RIVERS RUTHERFORD Biography Ask him who his musical influences are and Rivers Rutherford will tell you without hesitation, “Elvis, Waylon Jennings, Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash … Cash loved the common man.” Well, spend some time with Rivers and it becomes clear what he has in common with these legendary men … he isn’t afraid to cross the line a little. Rivers’ big break came in 1989 when four American icons including Cash, Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, recorded his song, “American Remains,” as the Highwaymen. Though had Rutherford not jumped the fence surrounding the Memphis home of their producer, Chips Moman, they may have never heard his music. “Chips was not too happy about waking up to barking guard dogs and squad cars,” Rivers says, “but he listened…and when I had finished playing, he just sat there silently smoking a cigarette. I thought he didn’t like the song, so I started packing up my guitar.” But Moman did like it and made the decision to include the song on the second Highwaymen album on which Rutherford also played guitar and sang background vocals. After moving to Nashville in 1993, Rivers quickly found his place in the world as an entertainer, studio guitar player and songwriter. In 1996, Rivers signed with Universal Music Publishing and remains with the company today. Artists including Gretchen Wilson, Gary Allan, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Trick Pony, Blake Shelton, Deana Carter, Clay Davidson, Jamie O’Neal and Andy Griggs have since recorded Rutherford’s songs. Rutherford claimed his first number one hit, “Ain’t Nothin “Bout You” in 2001. The song spent six weeks at number one and is to date, the most successful single ever recorded by Brooks and Dunn. Rutherford was honored by ASCAP and received their Song of the Year Award in 2002. Since the smash hit with Brooks and Dunn, Rivers has accomplished two more number one singles, Tim McGraw’s “Real Good Man,” and Montgomery Gentry’s first number one, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” which he also produced. While Rivers continues to enjoy songwriting success with the current Gretchen Wilson hit, “Homewrecker,” he plans to expand performing, recording and is producing upcoming albums for artists such as Jamie O’Neal and Montgomery Gentry. Contact: Marcy Mynatt 615-364-4764 E-Mail: [email protected] .