MuzikMafia TV
Season 12005
6 Episodes
A look into the eclectic and diverse artists that make up the MuzikMafia, starting with Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich.
January 15, 2005The MuzikMafia tour returns to the road with Gretchen Wilson's hit anthem, ""Redneck Woman."" A ""godfather council"" -- Big Kenny, John Rich, Jon Nicholson and Cory Geirman -- discusses whether to bring the rapper Chance on the road. Willie Nelson jokes around with Big & Rich, Freddy Powers and Bill McDavid. Later in the show, Nelson and Big Kenny share the spotlight as Rachel Kice paints on stage. Meanwhile, Wilson wins an American Music Award for top new artist, but fellow nominee Kanye West complains that he deserved it.
January 22, 2005Gretchen Wilson is in St. Louis -- her home turf -- preparing to sing the national anthem for the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Big & Rich head to Deadwood, S.D., for gambling and relaxation. They reunite in Las Vegas for another awards show. Several other members of the Mafia -- Cory Geirman, James Otto, Jon Nicholson and Max on Sax -- are in Woodstock, N.Y., working on Nicholson's album. Also, artist Rachel Kice gets burned on a deal with a gallery owner in Las Vegas, but John Rich defends her.
January 29, 2005The American Revolution tour with Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and the MuzikMafia is still on the road. Wilson gets locked out of her dressing room and, wandering around the arena, asks, ""Do you know what day or time it is?"" We meet James Otto, a soulful singer-songwriter in the MuzikMafia. We meet Dean Hall, a strong, silent, kick-ass blues guitarist and singer who just six short months ago joined the Mafia family. We meet Max (on Sax) Abrams, the Ivy League-educated saxophone player who serves as a quasi stage manager during Mafia performances. Max, Otto and Hall are workout partners on the road and challenge and pick at each other to stay in shape and eat well. John Rich is lying low, tired and taking care of his voice. Big Kenny goes fishing with his girlfriend for some time away from the road. The Mafia goes to Fort Benning, an Army base in Georgia, to experience the Ranger training course. Pino, Max, Hall, Otto and Jon Nicholson all run the challenging, exhausting course. We see W
February 5, 2005This episode finds Jon Nicholson tidying up the Mafia dressing room and sharing why the vibe is key, even if James Otto is of no help. We hear from the Mafia why life on the bus is a bitch and see some wacky moments from Gretchen as she re-enacts giving birth to her daughter. Meanwhile, Otto has decided to grow out his hair. A blond, wavy mess, the other Mafia members give him a hard time about it. John Rich, the poker freak, enjoys a playful game with Two-Foot Fred, Otto, Nicholson and Cory Geirman, where funny comments and cards fly, while Rachel Kice, the Mafia's resident artist, paints concertgoers' pants in the lobby. Big Kenny's parents join the tour with a carload of homemade goodies, just what he and his friends need after weeks on the road. Otto's mom visits him and shares how proud she is of her son and how she wants grandkids. Then we meet Amy, Otto's warm, endearing girlfriend. On the tour's last stop, the Mafia hits Las Vegas, where two of Gretchen's idols join her on-stag
February 12, 2005Big Kenny deals with shoulder and arm pain, the result of a recent auto accident involving a drunk driver. We meet Cowboy Troy, who's come from a Foot Locker salesman in Dallas to a member of the Mafia. John Rich says he's ""the only 6' 5"" black rapping cowboy in country music."" While Big & Rich are in New Orleans, Troy takes a phone call offering him a record deal. Champagne flows, and we learn that Troy is going to be a big part of the Big & Rich performance on the CMA awards -- his big coming out moment. Gretchen Wilson wins the Horizon Award (given to the most promising new artist) and realizes that her dreams have finally come true -- a daughter, performing with Heart, her first headlining tour and recognition from an industry she fought long and hard to break into. She cries as the Mafia celebrates her big night.
February 19, 2005