John Rich's 'Son Of A Preacher Man' Hits Home With Economic Woes

By Mary Morningstar
Washington
17 April 2009

'Son of a Preacher Man'

Country singer John Rich is receiving a lot of attention for his new solo album, Son Of A Preacher Man. Much of that attention has come from his hit single about the economy, a song that speaks for many Americans.  

John Rich sings the real-life tale of being the son of a minister in the title track of his new solo album.  

John got his start in Country music as a member of the Texas-based group Lonestar. He's now half of the popular Country duo Big and Rich. Last year, his musical partner, Big Kenny, needed some time off to get treatment for a pre-existing neck injury. That gave John the opportunity to record a solo project, which, he says, he would not have done without Big Kenny's blessing.

John is an award-winning songwriter and one of Nashville's most sought-after producers. People magazine named him one of most powerful people in the music industry. He's produced albums for Gretchen Wilson and James Otto, who had the Number One Country song of 2008. John also worked with former Alabama lead singer Randy Owen on his debut solo album, and with Jewel on her first Country release.

John hosts Country Music Television's annual Gone Country reality show. The series brings non-country artists to Nashville to compete for the chance to record a Country song. John produces the winner's single.

Big & Rich

In June, John will be in Nashville to appear at the CMA Music Festival. That same month, he'll reunite with Big Kenny to perform a Big and Rich concert tour that runs through late August.

The current hit from Son Of A Preacher Man became a single by chance. While John was doing a promotional radio station tour, he was asked to perform "Shuttin' Detroit Down." The song, which deals with America's financial crisis, became an immediate hit. That led Warner Brothers Records to release his album two months ahead of schedule. John drew applause from a television audience when he explained what inspired him to write "Shuttin' Detroit Down."

"I meant to write a song that described how pissed off I was about everything going on right now when I turn on my news at the end of the day," he said. "Coming from a hard-working family in Texas, you know, we lived in a double-wide trailer in West Texas. I never went to college. I've been a taxpayer my entire adult life. And, to see guys like the CEO of Merrill Lynch buying $38,000 toilets. I sat down and I wrote this song on behalf of myself, just my own feelings. This is for all the hard-working Americans across this country."