Music Metrics Vault

Big & Rich

Data updated on 2024-12-01 15:05:57 UTC
A pair of gonzo country showmen initially shunned by the Nashville mainstream but eventually becoming the face of Music City as the 2000s drew to a close, Big & Rich were the most unlikely country success story of the new millennium. They didn't appear from nowhere, but when Horse of a Different Color exploded in 2004, it sure seemed like they did, memories of John Rich's time in Lonestar vanishing, along with any trace of Big Kenny's years struggling on the fringes of major-label studios. In its place was something cheerfully, grotesquely super-sized, happy to revel in a bad taste that camouflaged exactly how eclectic the duo was, how Big & Rich happily pushed hip-hop braggadocio into their rocking country, building their music on chant-along sports anthems and ballads, the former showcasing their humor, the latter their sentimentality. Soon after "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" because a smash, Big & Rich started firing out hits, not just as performers but as writer/producers, turning Gretchen Wilson into a star, assisting in John Anderson's comeback, and supporting novelties like country-rapper Cowboy Troy. Their oversized, out-of-control train steamrolled throughout the back half of the '90s, with Rich slowly ingratiating himself in the establishment -- appearing as a judge on Nashville Star, the country American Idol knockoff -- and Big Kenny once again turning toward the fringes, only this time working with the added benefit of being able to have his music be heard.

If Big & Rich seemed like an ungainly match, it's because they came from quite different backgrounds: Rich taking the traditional Music City path via Lonestar, and Big Kenny Alphin working as a pro songwriter, dabbling in both country and rock. They paired up in 1998, starting a regular performing group called the MuzikMafia, which appeared at a Nashville club on a regular basis for several years. Big & Rich worked on new material, both as a team and separately, building a reputation that started to crest in 2003, when Martina McBride recorded their "She's a Butterfly." Soon, the duo signed with Warner Nashville, which released their first single, "Wild West Show," early in 2004 with the full-length Horse of a Different Color appearing that spring. Thanks to the near-novelty "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," a boisterous blend of rockin' country and old-school rap, the album turned into something of a phenomenon and Big & Rich were ready to seize this opportunity, pushing themselves and their MuzikMafia. First out of the gate was Gretchen Wilson, whose 2004 debut, Here for the Party, was produced by Rich, who also wrote many of the songs, including its hit "Redneck Women." The group's country rapper comrade Cowboy Troy was next in line, releasing his debut in 2005.

By the time Big & Rich released their sophomore album, Comin' to Your City, in time for the holiday season of 2005, they were dominating country music, with Rich in particular popping up all over the place, producing John Anderson's comeback and judging Nashville Star. Comin' to Your City showed signs of Big & Rich turning their schtick into formula, but the record went into the Top Ten and had several hits. The group's momentum didn't slow until 2007, when their third album, Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace, performed only respectably. Big & Rich decided to devote 2009 to solo projects, with Rich's Son of a Preacher Man appearing in the spring and Kenny's Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy in the fall, followed by a hits collection of the group's first three albums. The duo reunited in 2012 as Big & Rich for their fourth studio album, Hillbilly Jedi, which featured a pair of songs co-written with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi was also instrumental in getting clearance from George Lucas to use the term "Jedi" in the album title).

Hillbilly Jedi didn't do much on the charts; it entered Billboard's country charts at four and the Billboard 200 at 25, and only the lead single, "That's Why I Pray," made waves, with the subsequent singles failing to crack the Top 40. The duo quickly returned to the studio, working on their fifth album throughout 2013. By the time 2014 arrived, Big & Rich severed ties with Warner and started their own label, also called Big & Rich. The first release on the label was the single "Look at You," which appeared in early 2014 and went into the Billboard country Top 20. The full-length Gravity saw the comedic duo opting for a softer, melodic direction; it was released in September 2014. In April 2017, the duo issued the single "California" in anticipation of the release of their sixth studio LP. Released on September 15, 2017, Did It for the Party debuted at two on Billboard's Country Albums chart. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

