Shinedown Withdraws from Rock The Country Festival, Citing Unity Over Division
Shinedown has pulled out of the Rock The Country festival, a move that follows similar decisions by other artists and comes despite previous comments from a band member criticizing those who withdrew.
Later this year, the Rock The Country festival, featuring MAGA-affiliated headliners like Kid Rock and Jason Aldean, is set to tour across America. The extensive lineup includes names such as Jelly Roll, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ella Langley, Nelly, and former spouses Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. However, since its announcement, several acts have dropped out, with active rock all-stars Shinedown being the latest to join their ranks.
Ludacris was the first artist to withdraw from Rock The Country, followed by country artists Carter Faith and Morgan Wade. Now, Shinedown has announced their departure via Instagram, stating their purpose is "to unite not divide" and that they "do not want to participate in something that we feel will create further division." Their full statement reads:
>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 that we believe will create further division.
>
>And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us.
>
>We love and appreciate you always.
Shinedown was scheduled to headline the second date of the festival's Anderson, South Carolina stops on July 25 and 26, with Creed headlining the first. These shows are no longer listed on Rock The Country's website, and both bands have been removed from the promotional poster.
Interestingly, Shinedown's announcement is somewhat surprising given that their drummer, Barry Kerch, recently labeled Ludacris a "coward" for dropping out of the festival. In an interview on The Vinyl Road podcast, Kerch stated, "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."
Related Articles
- Shinedown Withdraws From Rock the Country Festival Amidst MAGA Concerns
- Ludacris Effect: Morgan Wade and Carter Faith Exit MAGA-Leaning 'Rock The Country' Tour
- Blood Orange Curates Eclectic Lineup for London's Rally Festival 2026
Related Articles
Listen to Shinedown on Foxsoundi. Click here to listen!
Comments (0)
Login to comment