John Rich Explores Faith, Freedom & Country Music | 7.13.24
John Rich, one-half of the country music duo Big & Rich, has released "Revelation," a faith-focused song delving into biblical prophecies and the battle between good and evil. In this podcast episode, Rich discusses the song's dramatic music video depicting spiritual warfare, as well as his divine inspiration to create it as a counternarrative in pop culture.
The episode also explores Rich's views on the changing landscape of country music, where many conservative artists feel constrained in expressing traditional values. Rich shares his joy in creative independence as an entrepreneur, detailing efforts like Old Glory Bank—which protects constitutional rights—and Flagstock, a concert celebrating American principles. Through these endeavors, Rich aims to reinforce traditional foundations while spreading uplifting messages.
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John Rich's "Revelation" song and video
John Rich of the country music duo Big & Rich has released "Revelation," a faith-focused song exploring biblical prophecies about the end times and the battle between good and evil. According to Rich, the song draws from passages in Revelation and other books describing events like the "mark of the beast" and Jesus' return.
The "Revelation" video portrays spiritual warfare
Featuring dramatic visual effects, the music video depicts Rich positioned between the devil arriving on a black horse and the holy warrior archangel Michael, representing the fight for humanity's soul. The significant visuals aim to immerse viewers in the prophetic battle described in the lyrics.
Motivated by divine inspiration, not commercial success
Rich states he felt compelled by divine inspiration to create "Revelation" and spread its spiritual message countering the growth of "blasphemy" and darkness in popular culture. His goal is not commercial success, but offering a counternarrative to the malign entertainment influences affecting youth.
The changing landscape of country music
Many country artists with conservative values feel constrained in expressing traditional views amidst the genre's shifting direction and controversial content championed at award shows and by mainstream acts.
Rich's joy in creative independence
As an independent artist, Rich is grateful for the freedom to produce faith-based content like "Revelation" without major label constraints. He speculates a song of this nature would likely be rejected by industry conglomerates aiming to homogenize country music similarly to Hollywood.
Rich's entrepreneurial efforts combating concerning trends
In response to issues like the "de-banking" of Canadian truckers' accounts for political protests, Rich co-founded Old Glory Bank to protect customers' constitutional rights against such practices.
Flagstock celebrates American values
Inspired by viral images of students defending the American flag, Rich organized Flagstock, a free Labor Day concert featuring country stars performing to honor patriotism and constitutional freedoms. These endeavors reflect Rich's aim to use his entrepreneurial platform to reinforce traditional American principles.
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Counterarguments
- The interpretation of biblical prophecies is highly subjective and can vary widely among different religious and cultural groups.
- The use of dramatic visual effects in music videos can sometimes overshadow the message of the song and may not appeal to all viewers.
- While Rich may not be motivated by commercial success, the production and promotion of a song and video inevitably involve commercial aspects that can influence creative decisions.
- The assertion that there is a growth of "blasphemy" and darkness in popular culture is a subjective viewpoint that may not be shared by all, as definitions of blasphemy and moral standards vary.
- The feeling of constraint among country artists with conservative values could be seen as a reflection of a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity and diversity, rather than a limitation on free expression.
- While Rich values creative independence, major labels often provide resources and platforms that can help artists reach wider audiences, which some may view as a beneficial trade-off.
- The founding of Old Glory Bank as a response to "de-banking" could be criticized for potentially politicizing financial services, which some may argue should remain neutral.
- Flagstock's celebration of American values and constitutional freedoms, while positive, may not resonate with all audiences, especially those who feel that their values or freedoms have been historically overlooked or undermined by mainstream patriotic narratives.
Actionables
- You can explore your own creative expression by writing a song or poem that reflects your personal beliefs or values. Start by jotting down ideas that resonate with you, whether they're spiritual, patriotic, or related to personal freedoms. Then, try to weave these ideas into lyrics or stanzas, using your favorite music or poetry as a guide for structure and flow.
- Create a personal visual art piece that represents your interpretation of a battle between good and evil. Use any materials you have at hand, such as pencils, paints, or digital art apps, to depict how you perceive this struggle. This could be an abstract representation of emotions or a more literal scene that captures your imagination.
