Viewers watching the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 3rd missed John Rich taking the reins as project manager on an assignment for “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Working on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Rich rocked the fundraising, bringing in $50,000 each for a pair of red, white and blue boots and a red, white and blue hat, and $460,000 for a signed “Apprentice” guitar, and his team raised $627,000, more than any single episode in the show’s history.

Meanwhile, Rich arrived at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards with Big & Rich bandmate Big Kenny to promote their upcoming tour.