This is a weird story about a bizarre relationship between country music star John Rich and a no-name, aspiring country singer Jared Ashley. Rich is one half of the country duo Big & Rich, a co-host of the now-canceled Nashville Star and host of VH1′s Gone Country. Ashley was a Nashville Star finalist in 2006.
After reading each side’s version of events, watching videos and reading court documents, I’ll admit that I just don’t get this one.
Rich filed suit this week against Ashley in Davidson County Circuit Court in Nashville, Tennessee, accusing him of defamation over comments made to a Tampa radio station last month. The comments related to two recent encounters between the two men.
Rich’s lawsuit claims that in Ashley implied or stated to the radio station that he asked Rich to come on stage at a Nashville music venue as a friendly gesture. Rich asserts that Ashley actually he invited Rich “in a taunting manner because he knew that Plaintiff Rich would not do so because of the fracture in the relationship caused by Defendant Ashley when he broke into Plaintiff Rich’s home.”
Oooookaaay? Huh?
Apparently, Rich accused Ashley of breaking into his house a few years ago. The lawsuit claims that Ashley told the radio station Rich was lying about the alleged break-in.
Ashley claims that, having been invited to Rich’s house one night, he and a friend showed up, saw the lights and TV on, and opened the door. No one was home and an alarm beeped. He says they left without going inside.
Then, last month, Rich and Ashley had another encounter. This one occurred at The Spot, a private bar Rich operates in Nashville’s Lower Broadway district.
Ashley says that Rich sent a text to one of Ashley’s buddies, inviting him and his friends to The Spot. Rich was “specifically informed who was in the group.” Ashley says Rich greeted the entire group in a friendly manner and offered free drinks.
Later, according to Ashley, Rich began “belittling” him. When Ashley tried to leave, he claims that Rich sucker-punched him in the left jaw. And Rich began yelling that Ashley had broken into his house.
Rich says that Ashley was “obnoxiously drunk” and was not invited to The Spot. He says that Ashley confronted him and caused a disturbance and was removed by security.
Rich asserts in his lawsuit that Ashley made his allegedly defamatory comments to the Tampa station the same week Rich’s second solo album, “Son of a Preacher Man,” was being released. He claims that Tampa is the “largest market for Big & Rich sales” and says that he has been forced to respond to Ashley’s statements instead of focusing on promoting the album.
Do you see what I mean? Does it seem like much ado about nothing to you? Maybe I’m just confused…wouldn’t be the first time.
