John Rich's career honored by state Musical Pathway Marker in Dickson

Chris Gadd, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
City of Dickson Mayor Don Weiss Jr. speaks at the unveiling of the “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker for Dickson County High School graduate John Rich on Tuesday, March 7 at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum in Dickson.
City of Dickson Mayor Don Weiss Jr. speaks at the unveiling of the “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker for Dickson County High School graduate John Rich on Tuesday, March 7 at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum in Dickson.

A few yards from the stage where John Rich’s music first played on the radio, the country music star Tuesday unveiled a marker honoring his lone memorable year in Dickson.

Rich, who grew up in Texas but has generations of family from Dickson, graduated from Dickson County High School in 1992. He was honored at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum in Downtown Dickson.

"I owe this town a lot. I owe my friends a lot in this town,” said Rich, looking at longtime friend state Rep. Jody Barrett in the audience. “Thank you guys very much for the honor."

The Tennessee Music Pathways marker is the third to be located in Dickson. The program is part of the state’s tourism department to help visitors connect to Tennessee’s musical heritage.

Dickson County High School graduate John Rich was honored by the State of Tennessee with the installation of a “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker on Tuesday, March 7 at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum in Dickson.
Dickson County High School graduate John Rich was honored by the State of Tennessee with the installation of a “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker on Tuesday, March 7 at the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum in Dickson.

Grand Old Hatchery

Rich, the successful songwriter and member of trend-setting duo Big & Rich, recalled traveling from Texas to visit his grandparents in Dickson every summer. He was reminded of the memory after glimpsing the Grand Old Hatchery in Downtown Dickson on Tuesday.

"I haven't seen (the Hatchery) since I was 16 years old,” Rich said.

His grandparents suggested Rich, who even as a teen always had his guitar, audition for the Grand Old Hatchery, which broadcast shows on the radio.

"That was the first time I was ever heard on a radio station,” Rich said. "It was such a rush to be on stage with real musicians and know it's being broadcast to people who I will never meet. That was my first real taste of what it must feel like to be an artist."

Rich has multiple hit songs, won “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2011, raised $1.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and created the Redneck Riviera brand in 2014.

Other Music Pathways markers just outside the Dickson museum, next to Holland Park, are for Craig Morgan and Francis Craig. The museum is located at 100 Frank Clement Pl in Downtown Dickson.

More:John Rich performs at Creek Wood High School

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: John Rich's career honored by state Musical Pathway Marker in Dickson