Big & Rich Ready to Get ‘Xtreme’ on the Road

It's been three years since Big & Rich were on their last tour, so fans are beyond excited to see them together again. That'll happen next weekend, on the first date of the duo's Xtreme Muzik tour, kicking off in Springfield, Mo., at the Show Me Music and Arts Festival. But no one is likely more excited than Kenny Alphin and John Rich themselves, who confess to feeling a whole new energy.

"To be back on the road with Big Kenny and our friend Gretchen Wilson is great," says John. "The tour, along with the 'Celebrity Apprentice' win, means this year is shaping up to be biggest year of my life. I can't wait to see what happens next."

The three years have been busy ones for John and Big Kenny, as the latter notes. "We all worked really hard for a long time, from the days of the MuzikMafia to the duo, which was a rocket ship taking off, and we accomplished great things. Now we've all had opportunities to have families, bring up children, and do some things that were important to each of us. During that time this energy built up to where we are going, 'Wow, we want to get out there together.'

"I miss singing with these guys [John and Gretchen], and it's awesome that we're doing the Xtreme Muzik tour with Gretchen, Cowboy Troy and Two Foot Fred," Kenny continues. "There is no way you can replace being out there with your friends; it's a beautiful thing to be at this place in our lives."

During the time the two were not touring, John released three solo albums and Kenny released one. Kenny also did some amazing charity work in the Sudan, and spoke out against strip-mining in the U.S. He produced several documentaries and performed with the African Children's Choir. John worked as a producer with the JaneDear girls and a host of CMT's 'Gone Country.' Most recently, the singer earned $1.4 million dollars for St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis by winning 'Celebrity Apprentice.'

"I don't think you every go into the 'Apprentice' thinking you're gonna win," says John. "Because one wrong phrase, one misspelled word, and it's 'bye bye.' I went on there for St Jude; I wanted to make a statement for those kids. The other thing I think was pretty awesome was seeing Donald Trump in a cowboy hat. I see that as a sign of respect to country music and a sign that country music is growing bigger and bigger."

For information on upcoming Big & Rich concerts, click here. Watch the duo perform their new hit, 'Fake I.D.,' with Gretchen at the CMT Music Awards below.