John Rich of Big & Rich says the Carolina Country Music Fest in the ‘Redneck Riviera’ was his idea

John Rich said it was about a year ago when he was talking with Full House Productions President Bob Durkin about his new lifestyle line and the need for a country music festival in the southeast.

“I trademarked the phrase ‘Redneck Riviera’ and I have a lifestyle line,” he said. “What better place [than Myrtle Beach] to have a country music festival?”

Rich said he planted the seed with Durkin and Full House Productions to bring a large-scale music festival to Myrtle Beach leading to the January announcement of the Carolina Country Music Fest.

Big & Rich will be one of the 35 acts performing during the three-day music festival Friday through Sunday on the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion property which includes headliners Eric Church, Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum. There also will be a kickoff concert Thursday featuring Sam Hunt.