Basslines and Protest Signs is Brett Callwood’s column looking at the intersection of music and politics. This week takes down Kid Rock’s recent comments on Taylor Swift.
Kid Rock is upset that he can’t pick the good deed that will serve as his punishment for a brawl at a Georgia Waffle House . In a post on his Web site, the rocker blasts a judge for denying his request to serve his 80 hours of community service by performing for U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East. “Apparently he thinks it’s more important that I do something else rather than sing, shake hands , take pictures and spend time with the men and women who put themselves in harms (sic) way to protect the very freedom he… Read more »
Kid Rock has been sentenced to a year’s probation and fined $1,000 for his role in a fight at a suburban Atlanta Waffle House last fall. The DeKalb County solicitor’s office said the 37-year-old was also sentenced Monday to six hours of anger management counseling and 80 hours of community service. The entertainer, whose real name is Robert J. Ritchie, pleaded no contest to one count of simple battery. Four counts of battery were dropped. Ritchie’s tour bus stopped at the Waffle House about 5 a.m. on Oct. 21 after a performance in downtown Atlanta. An exchange of words with… Read more »
By A few shows into his Rock and Roll Revival tour, Kid Rock is proud of — and a little surprised by — what he’s wrought on the road. “After the first show, we were all like, ‘I can’t believe this thing worked!”‘ said Rock, who’s incorporating guests such as Run-DMC’s Rev. Run (Joseph Simmons), J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf and former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickie Betts with his expanded Twisted Brown Trucker Band into long, revue-style presentations. “There’s something going on here I don’t think any of us realize yet,” he told Billboard.com. Rock said the concept… Read more »
Just as he’s reached the top of the album charts for the first time, Kid Rock has made a major change at the top of his business operations. Rock’s manager, Detroit-based Ed “Punch” Andrews, who also handles Bob Seger, has resigned after seven years of working with the Michigan rocker. Sources tell Billboard.com that Andrews has decided to retire after shepherding Rock’s latest album, “Rock N Roll Jesus,” to release last week. “Rock N Roll Jesus” is Kid Rock’s first No. 1 album on The Billboard 200, selling just over 170,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Kid Rock has reportedly… Read more »
There’s quite a bit more rock than rap on Kid Rock’s first studio album in four years, tentatively titled “Rock’n’Roll Jesus,” which will arrive October 9. Recorded at his Michigan home, the Atlantic Records set cuts a broad stylistic swath, from metallic headbangers like first single “So Hot” and “Sugar” (the set’s only rap track) to such rootsy, gospel-hued fare as “Amen” and “When You Love Someone.” The Motown-influenced “Roll On” rolls alongside the power ballad “Miss Understood” and the Crescent City-flavored “New Orleans” (co-written with pal David Allen Coe), while “All Summer Long” entertainingly mashes up elements of Warren… Read more »
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kid Rock was arrested Wednesday by Nashville police on charges that he punched a disc jockey at a strip club. The 34-year-old rapper was released after posting a $3,000 bond on a charge of simple assault, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. “Everything is wonderful. It was a beautiful night,” Kid Rock said as he left the Criminal Justice Center. His arraignment was set for March 30. A few hours earlier, Kid Rock had appeared before Night Court Commissioner Howard Taradash. He chewed gum and laughed and joked with police officers as he… Read more »
Los Angeles – Kid Rock took fans on a wild ride through the history of rock ‘n’ roll by jamming with guitarists from Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and the Allman Brothers Band during a Hollywood club show on Thursday designed to raise money for music education in schools. Grammy nominee Gretchen Wilson and former sidekick Uncle Kracker also joined Kid Rock on stage at the House of Blues, while music industry denizens such as Ahmet Ertegun and Rick Rubin bobbed their heads to the beat from the balcony. “It’s hillbilly night in Hollywood tonight,” Kid Rock said midway through the… Read more »
When Prince, ZZ Top and Jackson Browne are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, they won’t have to look far to see contemporary stars their music influenced. Outkast, Kid Rock, Alicia Keys and Dave Matthews are among those who’ll pay tribute to their musical mentors by inducting this year’s class, organizers announced Thursday (February 19). The 2004 inductees also include the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison, the Dells, Bob Seger and Traffic. Other presenters include Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bruce Springsteen and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony… Read more »
Fresh from the November release of his self-titled album, Kid Rock is preparing for an arena tour in 2004. The trek will begin with a Jan. 22-23 stand in Saginaw, Mich.; 11 dates have been confirmed so far, through Feb. 14 in Raleigh. Rock will be backed by his band Twisted Brown Trucker — guitarists Kenny Olson and Jason Krause, keyboardist Jimmie Bones and drummer Stefanie Eulinberg. Released by Atlantic Records, “Kid Rock” debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 last month and has sold 378,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. Cable music-video network VH1 will… Read more »
