Tomorrow night, country music duo Big & Rich sit down with Dan Rather for an episode of his AXS-TV series The Big Interview. In this exclusive clip, the duo talk about their recent successful decision to start their own label, Big & Rich Records.
According to the duo’s John Rich, the road to their own company began when they finished Gravity — their latest album. Originally recorded for Warner Brothers, things quickly hit a bump in the road.
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“They didn’t know we were recording it, so it was a surprise to them,” said Rich. “Big Kenny and I are the record producers, so we didn’t have to call and line things up. He’s got a studio in his house, so it’s not like you have to get budgets approved.” The response from the label caught the duo off guard. “Warner Brothers said ‘That’s nice, but it’s going to be a year before we were can put it out because we’ve got the entire year planned.”
“Big Kenny” Alphin understood the label’s quandary – to a point. “It does make it a little hard on a label. They’ve got to line up and time things out…but if you’re a creator…to have to sit on it when you want to get it out to your fans…We’re anxious.”
From that point, the duo left Warner Brothers and started their own label. And, the results have been impressive, with back-to-back top-10 hits at radio with “Look At You” and “Run Away With You” — the first time they have achieved that feat in their history.
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“It’s weird. We’d have a big hit, and the next one wouldn’t be,” said Rich. “It’s been a back and forth thing, but with Gravity, this is the first time we’re stringing together hit after hit.”
The Big Interview airs Tuesday night at 8pm EST on AXS-TV. Future guests on the program includes Sammy Hagar on Feb. 23, and Phil Collins on March 1.