John Rich claims he didn't punch the lights out of an aspiring star.
But the latter half of Big & Rich was charged Thursday with assault and harassment for allegedly smacking a former Nashville Star contestant in the face.
The country rocker sued self-proclaimed victim Jared Ashley for defamation in April, claiming Ashley muddied the Rich name by accusing him of rough-housing.
Rich turned himself into Nashville police today to be booked on two misdemeanor counts of assault and one count of harassment, after which he was released on a $2,000 bond.
The "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" singer said in a statement afterward that the charges are false and that he rejected a $2.9 million settlement offer from Ashley to drop his lawsuit.
Big & Rich have been on hiatus while Big Kenny tends to an injury, giving Rich time to release his second solo album, Son of a Preacher Man, in March.
Former Danzig bassist Jerry Montano sued the duo's beleaguered half in November, saying he suffered severe injuries in a fight with Rich the month before.