The Big and Rich party, led by John Rich and Big Kenny, rolled into Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Ct on August 16, 2024 for another epic night of country music.  As you walked into the Grand Theatre, the energy was already buzzing. On stage was the back drop for the Big and Rich “Celebration Tour” featuring the “Redneck Woman” herself Gretchen Wilson, and the always present “Redneck Rivera Whiskey Heroes Bar.” 

It was a packed house as the lights went down and the BnR resident DJ and Hype Man DJ Sinister walked on stage and started doing his thing, from playing his mixes to grabbing his electric guitar and playing riffs pumping up the crowd. Fans were on their feet knowing that the country music powerhouse duo were about to take the stage. As the room goes dark again you hear Big Kenny going into the intro of Rollin’ The Ballad of Big and Rich. “Brothers and Sisters…..” and the crowd goes crazy as the band kicks in.  If you thought the crowd couldn’t get louder, Cowboy Troy joins the stage, known for his “Hick Hop” and also does his song “I play Chicken With the Train” to add the fun. 

Big and Rich are known for the love of the USA Military. They have the Redneck Rivera Whiskey “Heroes’ Bar” where they bring a Military Vet on stage, reads a list of what tours, medals, what branch of military they were in, gives then the mic to let them speak, and have a shot of Whiskey. Then they play their song “The 8th of November” which is about  Niles Harris, a soldier of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the US Army during the Vietnam War. This has been done at every show for the past 1,000 shows. It is truly one of the most memorable part of the show.

Making her return to the stage, the one and only Gretchen Wilson joins the stage and sings her hits “Here for the Party” and “Redneck Woman.” She remains on the stage, along with Cowboy Troy, for the rest of the night and they wind the show down with a couple medleys of country and rock, ending with their smash hit “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy.”

And lastly, the band; they were on fire! Drummer Shane Williams was bashing the kit all night. He’s one of the best drummers I’ve seen. After 20+ years together, bassist Jeff Lockerman and guitarist Carl Lindquist still prove that there ain’t no party like a Big and Rich party! 

Pix and review by I’m Music Magazine Contributing Photographer Matthew Allen Photography