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Worst Country Songs That Were Big Hits Poll – Response

 

Recently, The Boot ran a Facebook poll that asked readers what the worst country hits were. I had a look through some of the answers and some were expected, and some totally surprised me, so I thought I’d share this list with you and a few of my comments. Here’s the top 10 counting down.

10. Shania Twain – That Don’t Impress Me Much

I get this. One of the main things that underlies country fans’ criticisms of songs is the lack of ‘country’ they feel is present. Though I loved this song as a kid growing up, it was because of its poppiness, not because it was a great country song. Its bouncy chirpiness and connections to novelties probably didn’t do a lot for its popularity with die-hard country fans either.

9. Jason Aldean – Dirt Road Anthem

I can see why people were annoyed by this one. I personally found it all kinds of oddness, despite the fact it was a huge hit. Brantley Gilbert is a talented writer but I actually preferred his remixed version, although it was even further from ‘country’ than Jason’s. The slow rap is not a thing.

8. Sugarland – Stuck Like Glue

WHAT EVEN THE WHAT. I love this song. A lot. It is so catchy and the video is probably one of my all-time favorite country music videos. It’s hysterical and I just don’t understand how anyone can truly hate this song. Sure, they might be annoyed by its catchiness, but I like to call those people spoilsports and the ‘cool kids’ who pretend not to love ‘Call Me Maybe’ by Carly Rae Jepsen but rock out to it in the shower. However, this song is far, far better than that and there is no excuse whatsoever for not loving it.

Big Kenny Alphin honored at African Children's Choir Gala

I love me some Big Kenny from Big & Rich. I love him from the top of his top hat to the bottom of his homeless chic wardrobe.

I just love his whole vibe and hope to someday really freak him out by giving him a sneak attack hug.  

Well Big Kenny was recently awarded the African Children's Choir Malaika Award for his work in the Sudan. 

Congrats Kenny! Now gimme a hug. 

Big Kenny Alphin, one half of country’s rockin’ duo Big & Rich, was the 2nd US recipient of the African Children’s Choir Malaika Award. In recognition of his work in the Sudan, The African Children’s Choir presented the Malaika Award to Alphin during its 4^th Annual Benefit Gala in New York City on December 3^rd. John Rich surprised those in attendance as well as friend Damien Horne of THE FARM. Other celebrities in attendance included Nashville’s Connie Britton, Political Animals’ Carla Guigino, Broadway star Stephanie Block, Miss New York 2012, Mallory Hagan, Miss Washington DC 2012, Allyn Rose, Former Miss New York and ACC board member Kaitlin Monte and Fox Morning Extra’s Tom Murro. The event raised over $50,000 for the ACC, marking its best event to date.

As the ACC’s most prestigious form of recognition, the Malaika Award is presented to individuals for outstanding work on behalf of Africa’s most vulnerable children. The statuette is symbolic of the beauty, hardship, and hope found in many African faces. To date, five individuals have been presented with The Malaika Award including Rt. Hon Gordon Brown MP, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; President George Bush for his approval of legislation combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases in Africa, and most recently to Sir Bob Geldorf.

 

Big & Rich are currently having a fashion crisis and need your help

So last night I was chillin out, maxin, relaxing all cool, and all shooting some b-ball outside of the school....

Oh wait, that was the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Anyway, last night I was actually chillin' out on my couch watching TV with the family when my phone started going crazy. 

CRAZY I SAY!

I checked it out and I was getting bombarded by Facebook and Twitter followers about Big Kenny from Big & Rich losing or having a special vest of his stolen. It's not really clear what happened other than the fringed leather vest went missing from Big & Rich's show at Yallapalooza in Kansas City on Saturday. 

Big Kenny tweeted yesterday: 

RT Here's picture of my #HillbillyJedi vesthandmade by my family and possessing superhero RAWK @bigandrich powers. twitter.com/BigKennyTV/sta…

— Big Kenny Alphin (@BigKennyTV) September 9, 2012

Later on B&R's Facebook was a post that said:  

VEST alert! Big Kenny's vest went Missing Sept. 8th, 2012 during the show @ "Yallapalooza" Livestrong Sporting Park, Kansas City. Kenny and his family made it together last year. It is very dear to him. Any help in recovering the vest would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!- Team Big & Rich

It's unfortunate and I hope if a fan took it, they do the nice thing and return it. 

Interesting album cover of the day: Big & Rich 'Hillbilly Jedi'

Well, despite the fact that there's already a band out there with the name Hillbilly Jedi, Big Kenny and John Rich decided to go ahead and run with this name for their new CD. 

And if their CD cover is any indication, the album should be....interesting.

The boys should definitely have a photo op at their concerts that lets fans take a photo and be put on the album cover as a souvenir. This CD cover just begs to be a concert photo booth background. 

If you'd like to hear one of the songs on the album (besides the already released That's Why I Pray), you can head over to the 'Hillbilly Jedi' website, enter your email, and listen to Born Again. Check it out here.

'Hillbilly Jedi' is set to released September 18. 

