John Rich

One half of the rowdy country duo Big & Rich, John Rich was a wildly successful singer and songwriter who blended honky tonk songwriting with rock-n-roll volume and hip-hop attitude for a string of hits that included "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," "Holy Water" and "Lost in the Moment." He and partner "Big Kenny" Alphin brought a much-needed dose of levity and party-hearty exuberance to the Nashville scene, which quickly embraced them and partners in crime like Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy. Rich's solo efforts were also warmly received, as were TV projects like "Gone Country" (CMT, 2008- ) and "The Celebrity Apprentice" (NBC, 2004- ). Rich's apparent golden touch in multiple mediums elevated him beyond the country music borders into the vaunted status of media personality.