Multi-platinum country superstar John Rich could be described as a force of nature. As one half of the country duo Big & Rich, he’s arguably the hardest working man in country music. Depending on the day, Rich takes on the role of songwriter, producer and, of course, first-rate entertainer. He’s a frequent guest on various FOX programs and, as audiences worldwide saw on The Apprentice with President Trump, he is also an incredibly intelligent businessman. He launched a live music venue/bar/restaurant called Redneck Riviera in the heart of downtown Nashville and has an entire line of branded products, including his own whiskey. But perhaps the most admirable thing about the man is his fierce patriotism and unwavering dedication to our nation’s veterans. In almost everything he does, Rich finds a way to honor and assist the 1% who have sacrificed so much for the rest of us. NRA Country’s Lisa Supernaugh recently asked John Rich a few questions to get a better glimpse inside this force of nature.
LS: Who taught you how to shoot?
JR: I had great teachers! My dad taught me how to shoot when I was 5 years old on an old Ruger .22. His dad, my Papaw Rich, was a World War II veteran and he also weighed in on my shooting and taught me some of the things that he learned when he fought in the Pacific.
LS: What are some of your best outdoors memories?
JR: My dad always made sure I was outside working, playing or observing the great outdoors. That was important in our family. The first time I shot a rifle, my dad had me sit on the ground and prop the gun up on my knee. But what he failed to realize was that he sat me right down on top of an ant bed! After the second shot, I felt those ants crawling up my legs and jumped up! Even though I was startled, I managed to still put the safety back on before laying down the rifle. Dad was so proud!
LS: Do you have a favorite personal firearm?
JR: My favorite carry at the moment is a Glock 43X 9 mm. Shield Arms makes a higher-capacity magazine for this firearm, so you can have a 16-round capacity in a very small frame. It’s a great little sidearm to have. My favorite rifle is the Barrett REC7.
LS: Tell us what you’re currently working on and excited about.
JR: My brand Redneck Riviera Whiskey can be found in over 11,000 stores across America … and counting. I give 10% of the profits from sales to Folds of Honor, which is a non-profit organization that puts kids who have lost a parent in combat through college. To date, Redneck Riviera has funded over 200 college grants. You can find a store near you at redneckriviera.com/whiskey.
Be sure to follow John Rich on all social media platforms and stay up to date on news and tour dates by visiting bigandrich.com.
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