927.2 million
Updated on 2024-12-01

Monthly listeners

2,233,519

Followers

1,227,679

Top Cities

  1. Australia
    53,091 listeners
  2. Australia
    50,485 listeners
  3. Canada
    32,503 listeners
  4. Australia
    37,198 listeners
  5. United States
    34,930 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)
254,510,184 3:20 2004-04-20
Save a horse (Ride A Cowboy)
Save a horse (Ride A Cowboy)
254,510,184 3:21 2009-01-01
Fake ID (feat. Gretchen Wilson)
Fake ID (feat. Gretchen Wilson)
83,358,937 3:23 2011-05-17
Run Away with You
Run Away with You
48,037,692 3:45 2014-09-23
Lovin' Lately
Lovin' Lately
36,057,355 3:39 2014-09-23
California
California
33,250,765 3:22 2017-09-15
Look at You
Look at You
26,492,410 3:44 2014-09-23
Lost in This Moment
Lost in This Moment
21,683,405 3:31 2007-01-01
Lost In This Moment
Lost In This Moment
21,683,405 3:33 2009-01-01
Comin' to Your City
Comin' to Your City
14,491,199 3:27 2005-11-15
Comin' To The City
Comin' To The City
14,491,199 3:29 2009-01-01
Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)
Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)
12,046,253 4:50 2004-04-20
8th of November
8th of November
11,452,395 4:58 2005-11-15
That's Why I Pray
That's Why I Pray
6,735,632 4:02 2012-09-18
Holy Water
Holy Water
5,771,151 4:17 2004-04-20
I Play Chicken with the Train (with Big & Rich)
I Play Chicken with the Train (with Big & Rich)
5,385,720 3:19 2005-04-12
Shake It
Shake It
4,542,128 3:21 2012-04-03
California
California
4,493,643 3:26 2015-01-01
Party Like Cowboyz - Galactic Version
Party Like Cowboyz - Galactic Version
3,288,634 3:34 2012-09-18
Big Time
Big Time
3,217,895 3:56 2004-04-20
Wild West Show
Wild West Show
3,177,444 4:21 2004-04-20
Live This Life
Live This Life
2,443,559 4:24 2004-04-20
Drink Drank Drunk (feat. Big & Rich and Big Smo)
Drink Drank Drunk (feat. Big & Rich and Big Smo)
2,140,019 2:58 2014-03-11
Kick My Ass
Kick My Ass
2,114,903 4:59 2004-04-20
Rock the Boat (feat. Cowboy Troy)
Rock the Boat (feat. Cowboy Troy)
2,068,759 4:04 2012-09-18
Loud
Loud
1,938,944 3:01 2007-01-01
Brand New Buzz
Brand New Buzz
1,873,645 3:23 2014-01-01
Born Again (feat. Bon Jovi)
Born Again (feat. Bon Jovi)
1,721,937 3:55 2012-09-18
8th of November
8th of November
1,677,471 3:30 2009-01-01
Smoke in Her Eyes
Smoke in Her Eyes
1,575,975 3:12 2017-09-15
That's How They Do It In Dixie
That's How They Do It In Dixie
1,562,901 3:16 2006-06-27
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Dance Mix
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Dance Mix
1,525,290 4:23 2004-11-02
Deadwood Mountain
Deadwood Mountain
1,463,044 5:11 2004-04-20
Love Train
Love Train
1,458,917 3:47 2004-04-20
Six Foot Town
Six Foot Town
1,397,772 3:48 2004-04-20
Jalapeño
Jalapeño
1,277,558 2:58 2005-11-15
Jalapeno
Jalapeno
1,277,558 2:58 2009-01-01
Did It for the Party
Did It for the Party
1,004,342 3:01 2017-09-15
Daisy Dukes and Cowboy Boots (feat. Big & Rich)
Daisy Dukes and Cowboy Boots (feat. Big & Rich)
958,095 2:34 2014-03-11
Soul Shaker
Soul Shaker
937,453 3:05 2005-11-15
Wild West Show
Wild West Show
927,735 4:00 2009-01-01
Gravity
Gravity
897,869 3:55 2014-09-23
Get Your Game On (Unleash the Beast Version) [feat. Cowboy Troy]
