We certainly know a lot about John Rich's opinions. But when it comes to his relationship with God, that is something that he, like most of us, probably likes to keep to himself.
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But on a recent episode of the podcast The Shawn Ryan Show, the Big & Rich songwriter decided to open up and share a more personal side of his life. He got candid about his addiction to gambling and how God helped him quit cold turkey.
John Rich Used To Count Cards
As the nearly four-hour conversation between Rich and Ryan begins, the songwriter describes his life before he found his faith, explaining that he was unhappy and that gambling was a struggle for him.
"I was so good at it, at blackjack," says Rich. "So I would go in and take over a whole blackjack table. I'd play all nine seats, just me and a dealer. And I'd play all nine hands, and I'd make sure they didn't use more than two decks. 'Cause I could count them if it was two decks. I couldn't count them — those six deck shoes — can't count those. I couldn't. But I could count two."
Over time, Rich started playing at high-dollar tables. At one point, if he stayed in a hotel with a casino, someone would meet him at his car so he could sign off on a $50,000 marker and have chips waiting for him in his room.
One Night, God Spoke to Rich
On one particular night after a show in Tunica, Mississippi, Rich said he won $62,000 from a blackjack table in just one hour. It was during this moment that he felt God tell him he was spending his money thoughtlessly.
"$62,000 in cash, flew back home, woke up the next morning looking at that money, and I realized... That is the most disrespectful thing you could possibly ever do," recalls Rich. "Like that's how He (God) was making me feel about that.
"Son, can you imagine what your dad could have done with $62,000? Where did you get the $62,000 to even gamble? I gave you the 62. I gave you the talent that would go out here and allow you to earn money like that. And this is what you're going to do with it? Stick it on a stupid blackjack table? And risk it? Why don't you take $62,000 and go help a bunch of old people eat lunch every day? Or why don't you go help some kids get out of a bad situation?"
Rich Then Bought a Truck
After this realization, Rich decided to use that money to purchase something he needed: a new truck. He still owns it as a reminder of where he was in his life before he received what he considers a revelation from God.
You can listen to Rich's entire conversation with Ryan below.
Photo by Sterling Munksgard/Shutterstock
