Big & Rich’s John Rich explains his decision to stand up for Carrie Underwood amid the anti-mask controversy.

The Big & Rich singer had previously spoken out on Underwood’s defense after facing widespread backlash on Twitter in mid-August after liking an anti-mask Tweet from the conservative commentator and host of The Matt Walsh Show, Matt Walsh.

When news broke that the “Cry Pretty” singer was supporting the anti-mask Tweet, that Walsh “spoke out against the cruel and indefensible mandate of the mask for children,” thousands of Twitter users attacked the native of Oklahoma. Rich had previously shared his thoughts on the situation via Twitter, following outrage from hundreds of Twitter users. However, he believes Underwood should be able to share whatever she wants on Twitter.

“I say @carrieunderwood can like any tweet she wants to like. Who are “they” to shout it? Rich tweeted late Tuesday afternoon. “Watch out, this is a tough Okie girl 🙂 See what’s going on here? It’s “freedom of speech unless you disagree with the crowd.” #CarrieTakeTheWheel “

https://t.co/1M7m6Lfjfz
I say @carrieunderwood can like any tweet she wants to like. Who are “they” to shout it? Watch out, she’s a tough Okie girl 🙂 See what’s going on here? It’s “freedom of speech unless you don’t agree with the crowd.” #CarrieTakeTheWheel

– John Rich (@johnrich) August 17, 2021

Now, weeks after the incident, Rich explains his decision to defend the nation’s superstar. In a recent interview with Country Taste, Rich explained, “We’re at a point in this country where you can’t express your opinion, even the least bit, without running the risk of them coming towards you with their razor blades ready to cut you and bring you down. just above your opinion. And so, there is a real problem right now among country music artists and the country music audience. They couldn’t be further apart from each other. .

Rich went on to explain that he believed that most of the music industry, not just country artists but all artists, would rather be silent than put their careers in jeopardy by expressing their beliefs. However, he admitted that he no longer cares what the industry thinks and that he speaks freely.

“You have a lot of artists who aren’t Carrie Underwood’s size, but they’re emerging or mid-level artists who have opinions as strong as anyone, but they won’t say anything because if they do it, the industry will crush them, ”Rich added. “I’m in a unique position where I don’t care about the industry. I really don’t care.

The “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” singer was recently admitted to FOX Business’ The pursuit! With John Rich that he decided that his “freedom of speech and the expression of it were more valuable” to him than “the approval of the music industry“.

“How could I look at my kids and basically say to them, ‘Don’t express yourself through your right to free speech, because you’re afraid it will cost you money or it will cost you. a favor with the people, ”said Rich. “I don’t want my kids to live like this.”

“I’m going to say what I mean and think what I say and drop the chips,” he continued to tell the post. “The industry is not giving any more about what is happening to me, but the public understands what I am saying. New opportunities present themselves to me. I will always write songs no matter what, because that’s what I do. I might not make a lot of money with them anymore like I did before, but that’s okay. It is the existence for me that I am happy at this time.

The explanation comes just a day after Rich took to Twitter to defend Jason Aldean’s political beliefs.