Get Your Game On (Unleash the Beast Version) [feat. Cowboy Troy]
873,871 3:32 2012-09-18
Good Ole Days (feat. Brad Arnold & Big & Rich)
Good Ole Days (feat. Brad Arnold & Big & Rich)
840,168 3:11 2017-10-27
Saved
Saved
834,007 4:52 2004-04-20
Drinkin' 'Bout You
Drinkin' 'Bout You
831,484 2:53 2004-04-20
Never Mind Me
Never Mind Me
775,599 3:27 2005-11-15
Real World
Real World
759,336 5:05 2004-04-20
Caught up in the Moment
Caught up in the Moment
743,316 3:42 2005-11-15
Don't Wake Me Up
Don't Wake Me Up
703,728 3:22 2014-09-23
Turns Me On
Turns Me On
683,424 3:43 2017-09-15
Radio
Radio
646,067 4:51 2007-01-01
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
642,172 3:51 2007-01-01
That Kind of Town
That Kind of Town
610,994 3:46 2014-09-23
You Shook Me All Night Long
You Shook Me All Night Long
610,169 2:44 2007-01-01
I Came to Git Down
I Came to Git Down
583,908 3:55 2014-09-23
Party Like Cowboyz - Single Edit
Party Like Cowboyz - Single Edit
582,653 2:59 2014-11-10
Everybody's Rockin'
Everybody's Rockin'
553,732 3:19 2009-01-01
8th of November - Intro
8th of November - Intro
534,935 1:17 2005-11-15
Stay Home
Stay Home
504,395 2:41 2020-04-04
Rollin' Along
Rollin' Along
488,197 3:06 2014-09-23
Congratulations (You're a Rockstar)
Congratulations (You're a Rockstar)
483,488 3:21 2017-09-15
The Freak Parade
The Freak Parade
479,218 1:09 2005-11-15
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
473,840 3:43 2009-01-01
Nobody Told Me
Nobody Told Me
462,576 3:30 2007-06-11
I Pray for You
I Pray for You
427,563 3:58 2005-11-15
Our America (with Gretchen Wilson & Cowboy Troy)
Our America (with Gretchen Wilson & Cowboy Troy)
409,716 2:43 2005-11-15
Lose a Little Sleep
Lose a Little Sleep
404,902 3:49 2014-09-23
Thank God for Pain
Thank God for Pain
401,858 3:36 2014-09-23
'Cause I Play Guitar
'Cause I Play Guitar
389,764 3:33 2012-09-18
Wake up Wanting You
Wake up Wanting You
373,531 2:58 2017-09-15
Please Man (feat. Wyclef Jean)
Please Man (feat. Wyclef Jean)
370,397 2:54 2007-01-01
SF Anthem
SF Anthem
363,941 5:04 2008-09-09
The Man I Am Right Now
The Man I Am Right Now
346,216 3:26 2009-01-01
M-e-d-l-e-y of the Hillbilly Jedi
M-e-d-l-e-y of the Hillbilly Jedi
342,820 5:49 2012-09-18
Funk in the Country
Funk in the Country
334,644 3:34 2017-09-15
My Last Yeehaw (feat. Big & Rich)
My Last Yeehaw (feat. Big & Rich)
326,615 3:27 2005-05-17
Blow My Mind
Blow My Mind
324,943 3:35 2005-11-15
Faster Than Angels Fly
Faster Than Angels Fly
318,951 4:24 2007-01-01
Cheat on You
Cheat on You
313,991 3:14 2012-09-18
Lay It All on Me
Lay It All on Me
310,643 4:22 2012-09-18
We Came to Rawk
We Came to Rawk
304,810 2:40 2017-09-15
No Sleep
No Sleep
295,164 3:13 2017-09-15
Feliz Navidad - 50th Anniversary/FN50
Feliz Navidad - 50th Anniversary/FN50
266,536 5:00 2021-10-22
Call Me Country (feat. Big Rich & Kelly Ray)
Call Me Country (feat. Big Rich & Kelly Ray)
262,934 3:17 2020-07-24
20 Margaritas
20 Margaritas
256,473 2:48 2005-11-15
You Never Stop Loving Somebody
You Never Stop Loving Somebody
250,744 2:29 2007-01-01
Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S)
Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S)
249,864 4:22 2019-03-22
Leap of Faith
Leap of Faith
223,083 4:58 2005-11-15
Can't Be Satisfied
Can't Be Satisfied
