John Rich is busy railing at the corporate fat cats 'Shuttin' Detroit Down,' in his new single. He's also taking aim at network television big wigs, particularly those at NBC who worked with him on the reality competition show, 'Nashville Star.' "The folks in New York at NBC -- there's some good folks up there, but I swear to God they don't know jack about country music," Rich said in a recent interview with Sirius XM radio.
"I wouldn't touch 'Nashville Star' with a 40-foot pole," he insisted in another interview, with Nashville's Tennessean newspaper. "NBC completely bastardized what country music is about."
Rich says once NBC began airing the singing competition, they insisted on infusing the show with pop music.
"We've got a guy named Kenny Chesney who's 40 years old, who's an east Tennessee hillbilly who sells 80,000 tickets a show," Rich said. "We don't need the other people's music to make us cool enough to listen to."
Rich also revealed that he's likely to be involved in another season of CMT's 'Gone Country,' and added that 'Nashville Star' was at least responsible for helping to find some talented performers.
"Melissa Lawson [the show's 2008 champ] is over the top and not anywhere close to being out of the ball game. You will be hearing more out of her," he insisted.
Rich is set to release his solo album, 'Son of a Preacher Man,' on Tuesday. Its second single, 'Shuttin' Detroit Down,' is already a Top 15 hit after just seven weeks on the charts.
CountryScene
Sexy couple Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban shopping for fragrance in Santa Monica at Fred Segal store Feb23, 2009
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Jimmy Wayne pays a visit to the set of ABC's 'Extreme Home Makeover,' on location in Montgomery, Ala.
Courtesy of the Valory Music Co.
Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift arrives to the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Musician Keith Urban, actress Nicole Kidman and musician Paul McCartney in the audience at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Larry Busacca, Getty Images
Lady Antebellum arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
LeAnn Rimes, left, and Sheryl Crow present the award for best country performance by a duo or group at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Country singer Trace Adkins arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on February 8, 2009. Adkins is nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
Musician Jamey Johnson arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Kenny Chesney performs at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Carrie Underwood holds the Grammy award for the Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Last Name", in the photo room of the 51st annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 8, 2009.
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Scootieat 3-25-2009
Amazing - this guy complains about NBC "cheapening" country music and yet his solo album has the title of a song that has been covered TWICE back in the 60's (Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield). Talk about ORIGINALITY!! Hey John - on your next album - try an ORIGINAL TITLE - not a song from 40 + years ago!!
DANIELat 3-25-2009
John Rich is a loser. He says that Nashville Star is trying to infuse country with "pop" but his own cheesy show called "Gone Country" is all about bringing NON Country singers (sometimes pop.. see this yrs winner Sheila E.) to the country audience.
I think John Rich is jealous. When did he become the authority on country music?? He has only had a few minor hits as part of a group.
We are over John Rich. His comments on whats happening in the industry are not important.
James and Elenaat 3-26-2009
EXACTLY what I was thinking! This guy needs a reality check.
margieat 3-28-2009
Yea, and Sebastian Bach won last season!
janetat 3-25-2009
yep daniel...LOSER was correct
myrtat 3-25-2009
counrty sucks
jpuzzlewhizat 3-27-2009
Hey, RAP sucks.
In fact, rap F'N sucks!
darylmj08at 3-25-2009
Hey, John Rich, if you want to be in a reality TV show like you've never seen, check out "TPA: Montana"
www.thirdpositionjustice.net
ladyredskinsat 3-25-2009
John Rich has an arrogance about him. He thinks he is so much better than he really is and he isn't very good. He needs a reality check. I do not like him and when he is on tv I change the channel. He is not a country star, he tries to be a country singer.
almaginnesat 3-25-2009
The guy from Big & Rich is complaining about someone screwing up country music?
judie2cutieat 3-25-2009
Scootie
at 3-25-2009
It's a different song you idiot!!!!!
barton4001at 3-25-2009
George Clinton should have one and shook you country tricks up!
ldohveat 3-26-2009
John Rich is one of the greatest songwriters and musicians out there. He has worked hard to get where he is and nobody has the right to put him down. I have to agree that Nashville Star did not do a good job protraying Country Music. Country Music and John Rich Rock!!!!
susanctuary78at 3-27-2009
Well, at least he didn't trash Jeffrey Steele. John Rich couldn't shine Steele's shoes.
ngrtonyat 3-28-2009
I totally agree with you.