‘Catch of the Day’ – Big & Rich ft Tim McGraw – “Lovin’ Lately” [VIDEO]

Today's spotlight falls on a duo who do things their way, a way that goes against the standard flow of the country music world, and a singer, who has always done it his own way.

Big & Rich have never been conventional. From a self produced debut album that featured four top-20 hits, to leading the Muzik Mafia, Kenny Alpin and John Rich are individualist who have swam up the country music mainstream, sometimes at the expense of their own success. Their debut album, Horse of a Different Color featured Kris Kristofferson, one of the original outlaws of country music, and introduced us to not only Big & Rich, but to "hick-hop" pioneer Cowboy Troy, another member of the Mofia, which also features Gretchen Wilson and James Otto.

Known as much for the philanthropic and political work as their music, the duo went on hiatus in 2007. During the time, Big Kenny traveled to Darfur and Akon, Sudan to deliver medical and educational supplies in 2009. He also traveled to Haiti in 2010 to assist in rescue efforts in the aftermath of an earthquake that ravaged the country. John Rich lent his name to several political causes, including supporting Republican presidential candidates Fred Thompson and John McCain, Conservative party congressional candidate Doug Hoffman in New York in 2009, and Republican candidate Zach Wamp in his 2010 bid for the Governorship of Tennessee.

During their hiatus, both Rich and Alpin released solo albums, while Big Kenny recovered from a serious neck injury and Rich wrote and produced music for Gretchen Wilson, Jason Aldean, James Otto and Jewel. Rich appeared on several reality and contest programs, including Nashville Star, Gone Country, The Next and The Celebrity Apprentice. Rich appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice garnered over $1.2 million for St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis as a project manager, and an additional $250,000 for the charity for winning the competition.

The pair reunited in 2011, first to record the song "Fake I.D." for the remake of Footloose, then to begin work on their fourth studio album, Hillbilly Jedi. The album was released in 2012, led by the single "That's Why I Pray". The song debuted at #24, the highest debut by a duo in the modern era. The song failed to capitalize on its debut, peaking at #16 on the Billboard Hot Country chart. Two more singles from the album, "Party Like Cowboyz" and "Cheat On You" failed to crack the top-40.

In 2013, the duo announced the formation of Big & Rich Records, and the first project from the new company would be the duo's fifth studio album. Gravity was released in January of 2014, featuring two future top-10 singles, "Look At You" (#7) and "Run Away With You" (#10). The third single from the album is our featured song today. Today's Catch of the Day is Big & Rich featuring Tim McGraw and "Lovin' Lately" new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.