JOHN RICH - RICH GOES SOLO AS BANDMATE SEEKS THERAPY

RICH GOES SOLO AS BANDMATE SEEKS THERAPY

BIG + RICH star JOHN RICH is going solo after asking for his bandmate's blessing. The country star has planned to record a solo album for years, but wanted to make sure his dream was OK with sidekick Big Kenny Alphin. And when Alphin was forced to take some time off with injured neck, Rich decided the time was perfect for him to go it alone. He says, "If anyone knows me, they know I'm always writing music. When we decided to take a year off, so Kenny could focus on rehabilitation for a pre-existing injury, I asked Kenny if he was cool with me recording a solo project. "I would only do this with Kenny's blessing. So, this year you can expect a solo record from me, but Big + Rich will be back in 2009." Alphin has been told to take a lengthy break to fully recover from a car accident that led to the removal of a vertebrae from his spine.