219,934 4:08 2012-09-18
Eternity (feat. John Legend)
Eternity (feat. John Legend)
206,892 3:48 2007-01-01
I'm Only Here for the Beer
I'm Only Here for the Beer
206,339 3:20 2020-10-30
Party Like Cowboyz (feat. Big & Rich) - Electro Shine Remix
Party Like Cowboyz (feat. Big & Rich) - Electro Shine Remix
201,467 3:39 2017-01-20
Slow Motion
Slow Motion
199,500 3:26 2005-11-15
Freedom Road
Freedom Road
194,043 3:24 2017-09-15
Filthy Rich
Filthy Rich
191,184 3:10 2005-11-15
When the Devil Gets the Best of Me
When the Devil Gets the Best of Me
179,542 3:14 2007-01-01
The Long Way Home
The Long Way Home
173,102 3:37 2017-09-15
Last Words
Last Words
167,079 2:59 2012-09-18
Never Far Away
Never Far Away
162,001 4:21 2012-09-18
Woodstock
Woodstock
160,007 2:38 2019-08-23
Cougar Huntin' (feat. Big & Rich)
Cougar Huntin' (feat. Big & Rich)
143,133 2:44 2012-06-08
My Son
My Son
129,852 2:36 2017-09-15
High Five
High Five
126,096 3:31 2007-01-01
Lie, Cheat or Steal
Lie, Cheat or Steal
123,765 3:14 2017-09-15
Like a Virgin
Like a Virgin
107,691 3:54 2019-05-17
Lost in This Moment - Wedding Instrumental Version
Lost in This Moment - Wedding Instrumental Version
104,384 3:35 2007-09-25
Blue Christmas - Single Version
Blue Christmas - Single Version
98,933 2:57 2011-12-05
Find a Heart
Find a Heart
79,288 3:38 2020-04-03
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Live
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Live
73,676 3:54 2004-11-02
Drinkin' 'Bout You - Acoustic Version
Drinkin' 'Bout You - Acoustic Version
58,004 8:50 2004-11-02
Never Been Down
Never Been Down
45,813 3:24 2004-11-02
The Bob Song
The Bob Song
34,459 6:49 2004-11-02
Move Mean (feat. J-Diggs & Big Rich)
Move Mean (feat. J-Diggs & Big Rich)
31,923 3:21 2010-03-30
A Million
A Million
22,418 3:19 2009-02-03
Hi Ya
Hi Ya
19,875 2:55 2023-10-13
Standing on Business
Standing on Business
14,875 2:34 2023-12-01
Born Again (feat. Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, And Big & Rich)
Born Again (feat. Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, And Big & Rich)
13,434 4:37 2017-01-20
ghetto love (feat. Big Rich)
ghetto love (feat. Big Rich)
12,596 4:26 2007-07-07
SF Anthem
SF Anthem
12,487 4:48 2016-01-07
Lost in This Moment - Unplugged Version
Lost in This Moment - Unplugged Version
11,623 3:54 2007-09-25
Turns Me on (Spotify Commentary)
Turns Me on (Spotify Commentary)
10,670 1:03 2017-09-08
California (Spotify Commentary)
California (Spotify Commentary)
10,668 0:49 2017-09-08
That's Beef (feat. Big Rich)
That's Beef (feat. Big Rich)
10,544 3:40 2006-02-07
SF Anthem (Remix) (feat. Black C, Cellski & Willie Hen)
SF Anthem (Remix) (feat. Black C, Cellski & Willie Hen)
10,228 5:06 2008-09-09
Did It for the Party (Spotify Commentary)
Did It for the Party (Spotify Commentary)
9,256 0:54 2017-09-08
Smoke in Her Eyes (Spotify Commentary)
Smoke in Her Eyes (Spotify Commentary)
9,179 1:03 2017-09-08
Congratulations (You're a Rockstar) (Spotify Commentary)
Congratulations (You're a Rockstar) (Spotify Commentary)
8,909 0:53 2017-09-08
Wake up Wanting You (Spotify Commentary)
Wake up Wanting You (Spotify Commentary)
8,480 1:06 2017-09-08
My Son (Spotify Commentary)
My Son (Spotify Commentary)
8,346 1:09 2017-09-08
Holy Water - Unplugged Version
