Don’t forget: this guy is from the Detroit suburbs.
Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
No one wants to get in the pit with Kid Rock. Rock band Shinedown is the latest act to pull out of Robert James Ritchie’s MAGA-adjacent “Rock the Country” music festival. “We know this decision will create differences of opinion. But we do not want to participate in something we believe will create further division,” the band wrote on Instagram February 6. “And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us. We love and appreciate you always.” So far, Shinedown is the fourth musician/group to pull out of the “divisive” festival.
Rapper Ludacris was the first act to pull out of the “Rock the Country” festival, days after his name was seen on the official lineup. Reps told Rolling Stone Luda was never going to perform, and that his inclusion was a “mix-up.” Oopsie. “Lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there,” they said. Shortly after that, country artists Morgan Wade and Carter Faith pulled out as well. Reality TV fans may remember Wade from her confusing friendship with Kyle Richards on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Wade’s music video teasing a romantic relationship with Richards.
Jason Aldean remains committed, as does Blake Shelton, Creed, Brooks & Dunn, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, and Jelly Roll. Aldean and Hank II’s politics are well-known. Jelly Roll demurred from speaking about his ideological stances at the Grammys Sunday night. When asked about America’s political climate after winning Best Contemporary Country Album, Mr. Roll said “You know, I’m a dumb redneck. I haven’t watched enough.” Jelly Roll also teased becoming more explicitly political within this upcoming week. “Everybody’s going to hear exactly what I have to say about it in the most loud and clear way I’ve ever spoken in my life,” he said. “So I look forward to it.”
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