- Reflect on the values you hold dear and consider writing a personal manifesto that outlines these beliefs. This could be a simple document where you list the principles that guide your life, such as freedom, faith, or family. Keep this manifesto in a place where you can see it daily to remind yourself of the values you want to live by.
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John Rich's new faith-focused music project and its themes
John Rich, known for his work in the country music duo Big & Rich, takes a spiritual turn with his faith-focused music project, exploring biblically prophesied end times and the stark clash between good and evil.
John Rich's song "Revelation" explores biblical prophecies about the end times and the spiritual battle between good and evil
John Rich's newest song "Revelation" dives into the themes of apocalypse and spiritual warfare, drawing heavily from the Book of Revelation and other biblical texts.
The song focuses on the Book of Revelation and other biblical passages that describe prophesied events, such as the "mark of the beast" and the return of Jesus
Rich brings to light prophecies related to the end times and the return of Jesus, using references from the Bible's books of Daniel, 2 Thessalonians, Matthew, and Revelation. He views current technological advances as making once implausible events like the 'mark of the beast' a reality, with the ability to track individuals' spending habits.
The video for "Revelation" features dramatic visual effects to portray the spiritual warfare described in the lyrics, with the goal of impacting viewers and raising awareness of these biblical teachings
In the music video for "Revelation," Rich is depicted in a spiritual battleground environment. Set in front of a country church, he is positioned between representations of the devil and Michael the Archangel. The devil makes a fiery entrance on a black horse from the woods, while the Archangel enters with radiant light and a sword, symbolizing the eternal fight for humanity's soul. The significant use of special effects and CGI in the video aims to convey the gravity of the spiritual battle and mimic the immersion of a movie experience.
Rich felt compelled to create "Revelation" through a divine inspiration, aiming to combat the increasing "blasphemy" and evil influences in popular culture
Inspired by what he perceives as divi ...
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John Rich's new faith-focused music project and its themes
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Counterarguments
- The interpretation of biblical prophecies is highly subjective and can vary widely among different religious scholars and denominations.
- The concept of the "mark of the beast" and its association with modern technology is a contentious interpretation that not all theologians or biblical scholars agree with.
- Using dramatic visual effects in a music video to portray spiritual warfare could be seen as trivializing or sensationalizing what many believe to be a deeply personal and internal spiritual struggle.
- While Rich's intentions may not be commercial, the success of a music project in spreading its message can still be influenced by its commercial reach and acceptance.
- The claim of divine inspiration is a personal belief and cannot be objectively evaluated, which means that others may not attribute the same source to his creative process.
- The idea that popular cultu ...
Actionables
- You can explore the themes of good versus evil through creative writing by starting a journal where you reflect on these concepts in your daily life. Write about situations where you've witnessed acts of kindness or malice and how they affected you or others around you. This practice can help you identify and understand the presence of these themes in the world around you.
- Create a personal playlist of music that touches on spiritual themes that resonate with you, similar to how "Recovery" focuses on biblical end times. This can be a mix of genres and need not be limited to religious music. The act of curating and listening to this playlist can serve as a meditative exercise to contemplate your own beliefs and the spiritual messages that are meaningful to you.
- Engage with the stories of the Bible through mode ...
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The changing landscape of the country music industry
The country music industry is experiencing significant changes, with a shift from its traditionally conservative roots. Award shows and mainstream artists have been introducing content that may not sit well with all of the genre's fans.
Artists feeling constrained
Many artists within country music who hold conservative or traditional values feel hemmed in by the industry's current direction. These artists often find themselves struggling to express their views or create content in line with their beliefs due to the pressure to conform to a broader, more controversial content strategy.
Rich's joy in independence
Rich, a country musician, has expressed his gratitude for his status as an independent artist. This independence affords him the creative liberty to produce content such as "Revelation," which he believes would be likely rejected or suppressed by major record labels due to its nature.
Homogenization by major labels
The country music industry, particularly the "big three" record labels, is perceived to be undergoing a homogenization process similar to Hollywood. Owned by the same conglomerates that dominate the film industry, these labels exert significant control over th ...