Holy Water - Unplugged Version
8,340 4:15 2007-09-25
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace - Unplugged Version
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace - Unplugged Version
8,196 3:45 2007-09-25
Disco Ball
Disco Ball
8,103 4:27 2007-06-05
No Sleep (Spotify Commentary)
No Sleep (Spotify Commentary)
7,752 1:02 2017-09-08
Lie, Cheat or Steal (Spotify Commentary)
Lie, Cheat or Steal (Spotify Commentary)
7,634 1:00 2017-09-08
Funk in the Country (Spotify Commentary)
Funk in the Country (Spotify Commentary)
7,574 0:60 2017-09-08
8th of November - Unplugged Version
8th of November - Unplugged Version
7,426 4:56 2007-09-25
Get It & Ball
Get It & Ball
7,399 3:58 2016-08-16
We Came to Rawk (Spotify Commentary)
We Came to Rawk (Spotify Commentary)
7,385 1:15 2017-09-08
The Long Way Home (Spotify Commentary)
The Long Way Home (Spotify Commentary)
7,206 1:08 2017-09-08
Hood Politics
Hood Politics
7,062 3:01 2023-03-28
Freedom Road (Spotify Commentary)
Freedom Road (Spotify Commentary)
6,939 1:46 2017-09-08
Paper
Paper
6,133 3:20 2022-05-05
God Bless America
God Bless America
5,108 1:13 2020-11-20
Battle Of The Bay
Battle Of The Bay
3,091 4:32 2022-06-10
Intro
Intro
2,153 1:06 2018-10-15
We Ride
We Ride
1,881 2:54 2008-09-09
7 AM
7 AM
1,851 2:34 2018-12-11
7 Am
7 Am
1,851 2:35 2020-03-22
Come Roll
Come Roll
1,732 3:32 2008-09-09
Gangsta Appeal (feat. Big Rich)
Gangsta Appeal (feat. Big Rich)
1,726 4:21 2004-12-14
Take the Golden Gate
Take the Golden Gate
1,637 4:21 2011-04-19
8th of November
8th of November
1,392 4:55 2020-11-20
Big & Rich Live Freddy Powers Birthday Tribute
Big & Rich Live Freddy Powers Birthday Tribute
1,049 1:56 2021-04-23
Intro
Intro
< 1000 0:11 2007-01-01
F U Pay Me
F U Pay Me
< 1000 4:00 2013-01-13
From Tha City - Remastered
From Tha City - Remastered
< 1000 4:22 2009-05-31
Stack It (feat. Big Rich & Netwerk)
Stack It (feat. Big Rich & Netwerk)
< 1000 4:55 2010-07-27
North East Section
North East Section
< 1000 4:04 2020-03-22
You Know The Deal
You Know The Deal
< 1000 4:46 2002-02-12
By Any Means
By Any Means
< 1000 3:34 2003-02-28
Getting Money All Day
Getting Money All Day
< 1000 3:29 2008-09-09
Crack Musik
Crack Musik
< 1000 4:05 2008-09-09
On My Mind
On My Mind
< 1000 3:47 2008-09-09
Heaven Knowz
Heaven Knowz
< 1000 3:27 2008-09-09
Get It Anyway We Can
Get It Anyway We Can
< 1000 4:00 2008-09-09
F U Pay Me
F U Pay Me
< 1000 4:00 2020-05-08
Purp & Syrup
Purp & Syrup
< 1000 3:34 2016-08-01
Fully Loaded
Fully Loaded
< 1000 3:32 2019-10-29
Introverted Alpha
Introverted Alpha
< 1000 3:08 2020-05-08
I Don't Think You Want It
I Don't Think You Want It
< 1000 3:50 2019-08-09
Panty Pie
Panty Pie
< 1000 5:00 2018-09-12
NeighborHood Crip Talkin' Part 3
NeighborHood Crip Talkin' Part 3
< 1000 8:49 2018-09-12
Too / Sincerely, William
Too / Sincerely, William
< 1000 3:47 2018-09-12
as is (came)
as is (came)
< 1000 1:32 2018-09-12
How We Living
How We Living
< 1000 3:52 2012-03-20
Hood Rich
Hood Rich
< 1000 3:35 2012-03-18
They Don't Really Want It!
They Don't Really Want It!
< 1000 3:48 2002-10-01
motherland
motherland
< 1000 1:54 2023-07-21
8th of November
8th of November
< 1000 6:09 2024-02-16
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)
< 1000 3:18 2024-02-09

