Open Invitation to Big Kenny Alphin

Posted by Mary Mancini on October 28, 2007 under Uncategorized |

Last week John Rich, half of the country group Big & Rich, appeared for the first (but apparently not the last) time on Steve Gill’s radio show. As soon as I heard I remembered that the other half of the duo, Big Kenny Alphin, might not agree with his partner’s conservative politics because he had donated to the Harold Ford, Jr. for Senate campaign in ‘06.

Today’s Tennessean confirms that the two don’t agree politically. The paper’s above the fold cover story reports that Big Kenny also “gave $2,300 to Democrat Barack Obama this summer.” And in a companion piece in their online edition, Jennifer Brooks notes that:

Big Kenny Alphin waded into politics when he took an interest in the humanitarian crisis in Darfur — an interest he shares with Barack Obama. Alphin and his wife just returned from a trip to Sudan last week, delivering school and medical supplies and musical instruments to a school for girls orphaned in the conflict.

Hey Big Kenny, give us a call or shoot us an email. You have an open invitation to appear on Liberadio(!) just in case, you know, you want to get anything off your chest. And we’d love to hear about your trip to the Sudan and the other humanitarian work you and your wife are taking part in.

It would also be interesting to hear how these two partner together in all things business and creative while holding opposing political views. Touring in a band is not like any other job where you work 8 hours a day and go home to your family and the friends you choose to hang with. When you’re on tour you’re basically with the people you work with 24/7. Oh how the fur can fly!

PS: One more thing, as an Italian-American I can tell you, just so you know, there’s no such thing as the “Mafia.” Ciao, Ciao!

UPDATE: Apparently, Mr. Rich is also a big hypocrite. The “strong beliefs and core values” he has apply only to other people’s lifestyles and not his own. This man is not “conservative.” He’s a bigot. Which raises yet another question for Mr. Alphin to answer - just how much of your partner’s beliefs do you agree with?

UPDATE II: It’s too late to take back now. But he’s trying! John Rich of Big & Rich released a statement after Thursday’s column item stating his position against gay marriage: “My earlier comments on same-sex marriage don’t reflect my full views on the broader issues regarding tolerance and the treatment of gays and lesbians in our society. I apologize for that and wish to state clearly my views. I oppose same-sex marriage because my father and minister brought me up to believe that marriage is an institution for the union of a man and a woman. However, I also believe that intolerance, bigotry and hatred are wrong. People should be judged based on their merits, not on their sexual orientation. We are all children of God and should be valued and respected.”

Anonymous said,

Good job, Big Kenny, I’m so glad you don’t support a warmonger, John McCain.
Theresa Mancuso said,

Where is big Kenny!!!!!! Are they broke up. BIG FAN Was at the CMA FEST and no one would say anything about BIG KENNY.

YOU are so MISSED

PLease let me know
Bobby Mechling said,

WOW, I have never read so much bull in my life! I LOVE Big and Rich more than any of you. I understand that you are liberal, but myself I am a conservative I voted for McCain. You may ask how a young conservative stumbled upon this and I was looking up Big Kenny on Google and found this. But anyway even if I was a Liberal Democrat I wouldn’t call John Rich a bigot!
A bigot according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is, a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
John Rich is not a bigot lets mention the 6′5 Black Rapping Cowboy that John has produced both of his records. Gay people are NOT a race or ethnic. I really don’t care if you are gay or not.

I would think that if you thought you were a pro. At radio you would have a little more professionalism that what you have.

Yours truly
Bobby

P.S.
Big and Rich are not broke up, they have taken a break and are back in June of 2009. And you all might be crazy Liberal Democrats; I still love you because we should LOVE EVERYBODY!
marjorie [buster] erwin said,

i know both john and kenny they are great people. if
you don’t personally know someone i thing you should not judge them.
MS said,

RE: Bobby Mechling’s post
FYI the gay and lesbian community can and are defined as an ethnic group. An ethnic group is a group of human beings whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage that is real or presumed. Ethnic identity is further marked by the recognition from others of a group’s distinctiveness and the recognition of common cultural, linguistic, religious, behavioral or biological traits, real or presumed, as indicators of contrast to other groups. So by your own definition, John Rich is a bigot because he holds a prejudice against a an ethnic group, in this case gays. And how hypocritical, considering the Muzik Mafia’s motto is “Music without prejudice.”
And Marjorie, if a public figure goes on radio or tv and espouses an opinion on something, we the public have every right to judge them based on their statements.
Karen said,

Just went to the Big and Rich show on Thursday night in California, and to say it was awesome is an understatement! They kicked ass! What do entertainers have to do with politics and gay rights?! They need to stick to entertaining us and we need to give it a rest. QUIT the agenda, love one another, and not mix everything up so much. Everyone can have an opinion, and who is to say who is wrong or right. Each man/woman to him/herself. Lets let God be the judge, not us…….ROCK ON!