John Rich Gets ‘Royal’ Treatment From Mickey Rourke

What is John Rich's connection to Mickey Rourke, the Oscar-nominated actor from 'The Wrestler'?

"Crown Royal!" Rich tells The Boot. "I was in New York at a place called Cipriani's. This dude tapped me on the shoulder, and I thought, 'Oh, here we go -- it's one of two things: it's either somebody who wants an autograph or someone who's getting ready to sock me in the jaw.'"

It was neither. Rourke happened to be at the bar, recognized Rich and wanted to introduce himself. The two quickly found they were mutual fans.

"He said, 'What are you drinking?' I said, 'Crown Royal.' So he said, 'Let's get another one,'" Rich recalls of their first meeting. "So we spent about the next three hours drinking Crown, talking about movies and music. We traded phone numbers, and then when 'The Wrestler' came out, I texted him to say congratulations. He texted right back and said, 'I want to come to Nashville.'"

What initially connected the two may have been whiskey, but it was Rich's new single, 'Shuttin' Detroit Down,' that reconnected them. The country mogul says Rourke was the first actor who came to mind when he thought about casting for the song's video.

"I thought, 'Who would be the most perfect face to represent blue collar, hard-working America?' That's Mickey Rourke, without a doubt," says Rich.

Rich sent Rourke the song, and the actor quickly jumped onboard. The two star alongside Kris Kristofferson in the the upcoming video, tentatively set for release next week. Rich's solo album, 'Son of a Preacher Man,' was released Tuesday. You can listen to it, track-by-track, here, and read our full interview with Rich here.

Download John Rich Songs | Buy John Rich's CD

Listen to 'Son of a Preacher Man'

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Courtesy of the Valory Music Co.

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Musician Keith Urban, actress Nicole Kidman and musician Paul McCartney in the audience at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

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Country singer Trace Adkins arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on February 8, 2009. Adkins is nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

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