Kid Rock has canceled the South Carolina stop of his Rock the Country festival on July 25th–26th after numerous performers pulled out of the event.
The announcement comes after Kid Rock drew national attention for headlining Turning Point USA‘s “All-American Halftime Show” during the Super Bowl. The conservative organization’s livestreamed event, which also featured Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, served as counterprogramming to Bad Bunny‘s official halftime performance.
The cancellation follows a series of high-profile departures from the lineup. Shinedown became the latest act to withdraw, releasing a statement emphasizing their commitment to unity. The band explained they didn’t want to participate in an event that would increase division among people.
“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,” the band said in a statement.
“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 added.
Before Shinedown’s exit, Ludacris was removed from promotional materials, with his team claiming his inclusion was a mistake. Country artists Morgan Wade and Carter Faith also stepped away without public explanation, while Creed quietly disappeared from the festival’s website.
The festival, which markets itself as celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and emphasizes themes of tradition and community, is still set to visit seven small towns in Texas, Georgia, South Dakota, Kentucky, Missouri, Florida, and New York. Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Brooks & Dunn, and many more are still listed for those performances.