Big Kenny Bio

Kenny Alphin, known professionally as Big Kenny is a singer, songwriter, humanitarian, farmer, lover of everybody, husband, father, brother, gardener, carpenter, head honcho of the University of Creativity, producer, fisherman, Muzik Mafia Godfather, welder and one creative guy. Together, he and John Rich comprise the duo Big & Rich, which have charted a remarkable 10 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

As a solo artist, Kenny has written top 10 hits for himself as well as Tim McGraw (“Last Dollar”), Gretchen Wilson (“Here For The Party”), Jason Aldean (“Hicktown,” “Amarillo Sky”), and been named BMI’s Songwriter of the Year. As half of the Grammy-nominated super duo Big & Rich, Kenny has sold in excess of five million albums.

Kenny has shared the stage, and collaborated on projects with artists such as U2, Green Day, R.E.M., Christina Aguilera, Aerosmith, Black Eyed Peas, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Wyclef Jean, Kid Rock, Alison Krauss, Youssou N’ Dour, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr. and Keith Urban.

Throughout his life, Kenny has been a strong advocate for causes that affect children, and tirelessly promotes human rights around the world. Moreover, he raises awareness and funds for both domestic and international causes, a unique stance among Country music performers. In fact, Big Kenny recently returned from a humanitarian effort in Haiti where he assisted his friend and former United States Senator, Dr. Bill Frist, by airlifting in medical supplies, and then performing 12 shows in 72 hours for members of the American Armed Forces who were in Port-au-Prince to assist with humanitarian relief following the devastating earthquake.

In 2007, Kenny was deeply moved by the genocide that was occurring in Sudan’s Darfur region, and joined artists such as U2, Green Day, R.E.M. and Aerosmith to create the Instant Karma benefit CD for Amnesty International – which raised over 5 million dollars. A strong believer in sustainability, Kenny funded the building of the Kunyuk School for Girls in Akon, Sudan and chartered planes to deliver medical and school supplies, musical instruments, clothing and building materials and tools. When Kenny wrote Tim McGraw’s No. 1 hit “Last Dollar,” he donated his royalties to the Kunyuk School, so their enrollment could increase from 250 to over 1,000 girls. He documented his journey on film, and since debuting it at the Nashville Film Festival in 2008, has utilized the film to spread awareness of the cause. In recognition of his efforts, the Save Darfur Coalition named Kenny their December 2008 “Darfur Hero.”

Alarmed by mountaintop coal removal in Appalachia, Kenny has become involved with the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is working to end this egregious practice. In 2010, Kenny performed a benefit concert “Music Saves Mountains” in Nashville with Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss, to bring the issue to the forefront. “They are tearing down the oldest forests in the country to get at coal that will be gone tomorrow,” he says. “They could be installing windmills on that same land that would provide clean power for years and years to come.”

With music as his medium, Kenny’s stated mission is to “Highlight the good, inspire greatness and encourage mutual responsibility for the betterment of mankind.”