Country in the City: Behind the Scenes With Big & Rich and Mickie James

by | Jul 11, 2019 | MUSIC

From the midwest to Virginia, and from its rural heritage to modern city fads, country music has its place in the heart of American culture old and new. In the spirit of that tradition, Richmonders came together this week for the All Star Country Music Jam — part of the Eastern League’s first All-Star Week in the River City since 1992.

Legendary country superstars Big & Rich, who released the iconic “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” in 2004, headlined the show at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! with support from Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister, as well as a shimmering opening performance by WWE wrestler and country singer Mickie James.  

RVA Magazine was on the scene, backstage with Big & Rich and Mickie James through the evening, along with Dakota Hood, the singer and actress well-known from her role in The Hunger Games in 2012. Hood joined the artists as part of the All Star Week, partnered with Richmond Raceway and The Flying Squirrels, to sing the National Anthem at Tuesday night’s Squirrels game. 

Check out our images from the evening, by Branden Wilson, below for a glimpse behind the scenes and live with a group of beloved country artists at the show. 

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Caley Sturgill

Caley Sturgill

Caley Sturgill is the Director of Media at RVA Magazine. Email her at caley@rvamag.com for inquiries and RVA On Tap releases.




more in music

It’s Still Our City Ep. 27 | PRISONER

RVA Mag and NODDERLY presents It’s Still Our City, a podcast hosted by Harrison Christy and with Clair Morgan as co-host and producer through NODDERLY. "Formed sometime in 2012, PRISONER started out as a four-piece. Their earliest songs were mostly punk/hardcore mixed...

RVA Live Music! Alice Cooper, Miramar & Halloween Shows!

Halloween time, babe. Going to try to cram as much as I can into this column, because I know we are all trying to cram as much as we can into this weekend.Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit us up at griffin@rvamag.com....

‘The Roll Up’ Sparks One, Plugs In, Sees What Happens

Editor's note: Christian Detres is a main contributor to RVA Magazine. The Roll Up is a pretty simple idea, and Christian Detres, the man behind it, explains it best. "It's just invite four musicians to the studio, get them fucking stoned, have a nice conversation,...

Bijoux Nouveau Found Her People in Richmond

"My overwhelming feeling is gratitude for the jewels in my life since moving to Richmond and finally feeling welcomed. Feeling welcomed into this community is one of the most honoring gifts I could receive. We’re all looking for that sense of belonging.” — Bijoux...

Tim Barry Part 2 | Richmond, Family & November Fest

Tim Barry just released his ninth full album, Clear Blocks Ahead. He and I had a long, overdue conversation about everything and nothing, but sometimes about that new album. In part one of this three-part series, I brought up my first AVAIL show and found out that it...

RVA Live Music | Thundercat, Glimmer, Deathcat, Rikki Rakki

Lotta indie and a lot of dreamy shoegaze with a healthy dose of funk and hip hop this week. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit us up at griffin@rvamag.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ormQQG2UhtQ Thundercat,...