highly anticipated new artists in Country Music. This concert event will feature performances by Laura Bryna, Crossin Dixon, Jennifer Hanson, Jypsi, Lady Antebellum, James Otto and Chuck Wicks. The event is sponsored by American Airlines and Dr. Pepper®.

Tuesday, November 6

Chevy Music Tour Concert
5:30 – 7:30PM
Sommet Center Plaza
FREE and open to the public
Chevy presents a free-to-the-public concert in Downtown Nashville on the Chevy Stage featuring performances by Emerson Drive, Phil Vassar and a surprise guest

Wednesday, November 7

Good Morning America
7:00 – 8:00 am/central time
Sommet Center Plaza,
FREE and open to the public
Big & Rich kick off CMA Awards day with a concert performance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
The public is invited to come out for this free event on the Chevy Stage at the Sommet Center plaza on the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. (Please be advised that Fifth Avenue is closed between Broadway and Demonbreun; and Demonbreun is closed between Fifth and Sixth Avenue.)

Visit CMA Award/events for more events and concerts.