Nov21
Big & Rich Shed Fur Following CMA Awards
Posted at 03:41 PM | Permalink
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Comments (22)
John Rich of the country superstar duo Big & Rich upset a lot of fans by wearing a big ol’ fur coat onstage at the Country Music Association Awards, telecast on ABC earlier this month. After hearing from a number of those fans ourselves, we wrote to Rich to explain how dozens of foxes are anally electrocuted for such a coat and sent along a link to Pamela Anderson’s video short on the subject. Well, it turns out Rich is, in fact, a big man, replying to us himself:
"My management wanted to respond to your email, but I opted to respond personally, as I am a rather direct kind of man. I would like you to please forward my apologies to any of your members that are fans of Big and Rich that took offense to me wearing a fur coat on the CMA awards. Trust me, it was never my intent to upset anyone. Also, if any of the world class designers that you mentioned in your previous email would like to send me full length faux fur coats, I would be happy to wear them, and when asked by the press or fans, tell them it is a faux fur. I do not agree with many of your organization’s views or tactics, but I do respect your passion for animal rights, as I am an animal lover as well. I appreciate your willingness to address me on this subject."
One of the duo’s biggest hits is “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy,” but judging from Mr. Rich’s straightforward letter to PETA, he’s willing to save a few foxes, minks and rabbits too. Thanks, John, for your compassion—you guys have a lot of fans here—especially Kim in Human Resources!
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Comments
I THINK HE DIDN'T KNOW ALL THE BAD THING BEFORE HE WEARS THE FUR COAT, NOW HE AGREE THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO WEAR FUR, IT IS SO GOOD!
Posted by: liliana | November 21, 2007 04:22 PM
PR stunt letter.Now who will be the first fool to send him a free coat.
Posted by: Mars | November 21, 2007 04:56 PM
Good for you John!!! Thanks for being compassionate and understanding...you rock!! Erin~
Posted by: erin | November 21, 2007 05:36 PM
hey, like me! (only a bit touchy on a/r)
Posted by: Anonymous | November 21, 2007 08:45 PM
I've been a JR fan since well before he and Big Kenny met. I was heartbroken when I saw that coat and made it known. I appreciate John's response, except I feel a bit confused. Is he saying that a "real" fur manufacturer sent him the coat he had on for free, and should that make me feel better? And when he states, "Also, if any of the world class designers that you mentioned in your previous email would like to send me full length faux fur coats, I would be happy to wear them, and when asked by the press or fans, tell them it is a faux fur," mean that they send him something for free, he wears it no matter what it is? For a man with millions $$$$$ why is that an issue?
A very sad Fan
Posted by: Norma Jean Fullmer | November 21, 2007 10:25 PM
I am sure that if you offered him the hide of a gay or lesbian person he would be willing to wear that instead. This is the same great guy that compared gay marriage to an incestuous marriage between and aunt and nephew. He is only willing to wear faux fur if it is free?
Posted by: Kelli | November 22, 2007 10:12 AM
And never do that again!! You looked so out dated!
Posted by: Carla | November 22, 2007 10:47 AM
what is currently on with latest Japanes HWale Hun and why can' t they be stopped?
Posted by: linda R. Norris | November 22, 2007 05:41 PM
what is currently going on with latest Japanese Whale/Dolphin Hunts and why can' t they be stopped?
This barabaric treatment of animla in the midst of a "global Economy" is wasteful, shameful and atrociouslly horrific, please do something..........shame on Japan and its people!
Posted by: linda R. Norris | November 22, 2007 05:43 PM
I read your blog everyday Jack and have to say I almost always agree with your comments, but I think you missed the boat on this one. In reading John Rich's statement, he does not say he will stop wearing fur, only that he will wear faux fur if provided to him. Although I do commend him for responding personally instead of through his management, I would like to see a bigger statement from him regarding the fur industry before PETA sings his praises.
Posted by: pawsgal | November 22, 2007 09:41 PM
i dont understand these people think they look good in fur look at him piss me off
Posted by: Tracy | November 23, 2007 08:18 AM
I am confused John Rich. If you are a animal lover as you say, then I don't know why you would object to people who find the only way that has been effective to expose horrific treatment of fox and dogs and other fur animals in order to get the attention of people who would otherwise not have even noticed if conventional methods were used. Please watch the undercover video by PETA of a fox being skinned alive. I am confident that you will change you opinion. Sincerely, Janet Nilsen
Posted by: Janet Nilsen | November 23, 2007 02:45 PM
Good job, John. Thanks very much.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | November 26, 2007 08:21 PM
I'm glad that he apologized and realized that fur is wrong, but the thing that made me mad was the fact that he said if designers send him the faux fur coats he'll wear them. To me he's not sorry, nor does he care about this issue because the only way he'll wear faux fur is if it's sent to him. your made of millions go buy the coats yourself and change your wardrobe, dont rely on someone else to do that for you.
Posted by: Mary | November 27, 2007 01:24 PM
Why does it take pointing out he is a jerk to get him to stop wearing fur? I f he really cared he would not have worn it in the first place. He is just worried about his self image and how it might damage sales!!!
Angry barbara
Posted by: Anonymous | November 29, 2007 07:15 PM
barbara,
he didn't say he wasn't going to relinquish fur, but would wear faux fur if provided free. Priceless.
Posted by: rojo | December 1, 2007 09:50 AM
"Please watch the undercover video by PETA of a fox being skinned alive."
I've heard that those 'undercover videos' are actually members of PETA doing mean things to animals; that if PETA can't obtain footage of what they're trying to prove then they'll do said terrible act (skin a fox alive, break a dog's leg). I find THAT disturbing.
Posted by: L | December 4, 2007 08:56 PM
JOHN RICH IS A LIAR!!
Watch any episode of his new show "Gone Country" on CMT and you will see him wearing full-length fur coats, so far I've counted three different ones. I'm done with Big & Rich, John Rich especially. He's a liar, a phony and he can't keep his word!
Posted by: animal-fan | February 27, 2008 03:12 PM
John is not a bad guy at all. Seriously, don't hate him and get pissed at him for wearing fur. I'm sure he didn't just put on a fur coat and say hey lets piss all these people off.
Posted by: tayla | February 27, 2008 10:43 PM
I don't think anybody wears fur to piss someone off. I have seen some of the Gone Country shows & he seemed like a nice man & then he walks up in those floor lenght furs looking silly. And I can't get over the line in his email about FREE faux fur. How sad.
Posted by: amy | March 1, 2008 03:14 PM
I believe John is smarter than a lot of people give him credit for. I think the reason he said if the world class designers would send him faux fur coats, he would wear them, is because if they really believe in stopping animal abuse and don't want him to wear real fur, they will send him some faux ones to back up THEIR claims. (although to have a big star like John Rich wearing your lable is kind of like free advertising...) Yes, if he has enough money to buy a REAL fur coat, among other things, then he has enough money to buy his own FAUX fur coats. But I'm curious...has anyone heard of one of those big manufacturers sending Mr. Rich a coat?
Posted by: Amanda MAxwell | July 17, 2008 07:52 PM
He was wearing it tonight when he came on stage at Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH. I was so disgusted I left...after returning my Big & Rich T-shirt for a refund (purchased about 1/2 hour prior to the start of B&R's set).
I won't buy another ticket or another CD.
Big & Rich, you guys have lost a huge fan :^(
Posted by: Karen C | August 31, 2009 01:44 AM