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John Rich Sued for Defamation by 'Nashville Star' Contestant

John Rich's legal entanglements just got a bit more complicated. Last week, The Boot reported that Rich had turned himself in on misdemeanor assault and harassment charges filed by former 'Nashville Star' contestant Jared Ashley. Then, four days later, Rich was asked to leave a Nashville restaurant in the early-morning hours because of alleged rowdy behavior, including his refusal to surrender a beer he was drinking.

And on Monday (June 1), Jared Ashley, who was sued by Rich in April, filed a lawsuit against the singer in Circuit Court. According to the Nashville Scene, Ashley's suit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges that "Rich and Rich's attorney defamed him by falsely telling the media that Ashley demanded $2.9 million to drop the charges."


The Scene also reports that as part of the suit, an affidavit was filed on behalf of Ashley by Robert L. Smith, a private security guard, known by patrons of the local Mercy Lounge, as "Bobby." Smith was hired to protect members of the artist collective known as the MuzikMafia, including Rich, from June 2004 to April 2006. Among the allegations in the affidavit filed by Smith - who is 6' 6" and weighs 380 lbs. - is the claim that he observed Rich "start countless verbal altercations at bars."

And there's more. An affidavit was also filed by singer-songwriter Dawn Martin, who alleges that the Gretchen Wilson/John Rich-penned 'Redneck Woman' is "substantially similar" to Martin's own song, 'Redneck Country Girl.' Martin alleges the demo was played for Rich, and that he was "extremely impressed" with the song. In addition, Martin claims she performed the song at MuzikMafia events while Rich was present.

After Gretchen Wilson reached No. 1 with 'Redneck Woman,' Martin alleges she e-mailed Rich to tell him she wasn't happy about his version of her song. She further claims his response was that she should "really think about the consequences of your accusations before you start slinging them around the Internet."

Big & Rich Tour Dates
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cat2036

John Rich has such incredible talent. Big and Rich are really great, but his new solo album is absolutely fantastic. It is such a shame to sit back and watch him make such a public spectacle of himself with his drunken brawls. It's ok to have a few drinks, or even more than a few sometimes, but to get drunk when you know you become an SOB and pick fights when you drink too much is ridiculous.

John, It seems all your troubles are from being out drunk at 3 am. Go home, John. Go home to your wife! There is nothing but trouble from being out that time of the morning, especially when you've had too much to drink. Your fans would rather see you as a sweet, Christian, conservative, country gentleman, than a drunk.

P.S. You were great on Hanity and Beck. Would love to see you on Huckaby with the little rockers. Maybe he could pray with you and knock some sense into your head!

June 15 2009 at 9:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
C. T.

John Rich has a hard time lugging that massive ego around with him everywhere he goes. He single-handedly ruined Nashville Star, a sweet little show back when Phil Vasser was a part of it. Leave it to John "Don't You know Who I Am" Rich to destroy everything because it has to ALL be about him. A shame really, he has a lot of talent but if he was as great as he THINKS he is, he wouldn't constantly have to do be a big mouth show-off trying to prove it.

June 08 2009 at 5:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nut

another case for the little-Big man syndrome

June 05 2009 at 2:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cclay

WHO is the country star mentioned in the headline?

June 05 2009 at 1:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dscentral

idiot with money

June 05 2009 at 1:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dian61

God bless John Rich's wife because this man seems to have atemper. He should try staying out of the pubs. Maybe he needs to spend a little time in the slammer. I love some of his music and i enjoy watching Gone Country but he needs to act like a star and stop acting like a hooligan!

June 05 2009 at 1:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Erika

This just proves that country is for hayseeds. And they all look stupid in their hats.

P.S. Garth Brooks could stand to lose some weight

June 05 2009 at 1:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
K2B2

Master Robert: You should be slapped for what you wrote. Republicans have not nor will will they ever be terrorists. Get your verbage straight before you decide to write anything. You show just how inspidly stupid you and Anna really are.
The fact that John Rich is a Republican (well I don't know if he's a Republican and neither do you)...so a Conservative bears the biggest reason these things are going on. I dare say..a rapper..a lib...would get away with worse or have done worse. So, before you call republicans a terrorist you ignoramous I'd look in the mirror to see just how you terrorize the English language.

June 05 2009 at 12:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jen

HaHaHaHa!! This is all too funny. John Rich majorly sucks!

June 05 2009 at 12:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Georgette

Well, he and his pal just lost my listen' ears. I don't care how patriotic some of his/their songs are. Poor, poor behavior. :(

June 05 2009 at 12:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply