January 2020 - Nashville Music Line

John Rich expands Redneck Riviera brand, launches “Pursuit” TV show

Performs at party with Cowboy Troy

By Preshias Harris

John Rich has gained international stardom, first as a member of the band Lonestar, then as a solo artist and as one half of the duo Big and Rich with Big Kenny with hits such as “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy.” He’s also a successful music producer and songwriter and part of a loosely formed group of artists known as The MuzikMafia.

Perhaps less well-known is the fact that Rich is a successful entrepreneur who has developed an entire line of products under the Redneck Riviera brand. This includes the Redneck Riviera Bar and BBQ, a restaurant and live music venue on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. He is also a generous philanthropist who has raised millions of dollars for charities, including Folds of Honor.

John Rich and I have known each since 1991. We met at a storage locker facility when he was a member of Texassee, a group that would evolve into Lonestar. I needed to get a special dress out of my locker that I wanted to wear to the CMA Awards. John was at a nearby locker getting the band’s drum kit out of storage. He graciously climbed over everything to get my dress for me – almost splitting his jeans as he did so!

Redneck Riviera brand expands

John Rich gets excited as he talks about his Redneck Riviera products. Photo: Preshias Harris

On January 11, John held a party at his Nashville home, named Mount Richmore, to celebrate the second anniversary of his Redneck Riviera whiskey that has proved to be a remarkable success in a crowded liquor market.

I joined John and members of the media as he introduced his newest products, a beverage named Howdy Dew and a line of meat snacks named Redneck Riviera Jerky. He also announced more details about his new show, set to run on Fox Nation, titled “Pursuit! With John Rich.”

Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell celebrate “What Happens in a Small Town”

First No. 1 for Lindsay Ell

By Preshias Harris

Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell got together with co-writers and members of Nashville’s music community to celebrate their Number One hit, “What Happens in a Small Town” on 08 January.

Number One parties are frequently held in one of Nashville’s many bars and honky tonks, but not this one. The celebration was held at Music City Indoor Karting, a go-kart track. There was a good reason for choosing this location. “I like to go fast. I like to go real fast!” said Gilbert with a grin. “December 18th was eight years without having a drink for me. I can still go to bars and it’s not a problem but it’s not quite as fun for me as it is for most. But this place, everyone can still drink and have a good time and I can run people into the wall!”

The story behind the song

Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell. Photo: Joseph Llanes

At the media meeting before the award presentation, Brantley, Lindsay and co-writers Josh Dunne, Rhett Akins and Brock Berryhill, talked about how the song, “What Happens in a Small Town,” came about. Brantley said he had recorded and delivered to the label (Valory Music Co / Big Machine Label Group) what he thought was everything needed for the new album, Fire’t Up.

Steeldrivers’ new album is Bad For You – in a good way

Album review by Preshias Harris

Outlaw bluegrass with a gritty, bluesy edge

All music genres seem to have sub-genres that are either extensions of the main genre or a fusion of two different but similar genres (Think: Rockabilly, for example). The Steeldrivers are a band that straddles different genres, creating music that is unique and doesn’t fit easily into any category.

They have sometimes been described as “goth-grass,” a blending of bluegrass and goth-rock. Their music is certainly anchored in the traditions of bluegrass with the familiar sound of banjo and fiddle. At the same time, their music often taps into some of the darkest depths of human emotion, giving a gothic edge to the songs.

Now comes their latest album, Bad For You (Rounder Records), set for release on 07 February, 2020, their first album since 2015’s The Muscle Shoals Recordings that won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.