{"id":221210,"date":"2026-02-06T16:30:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T16:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/06\/shinedown-drops-out-of-kid-rock-led-rock-the-country-concert\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T16:30:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T16:30:16","slug":"shinedown-drops-out-of-kid-rock-led-rock-the-country-concert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/06\/shinedown-drops-out-of-kid-rock-led-rock-the-country-concert\/","title":{"rendered":"Shinedown Drops Out of Kid Rock-Led Rock the Country Concert"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Shinedown is the latest musical act who will no longer perform at the 2026 Rock the Country Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cShinedown is everyone\u2019s band. We feel that we have been given a platform to bring all people together through the power and music and song,\u201d the group wrote in a Friday, February 6, X<\/a> statement. \u201cWe have one BOSS, and it is everyone in the audience. Our band\u2019s purpose is to unite, not divide.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement continued, \u201cWith 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shinedown \u2014 comprised of Brent Smith, Zach Myers, Barry Kerch, Eric Bass<\/strong> and Jasin Todd<\/strong> \u2014 further thanked their fans for \u201csupporting and believing in\u201d them.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Breaking Down Rock the Country Festival Drama After 4 Artists Drop Out<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tMonths before the Rock the Country festival crosses the United States, three of its named performers have all dropped out. The annual festival, consisting of an eight-city tour featuring sets from popular music artists, initially featured Ludacris, Morgan Wade and Carter Faith among the star-studded lineup. The trio of artists have since quietly canceled their [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rock the Country is an annual music festival, consisting of an eight-city tour with a slate of popular rock and country artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cRock The Country is more than just a festival, it\u2019s a celebration of community, tradition, and the spirit that\u2019s carried America through 250 years,\u201d a website<\/a> description reads. \u201cIt\u2019s where neighbors become friends, families come together under the wide-open sky, and folks from every walk of life share the simple joy of great music and good company.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement added, \u201cAs we honor this milestone 250th year, every song, every laugh and every toast feels a little bigger. It\u2019s a chance to look around and appreciate the strength of our towns, the stories that shaped us, and the moments we\u2019ll be talking about long after the lights go down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rock The Country will run from May to September, featuring headlining sets from Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert<\/strong> and Nelly<\/strong>. While Ludacris, Carter Faith<\/strong> and Morgan Wade<\/strong> were also initially included on the show lineup, they\u2019ve all since dropped out.<\/p>\n

\u201cLines got crossed, and he wasn\u2019t supposed to be on there,\u201d Ludacris\u2019 rep told Rolling Stone <\/i><\/a>in January, claiming his inclusion was \u201ca mix-up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Country Music\u2019s Biggest Feuds: Where They Stand Today<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tCountry music\u2019s biggest names\u00a0haven\u2019t been afraid to go head-to-head over the years, exchanging blows on social media, making up at awards shows and more. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rock the Country has sparked backlash after social media users presumed<\/a> that the festival is affiliated with the \u201cMake America Great Again\u201d conservative movement fueled by President Donald Trump<\/strong>. (Concert organizers have not publicly addressed its political affiliations.)<\/p>\n

Weeks before dropping out of Rock the Country, Shinedown drummer Kerch, 49, defended the band\u2019s participation.<\/p>\n

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