Amid growing controversy over the right-wing political ties of the Kid Rock-led ‘Rock The Country‘ tour, Shinedown have withdrawn from the bill. A statement issued by the multi-platinum band this morning (February 06th) read as follows:
“SHINEDOWN is everyone’s band. We feel that we have been given a platform to bring all people together through the power of music and song.
We have one BOSS, and it is everyone in the audience. Our band’s purpose is to unite, not divide. With that in mind, we have made the decision that we will not be playing the Rock The Country 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.
And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us.
We love and appreciate you always.
All love and respect,
SHINEDOWN“
This statement follows the band’s drummer Barry Kerch previously calling rapper Ludacris a “coward” for backing out of the festival last month, shortly after the festival was announced. While the festival went off without major concern last year with Nickelback and Kid Rock headlining, this year’s edition’s increasing MAGA ties have seen the touring festival become a lightning rod for controversy. Rock stated the following of this year’s edition upon it being announced
“It’s this simple. ‘Rock The Country‘ isn’t just a music festival; it’s a movement. In 2026, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, this is a place for hard-working, God-fearing patriots to gather as one and celebrate freedom, music, and the party of the year.”
Upon hearing of Ludacris backing out of the festival shortly after the lineup was announced last month (his representatives cited a “mix-up” in the booking), Kerch told The Vinyl Road the following regarding the backlash his band has faced for agreeing to play ‘Rock The Country‘:
“There’s been tons. The knives come out when they don’t like it, especially now politically. And we are an apolitical band. But the knives have come out. It’s crazy. And to be honest, I had no idea, and neither did Brent [Smith, Shinedown vocalist] — I think Zach [Myers, Shinedown guitarist] maybe had a clue — I had no idea this was Kid Rock’s thing. It was just, ‘Hey, here’s an offer. It looks like a cool lineup, and it’s a mix of country and rock. Okay, we’ll play it.’ We took the offer and played it, and then all of a sudden we find out, ‘Oh, this has got some political leaning to it.’
“I don’t care. I’m just gonna go play a show. I really, really don’t care. You can keep your politics to yourself. I have no opinion one way or the other on Kid Rock. I love his music. This is about music. Ludacris wasn’t tough… I mean, it’s not like he needs the money, Jeez. If he’s not tough enough to stick it out, that’s just silly. That’s him being a coward, in my opinion.”
He went on to add the following when asked if Shinedown would ever turn down a show opportunity in protest of another performing artist’s political beliefs:
“I would hope not, but [Shinedown] is a democracy. There’s four of us to vote. My vote would be no, but if three of the other guys vote against it, then, again, it’s a democracy. I can’t change their vote. But I would hope not. ‘Cause I like to stick by my grounds. And listen, I don’t do politics when it comes to the business of Shinedown. I have my own beliefs. I keep those to myself, and so do the other three guys. I just wanna go play a rock show with some country bands ’cause it looks like fun.”
Shinedown and Ludcaris aren’t the only artists to have withdrawn from the fest since its reveal, with Carter Faith and Morgan Wade both exiting the bill as well.
