Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Creamtastic / Wow The Brouhaha Keeps Brewin': Affidavits Filed in the Jared Ashley vs. John Rich Case Include Allegations of Copyright Infringement
Posted by Tracy Moore on Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 4:57 PM
The Jared Ashley vs. John Rich saga continues, and the latest details include more testimony that Rich is a big jerk, and even accusations of copyright infringement.
It all started back in March, when Rich allegedly threatened Ashley at a performance at Legend's. Next, Rich allegedly popped Ashley a good one in the face after the former Nashville Star contestant allegedly showed up and drank for free at Rich's private bar, The Spot. Ashley filed assault charges. Rich allegedly left threatening voicemail messages on Ashley's phone. Ashley filed an affidavit. Ashley went on a Florida radio interview and allegedly said Rich hit him. Rich filed a defamation suit. Ashley filed assault and harassment charges. Warrants were issued.
We recently told you John Rich had turned himself in to police for those three arrest warrants out against him for assault and harassment, and that he posted bond. Part of his statement to the press alleges that Ashley and his team asked for $2.9 million in damages for Rich to drop the charges. Now Ashley alleges he's the one who has been defamed.
The Associated Press has reported that Ashley has filed a lawsuit against Rich in Circuit Court as of Monday, contending that "Rich and Rich's attorney defamed him by falsely telling the media that Ashley demanded $2.9 million to drop the charges." The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
But Cream readers may be interested to find that one of the affidavits filed on behalf of Ashley, in an effort to establish a long history of abusive, intimidating behavior by Rich, comes courtesy of one Robert L. Smith, a local private security guard most of us know as Bobby from Mercy Lounge. We already knew he was one of hell of a nice guy who only uses his brute force when necessary, but court documents also show him as an extremely principled guy as well--someone who won't work for a famous dude if that dude consistently abuses his power and position.
Smith protected MuzikMafia members and Rich from June 2004 to April 2006, but the $200 a night wasn't enough to put up with Rich's hunger for conflict, according to the court documents. Check out Smith's affidavit here.
And that copyright infringement business? Another affidavit filed by artist Dawn Martin alleges that the Gretchen Wilson/John Rich-authored hit "Redneck Woman" is actually "substantially similar" to Martin's own song, "Redneck Country Girl." Martin claims the demo was played to Rich, who acted "extremely impressed," and that she also performed the song at MuzikMafia events at Pub of Love in his presence. In 2004, the Wilson hit "Redneck Woman" gained immediate popularity. When Martin emailed Rich to tell him she wasn't very happy about his version of her song, she alleges his response was that she should "really think about the consequences of your accusations before you start slinging them around the internet."
More deets as we get them.
Comments (8)
Showing 1-8 of 8
like
dislike
Wow....the grammar in that "affidavit" makes me doubt very much that any lawyer worth any salt at all would allow it to go to a court of law like that. Can't believe everything you read.....
i accidentally saw him on CMT once and his whole shtick was making overt sexual edvances at the host(ess?) of the show, and dry-humping detroit.
I have now logged a grand sum total in my life of about 34 minutes of watching CMT, and 15 of it was Trainwreck John Dick.
I watched him on Nashville Star demand an apology from a contestant because of a facial expression the contestant made at Jewel who was a judge. I then watched him put down contestant after contestant. Where does this guy come off thinking he is so big in Nashville to demand such respect? He might remember that Lonestar fired him......and they probably had good reason. He really thinks way too much of himself.
Well I for one am soo sad with JR, i don’t know what to think. I am a huge fan of his…now I know he can be a bit “proud”, and granted ever since his marriage he has been in more trouble than usual, but give the guy a break. He drinks yes, he’s under alot of stress because he has 3 lawsuits against him not to mention these latest ones accusing him of plagarizing the song “redneck woman”. And a new album, plus a tour, and all the other details that follow being in the public eye. I don’t applaud his behavior as of late, but if you worked your whole life trying to be something and do stuff you love and some guy shows up and besmirches your whole exsistence, wouldn’t you be pissed off?? If this fight had been about one trailer trash hick against another hick, there would not be a lawsuit. Jared Ashley has known John for “years”. John has tried to HELP Jared up until Jared got snippy. Jared also has had issues with John;s little brother Issac. Why would someone who had problems with JR and Ike, still go to JR’s PRIVATE bar, drink for free(moocher)and then insult the host. Jared is not all that innocent. His little stunts are getting him the recongnition he hasn’t had since Nashville Star and that is another story, JR got him on there..giving Jared a leg up against the others, but when the sponsors changed half way through Jared ended up losing. Well Jared’s blogs show another side. He knew he had help in the show by JR and yet he still lied to everyone. He taunted JR at Legends, showed up at a PRivate pub mooching free beer, and he’s supposed to be the “BETTER GUY” Give me a break!! JR may not be perfect, But Jared is not that Innocent. I’m on TEAM RICH. for better or worse. I love JR, and i pray that he bounces back from all of this. KEEP THE FAITH,BROTHER SOME OF US STILL BELIEVE IN YOU.
LOVE YOU JR
John Rich has been getting piss drunk, and kicked out of downtown nashville bars for years. He goes down there, starts shit with the bands, and then relies on his posse to have his back. I'd have paid good money to have been there the night he got knocked out at layla's.
"Amaris says:
Well I for one am soo sad with JR, i don’t know what to think. I am a huge fan of his…now I know he can be a bit “proud”, and granted ever since his marriage he has been in more trouble than usual, but give the guy a break. "
- I'll give him a break when he moves back to Texas...
Vote here for best Band of the Week
Slideshows
Top Commenters
