Country Mike Blog

Uncalled for

Mike Sudhalter  |  June 30, 2008

The old saying goes, 'Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Apparently, Nashville Star judge John Rich never got that memo.

He verbally undressed contestant Coffey for not being country enough, saying that a cowboy hat doesn't make you country. He then told the Texan that there's a show for aspiring pop stars, and it's called American Idol.

Interesting, since Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and other American Idol alumni now populate the Country Top 40.

Look, I'm not saying Coffey (pronounced Cof-fay) is George Jones by any stretch of the imagination. But country's boundaries have expanded, and Rich, one half of the duo Big & Rich, built a career completely based on that premise.

John Rich criticizing others for not being country enough? It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

I can almost attribute it to two things - Rich's big ego and the Simon-ization of shows like Nashville Star where saying disparaging things is in style. Simply issuing criticism of a performance isn't enough - judges need to totally berate contestants.

Kudos to Coffey for answering Rich, and telling viewers about his country credentials, growing up in a town of 1,100. It's about time someone stood up to this hypocrite who played second fiddle to Richie McDonald in Lonestar.