Track List:

1. Born Again
2. Cowboyz
3. That's Why I Pray
4. Lay It All On Me
5. Last Words
6. Rock The Boat
7. Can't Be Satisfied
8. Get Your Game On
9. Cuz I Play Guitar 
10. Cheat On You
11. Never Far Away
12. Hillbilly Jedi Medley

Radio station uses Big & Rich's 'That's Why I Pray' to memorialize victims of Aurora, Colorado shooting

Fort Wayne's K105 created this memorial video to Friday's theater shooting victims in Aurora, Colorado using Big & Rich's That's Why I Pray. 

The song definitely fits the events.  

On a side note, yes, they got the date wrong in the video. 

Big & Rich release new video for "That's Why I Pray"

Big&Rich succeed in impressing me with the artwork for their new single

Wow, this is the second time in a short amount of time that I've actually really liked an album artwork, or in this case the artwork for a single.  

The first was Kenny Chesney's "Welcome to the Fishbowl" and now Big&Rich have revealed the really cool artwork for their new single That's Why I Pray. 

Maybe the record labels are actually spending a little extra money to make the album covers appealing....or maybe it's just a fluke.  

In any case, bravo B&R.

From the press release:

Today, the GRAMMY nominated duo, Big & Rich, reveal to fans their graceful new cover art for their single “That’s Why I Pray.” The cover, which is the first they have actually appeared on, depicts the fine line between their hell-raising ways and knowing every day of their lives is a blessing. “That’s Why I Pray” will be available May 22^nd, with the album to follow later this fall.

So far I can't find the That's Why I Pray so you can listen to it, but here's a video of them performing the song live.  

Concert featuring Big & Rich, Kellie Pickler, and Darius Rucker set to raise money for St. Jude Children's Hospital

Such a good cause.  John Rich is a massive supporter of St. Jude Children's Hospital and famously raised $700,000 for the research hospital with his win on Celebrity Apprentice last year.  Now John's getting some friends in on the act and will be headlining the St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends concert on June 5 at the Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn. 

Also set to join John will be Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Jeff Foxworthy, and Big Kenny Alphin who will perform with John as Big & Rich.  

Check out Full details from Market Watch below:

Star-studded event kicks off the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic.

John Rich, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Jeff Foxworthy and Big & Rich will perform at the St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends concert on June 5 at the Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn. The event will serve as the first-ever concert kick off for the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic. Window World® and First Tennessee Bank will serve as presenting sponsors for the event. This year, as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization is thankful to all of its supporters who make it possible for the hospital to provide exceptional care to children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases, all while ensuring that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.

"The John Rich & Friends concert is an incredible way for us to kick off this year's FedEx St. Jude Classic and celebrate the 50th anniversary of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "This year's tournament is about so much more than golf. We've planned a full week of events for our supporters to enjoy while also helping St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children."

Sorry Big & Rich but Hillbilly Jedi is already taken

Listen up Big & Rich fanboys and girls, you can now breathe a sigh of relief because the rockin' duo is gearing up to record a new album and 2012 is going to be their year.

At least according to John Rich who tells The Tennessean, “Everything about Big & Rich is kicking back into gear in 2012.”

“People said, ‘Where you all been for the last few years?’ Well, it’s pretty simple: writing songs and making babies.”

Now that the babies are birthed and the music has been written, the duo will be working on a new album and luckily, thanks to Jon Bon Jovi, they have the perfect title for their new album....Hillbilly Jedis.

“It came out in a writing session we were doing with Richie Sambora and Bon Jovi we were doing the other week,” Alphin says. “They are going to record the song on our new album and a line in the song was hillbilly jedis with attitude. All of a sudden, Bon Jovi stops and says, ‘Hillbilly Jedis? That’s it. I’d buy that shirt.’ We were like, ‘Hey, that’s about a descriptive as you can get of what we are.’”

Well Hillbilly Jedis sounds like a great album title and perfectly fitting to Big & Rich....only one problem, there's already a band out there with the name Hillbilly Jedi who I'm sure will be thanking their lucky stars when the free publicity starts coming their way.  

Like most bands making a living playing the bar and club circuit, they're actually pretty good.  Check 'em out below.

So do you think John and Big Kenny will still go with Hillbilly Jedis for their new album?

Wow, John Rich just had a second baby that no one knew was coming

Now this is how you fly under the radar.  

John Rich did Celebrity Apprentice and has been out touring with Big & Rich and somehow word never got out that he and his wife were expecting a new bundle of joy.  

Well they were, but lo and behold John's wife Joan has already popped the little bugger out.

John announced the happy news on his Facebook page today:

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the world.. "Colt Daniel Rich!" 7lbs14ozs, born 9-29-11....He's a real "Son of a Gun!" VERY Proud!!

Guess that keeping the little woman barefoot and pregnant and out of the public eye is working out fabulously!

Congrats to John and Joan and big brother Cash Rich on the new addition to their family.  

Thanks to my friendly neighborhood Gabber who texted me the news.  

Update: I've read a lot of comments in various places around the web and no, I don't hate John Rich, I'm actually very happy for him and his growing family and could care less if he keeps his wife out of the public eye.  I'm actually kind of in awe that he's able to do it so well.  I just write things as they come to me so all you Big & Rich fans with your pitchforks out, you can put them away for now.  Oh, and I'm really flattered that some of you think John Rich knows who I am and actually cares about what I write him - I think you're probably giving me more credit than I deserve, but thanks anyway.