PASADENA, Calif. — John Rich, half of the country-music sensation Big & Rich, achieved stardom the old-fashioned way: He earned it. The Texas native, with pal Kenny Alphin, spent years playing jam sessions at Nashville bars and at fairs across the country before they landed a record deal.
He didn't have a show like NBC's "Nashville Star" to give his career an instant boost. In five previous seasons on the USA Network, the "American Idol"-style competition show for country singers has launched the careers of Buddy Jewel, Miranda Lambert and Chris Young.
The show moves to NBC for its sixth season starting tonight. Contestants will be eliminated weekly until a winner is named. The prize is a recording contract and a chance to perform at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
Country music doesn't come and go in a flash, says Rich, 34, one of the show's judges. He predicts the winner of this round of competition will have a career that lasts for decades.
"It's not over when you hit 30 years old in country music. You're just getting started."
Singer Jewel and songwriter Jeffrey Steele join Rich as judges, with Billy Ray Cyrus as host.
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