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Country star John Rich is taking on a new role outside of music after being appointed Special Envoy for American Landowners by the Trump administration.

Rich shared the news with fans on social media earlier this week.

“President Trump has afforded me the great honor to serve in his administration as the ‘Special Envoy for American Landowners,’” he wrote on X. “In this role, I look forward to representing and advocating for landowners’ rights against any entity that chooses to harass or intimidate them in an effort to achieve goals contrary to those of the President. I look forward to defending our farmers and ranchers.”  

In his new role as Special Envoy, Rich will champion the interests of America’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners, working to make sure their voices are represented and their property rights remain protected. He will connect directly with landowners nationwide and help address concerns surrounding government regulations, advocacy group efforts, and other outside influences that could impact rural communities and private land ownership.

A major part of his mission will involve supporting landowners navigating issues related to large-scale solar and wind energy projects that may affect farmland, ranchland, and rural ways of life. Working alongside USDA leadership and industry stakeholders, Rich will advocate for landowners and ensure they have a seat at the table when decisions about their land and communities are being made.

Secretary Brooke Rollins, the 33rd US Secretary of Agriculture, welcomed Trump’s appointment.

“America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners are among the greatest stewards of our nation’s resources and the backbone of our rural communities,” Secretary Rollins shared. “President Trump understands that private property rights are fundamental to the American way of life. John Rich has long been a champion for rural America, and I look forward to working alongside him as we continue fighting for the people who feed, fuel, and clothe our nation.” 

The appointment to Special Envoy comes after John Rich fought against the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to protect land and farmers in parts of Tennessee. 

Rich has never shied away from sharing his beliefs or political opinions.

“I could give you the tough guy answer and say, I didn’t care what they thought. That’s not true,” Rich previously shared when reflecting on the reaction to his outspoken views. 

“At one point, I had to kind of look at the back and forth of that whole scenario and say, ‘Well, is the music industry’s approval of me more important to me than my right to free speech?’” Rich questioned. 

For him, the opinion of his family, especially his sons, is what matters most. And if he faces backlash, then so be it.  

“I don’t know what the fallout’s going to be. But I’d rather say what I want to say, be an actual American. And if there’s a bloody nose to take, then I guess I’ll take it. And I did take a lot of bloody noses and still do.”

The post John Rich Takes On New Role in Trump Administration as Special Envoy for American Landowners appeared first on Country Now.

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The history of the word ‘redneck’ is truly a wild ride. Continue reading…​The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs

The history of the word ‘redneck’ is truly a wild ride. Continue reading…​Country Music News – Taste of Country

Billy Ray Cyrus is opening up about one of the darkest chapters of his life in a new interview.

During a recent in-depth interview with PEOPLE, the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer shared that he was going through a serious battle with sepsis in 2024 that nearly claimed his life.

“I got really sick and almost died,” Cyrus admitted to the outlet.

While making frequent trips in and out of the hospital, Cyrus said he turned to prayer for strength. He would spend hours at home kneeling beside his dog, Tommy Jack, at what he calls his “prayer rock,” asking God for a miracle. According to Cyrus, he spent so much time there that the constant pressure left a permanent white mark on his knee.

“I started getting on that rock every morning, every day, every sunset, every night…I was like, ‘God, please, I need a miracle. I need a miracle.’ Tommy Jack would be sitting there with me going, ‘He needs a miracle. He needs a miracle. Please, he needs a miracle.’”

It turned out that his prayers were answered because just before he prepared to go in for one more surgery, his doctors told him, “Mr. Cyrus, it’s gone. It healed.”

Throughout that difficult journey of multiple hospital visits, a loss of his voice, and an uncertain future, Cyrus said Noah’s recording of “Don’t Put It All On Me,” a track written by his son, Braison Cyrus, became his source of comfort and hope.

“She’s got that one song honestly that saved my life. It’s called ‘Don’t Put It All On Me’. Braison wrote that and that was I think one of the only songs on her album that was not written by her. Braison wrote it and she cut it,” he explained.

Cyrus admits he listened to the song so often he became “addicted”

“It was the only thing that somehow gave me a little bit of peace in that moment…I just loved it so much and to me, that’s what it felt like. And I do credit that particular song was saving me. It’s part of it, for sure.”

The health issues left him struggling to sing or even speak, but after experiencing that first miracle, Cyrus discovered a newfound source of strength to get back up and start dreaming again. This led him to record his duet with Noah titled, “On Our Way Along,” which arrived back in April.

“The oddest part about it is that was the beginning of Braison saying, ‘Dad, I don’t know what’s going on with your voice, but this is the most I’ve ever loved your singing.’ And him and Noah started comparing it to some of Larry Cohen, Johnny Cash. They started comparing it to some really great sounds that Kris Kristofferson, one of them had mentioned.”

Cyrus went on to challenge himself not only through the new album he’s building out, but also his time on The Masked Singer in February 2026 as the “Owl” in Season 14. Eventually, his voice came back to him, something he credits to “God’s timing.”

@maskedsingerfox No need to wonder “who” any longer — #OwlMask‘s just been revealed as @Billy Ray Cyrus!🦉🎶 Watch his major unmasking and performances on #TheMaskedSinger, streaming on @hulu ♬ original sound – The Masked Singer

Now Billy Ray Cyrus has not just one new collection of songs in the works that he feels very strongly about, but several. This upcoming set of music is expected to be a look back on the emotions he endured through divorce, finding a new love with actress Elizabeth Hurley, repairing his relationship with his family and coming back to music.

“I love this music and I feel really, really like a full plate of what this music is. And even I’ve written so many new songs with new stuff. I’ve got two or three albums in the can…I’m up to speed on the music and I love it right now and going out on tour and playing, taking it to the people, that’s a fun part. But I also got some creative things that I want to do and acting in particular right now.”

Billy Ray’s forthcoming album, The Hill, is set to arrive on June 16. This will mark his first new record in 14 years. He also has several performances on the books throughout June and July.

The post Billy Ray Cyrus Reveals He ‘Almost Died’ In 2024 appeared first on Country Now.

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