"The only thing I ever cared to do with my life, from the time I was 5 or 6 years old, is make country music," John Rich [ tickets ] writes in a statement on his website.

The Amarillo, TX, native is branching out on his own after a four-year stint with Big Kenny [ tickets ] under the name Big & Rich [ tickets ]. This spring, Rich made it official with the release of his first solo album, "Son of a Preacher Man," which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart. The second single from the set, "Shuttin' Detroit Down," peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Sunday night (10/4), Rich performed a set during the Chicago Country Music Festival in Grant Park. LiveDaily photographer Lyle A. Waisman was there to get photos of the show.