New releases

Save a Horse: The Warner Singles Collection
Save a Horse: The Warner Singles Collection
2020-10-30
[Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group]
Stay Home
Stay Home
2020-04-04
[B$R Records]
Find a Heart
Find a Heart
2020-04-03
[Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group]
Woodstock
Woodstock
2019-08-23
[Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group]
Like a Virgin
Like a Virgin
2019-05-17
[Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group]
Did It for the Party
Did It for the Party
2017-09-15
[B$R Records]
Did It for the Party (Spotify Commentary)
Did It for the Party (Spotify Commentary)
2017-09-08
[B$R Records]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
2014-11-10
[Warner Records]
Gravity
Gravity
2014-09-23
[B$R Records]
Brand New Buzz
Brand New Buzz
2014-01-01
[B$R Records]
Hillbilly Jedi
Hillbilly Jedi
2012-09-18
[Warner Records]
Blue Christmas
Blue Christmas
2011-12-05
[Warner Records]
Fake ID (feat. Gretchen Wilson)
Fake ID (feat. Gretchen Wilson)
2011-05-17
[Warner Records]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
2009-09-25
[Warner Records/Nashville]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
2009-01-01
[Wrasse Records Ltd. (UK)]
Loud
Loud
2007-11-09
[Warner Records/Nashville]
Lost in This Moment (Wedding Instrumental Version)
Lost in This Moment (Wedding Instrumental Version)
2007-09-25
[Warner Records/Nashville]
Lost in This Moment (Wedding Instrumental Version)
Lost in This Moment (Wedding Instrumental Version)
2007-09-25
[Warner Records/Nashville]
Unplugged: At Studio 330
Unplugged: At Studio 330
2007-09-25
[Warner Records/Nashville]
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
2007-06-05
[Warner Records/Nashville]
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
2007-06-05
[Warner Records/Nashville]
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
2007-01-01
[Warner Records]
Comin' to Your City
Comin' to Your City
2005-11-15
[Warner Records]
Big & Rich's Super Galactic Fan Pak
Big & Rich's Super Galactic Fan Pak
2004-11-02
[Warner Records]
Horse of a Different Color
Horse of a Different Color
2004-04-20
[Warner Records/Nashville]