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The changing landscape of the country music industry
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Clarifications
- Conservative or traditional artists in the country music industry often face constraints related to expressing their values and beliefs in their music due to the industry's evolving direction towards more controversial content. These artists may feel pressured to conform to a broader, potentially polarizing content strategy that may not align with their personal views. This pressure can limit their creative freedom and make it challenging for them to produce music that stays true to their conservative or traditional roots. The changing landscape of the industry can create a sense of conflict for these artists as they navigate the balance between artistic expression and industry expectations.
- Rich's song "Revelation" is likely to be rejected by major record labels due to its controversial nature and content that may not align with the mainstream values promoted by these labels. The song may touch on themes or messages that go against the industry's current trends or could be seen as too provocative or divisive for a wider audience. Rich's decision to remain an independent artist allows him the freedom to create and release music that may not fit within the constraints imposed by major record labels. This independence enables him to explore themes and messages that might not be commerciall ...
Counterarguments
- The changes in the country music industry may reflect a natural evolution of the genre and an attempt to stay relevant in a diverse and changing cultural landscape.
- Award shows and mainstream artists introducing controversial content could be seen as a reflection of the broader societal conversations and may attract a new audience to country music.
- While some conservative artists may feel constrained, this could encourage them to innovate within their niche or explore new ways to connect with audiences who share their values.
- The value of creative freedom for independent artists like Rich is subjective, and some artists might find that the structure and resources of a major label enhance their ability to create and distribute their music.
- The perceived homogenization by major labels might be a response to market demands, aiming to produce content that appeals to the widest possible audience for commercial success.
- Criticism of country music award shows for presenting offensive material is subjective, and what is offensive to some may be seen as progressive ...
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John Rich's entrepreneurial efforts to address cultural and industry trends
In response to recent cultural and industry trends that impact constitutional rights and American values, country music star John Rich has embarked on entrepreneurial ventures, including the establishment of a new bank and the organization of a patriotic event.
Rich co-founded Old Glory Bank, a financial institution aimed at protecting customers' constitutional public awareness
John Rich, together with figures like Dr. Ben Carson and Larry Elder, co-founded Old Glory Bank. This financial institution is focused on ensuring that customers’ constitutional rights are safeguarded against the "de-banking" trend, which involves institutions freezing accounts for political reasons.
The de-banking trend, exemplified by the Canadian government's actions against protesting truckers, is a growing concern that Rich and his partners seek to address through Old Glory Bank
The inspiration behind Old Glory Bank’s establishment was partially the result of actions taken by the Canadian government under Justin Trudeau, which included freezing truckers' bank accounts during protests—a move that highlighted the global concern of financial entities exerting power over individuals for political means.
Flagstock, an upcoming patriotic event organized by Rich, will feature a free concert by Rich and other country artists to celebrate and defend American values
Following the viral image of University of North Carolina students defending an American flag against protesters, John Rich was profoundly moved. This spurred him to offer his support and platform, ultimately culminating in the conception of Flagstock.
The event was inspired by the viral ima ...
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John Rich's entrepreneurial efforts to address cultural and industry trends
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The "de-banking" trend involves financial institutions freezing or closing accounts based on political reasons, often impacting individuals or organizations whose views are deemed controversial or against mainstream norms. This trend has gained attention due to instances like the Canadian government freezing bank accounts of protesting truckers, sparking concerns about the power of financial entities in influencing political discourse and individual freedoms. John Rich and his partners established Old Glory Bank to counteract this trend and protect customers' constitutional rights from such arbitrary financial actions.
- Labor Day, observed on the first Monday of September in the United States, is a federal holiday dedicated to honoring and recognizing the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the country. It symbolizes the social and economic achievements of American workers and serves as a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of t ...
Counterarguments
- The concept of a bank like Old Glory Bank may raise concerns about the potential for financial institutions to cater to specific political ideologies, which could lead to further polarization in society.
- The idea of "de-banking" as a political tool is controversial, and some may argue that financial institutions have the right to refuse service based on their terms and conditions, which may not necessarily be politically motivated.
- While Flagstock is intended to celebrate American values, some might view it as potentially excluding those who hold different perspectives on patriotism or those who may not align with the event's representation of American values.
- The association of patriotism with a specific genre of music or event could be seen as limiting the expression of patriotism to a certain demographic or cultural group.
- The effectiveness of entrepreneurial ventures in addressing complex societal and political issues can be questioned, as these problems often require nuanced approaches that go beyond the scope of individual initiatives.
- ...
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