Nashville’s Rockin’ Rich Lynch (www.RichLynchBand.com) is a musician and a man with a marketing plan.
After observing all the excitement and hysteria that accompanied the big league draft in Music City in 2019, I started working on a roadmap that would lead me to wear only football-related apparel on stage and during public appearances. Fast forward two years, and it is now apparent that my unique approach is working by stitching together the disparate worlds of American football, fashion, and music.
Consider a recent night in Music City, I found himself at a private party on Broadway hosted by country music star John Rich who was rolling out the latest additions to his Redneck Riviera product line and lifestyle brand from his bar of the same name–along with a little help from some of his famous friends.
Rich with Meat Loaf (l) and John Rich
In the house was classic rock legend Meat Loaf, who took to the stage for the first time in four years following several rounds of grueling back surgeries. Meat Loaf sang a few bars of I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) before leading the band and bar in a sturdy version of Johnny Be Good.
Meat broke out in a few smiles seemingly happy to be performing again.
On this night, I was wearing a hat and shirt combo sent to me by a semi-pro team from the Rocky Mountain state called the Colorado 76ers. John Rich immediately took note of the name and logo because (by a sheer coincidence), the brand name of the barbecue sauce he was introducing to the public happened to be “1776.”
We tried it, and you could taste the flavorful patriotism with a kick!
I also presented John Rich with a shirt from Nashville’s leading semi-pro team called the Nashville Elite (above left), recognizing the artist who is one half of the legendary duo Big & Rich for his elite status as an entrepreneur and musician.
I was also able to pair up with a couple more famous performers (albeit ones who had moved on to the great beyond) when I visited the stunning collection of murals in the Berry Hill section of Nashville. This part of town is quickly becoming Music Row 2.0, and I partook in what is now a favorite past-time in these parts–taking photos with these painted musical icons as backdrops.
Rich and Johnny
Dressed in an outfit sent by the Inglewood Blackhawks(see photo at right) of the hard-hitting Labelle Developmental Football League, one of the top developmental leagues in the United States, I stood with a painting the “Man in Black,” Mr. Johnny Cash.
Then there is the late great Tom Petty, a true rock and roll gladiator and trendsetter, and an inspiration to me and my music. I posed with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer in the trendy and fashionable garb sent to him by the Duke City Gladiators, an upstart franchise in the Indoor Football League circuit. (See cover photo).
It’s been a complicated effort to get all the pieces in place and to map out the Xs and Os. The teams and leagues seem to appreciate my efforts, so I’m going to keep taking my shots at the end zone to score early and often and come away victorious while there’s still time left on the clock.
You can help, too! American football-related teams, leagues, and organizations can support my efforts as we perform on Nashville’s stages and prepare for an upcoming National Tour, Donate a hat and shirt to the cause.
– A Large Adult Shirt in any style (t-shirt, jersey, polo), and
– A matching baseball-style hat that I can wear on stage during appearances.
For information about where to send apparel, go here.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Global Gridiron!
