Introduction:
John Rich and Travis Tritt Urge Country Artists to Speak Their Minds Politically
Country singer John Rich has been vocal this week after news broke that Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” at the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Underwood, who rarely comments on politics, drew both praise and criticism for accepting the invitation. Some fans threatened to boycott American Idol, where she serves as a judge, while others applauded her decision to stay true to her own choices.
Rich—half of the duo Big & Rich and an openly conservative voice in country music—used social media to encourage other performers to be equally forthright. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote that several “top tier country artists” privately support Trump but “don’t have the guts to come forward,” adding that “Carrie Underwood is making you look like a bunch of sissy boys.”
The singer later posted a video doubling down on his comments, noting that even artists whose politics differ from his—such as Garth Brooks, who sang at President Biden’s inauguration, and Brad Paisley, who appeared with First Lady Jill Biden at a vaccine-promotion event—deserve credit for being open about their beliefs.
Veteran country star Travis Tritt echoed Rich’s sentiment, saying, “If you are a Trump supporter in our industry, you have nothing to fear but fear itself. Don’t be afraid to speak up for what you believe in.”
Meanwhile, it was announced that Parker McCollum and Rascal Flatts will perform at Trump’s inaugural ball, joining Underwood among the few country acts publicly participating in the festivities.
Rich and Tritt argue that artists shouldn’t worry about backlash from record labels or fans if they’re selling music successfully. Whether more country performers will step forward remains to be seen, but the debate highlights an ongoing conversation about politics and openness in Nashville’s music scene.