Shinedown have announced they will no longer be appearing at the 2026 edition of the Kid Rock-backed ‘Rock The Country’ festival. The decision arrives shortly after drummer Barry Kerch publicly criticized rapper Ludacris for stepping away from the same event, calling him a “coward” in remarks that stirred debate online.
The band confirmed their own withdrawal in a statement shared via social media, framing the move as being rooted in their broader outlook on unity and inclusivity:
“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.”
The festival, curated by Kid Rock, has already seen lineup shakeups as discussion surrounding its positioning and messaging continues online. At the time of writing, no further comment has been issued regarding a replacement act or any additional lineup changes.
If you’re rocking with The Mosh Network, hit the link and add us as a Preferred Source on Google. That’s the easiest way to keep our latest metal, hardcore, and alternative news, tours, and releases showing up directly in your feed.
45 Comments
Read more:
https://springgreen-caribou-353428.hostingersite.com/shinedown-exit-rock-the-country-festival/
To late..
TOO late for?
Wasn’t the drummer accusing someone else for leaving just last week?
Daniel Compo Sure did!
Daniel Compo – See? They even cause division within bands.
Good for them for getting out. Pro-MAGA is divisive whether anyone is willing to admit it or not.
Daniel CompoMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10232511721444117&set=p.10232511721444117&type=3
What a shame! Saying your against division as you divide
Todd Mayo Actually after the drummer’s name calling, the band took a vote to do the concert and the vote was 3 to 1 not to do the concert. Guess who the one was? The Drummer. The drummer stated that the band was a Democracy and agreed with the vote. He didn’t claim voting was rigged unlike some people.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=880834251403621&set=p.880834251403621&type=3
Pathetic
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3286235711546003&set=p.3286235711546003&type=3
No big loss
Abby Winkel Bay I guess you’d prefer to listen to a pedophile statutory rapist who sings about it! You are a SICKO🤮
Mary-Molly McClintock 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 have a great night!
Creed left as well.
Oh what will they do without the kings of Buttrock??
🤡Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10236458052685114&set=p.10236458052685114&type=3
Way to bend the knee.Media: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.tenor.co%2Fm%2FfbWWeaUTKn0AAAAC%2Fweak-weakness.gif&h=AT2q9T3_H6G5p-J2YqYltHbmtZljWj421hRaNlr0wMvbD3an8ljI2huJ9PLsd-2OwAhO2abrZI0dhlv2rRdvqXDCaAm-4SO_d5z4rIKK69Mj3OMyqMyQjw5sOhsJ1jV7&s=1
John W. FoxMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=909715115126338&set=p.909715115126338&type=3
The SC show was cancelled. Guess it was a big deal and a big loss.People are starting to realize MAGA does not line up with their morals and beliefs.
James McGlade MAGA won the popular majority vote. You think a show being canceled in SC is a huge deal? The country and SC will move on. 😂
Luke Edmonds stay in rural Wisconsin… The rest of the country is done with yalls dumb shit
Luke Edmonds people are moving on from MAGA. You might as well get ready for the blue wave this fall. Republicans are having to make a choice, admit they were conned or support a racist pedophile.
Luke EdmondsMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10223765100035307&set=p.10223765100035307&type=3
James McGladeMedia: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.tenor.co%2Fm%2FVtnRrEet0zUAAAAC%2Fhyperventilating-bugging.gif&h=AT3vl4Us_oHE_UEWpXL0qri9pZEw78Gw5uWNZ_OIcyqsPpsqGM-abH4sSqr2ntiNyZ42SAAIrVTsNunTi0eUCvlMx9Oqm3PLqQE4NCNIXv7sHFDJir_6qhQFjwkrkoo9&s=1
Jason H Young looks like Trump making fun of a disabled person. I know you don’t care about other people, but decent people do care about others.
No big loss for shinedown, huge loss for that pedofest. They have their reasons and despite what people think it was not political related. That’s just narrow minded people making assumptions.
Ryan N Hipol pretty sure the pedos will be at the halftime show. I’m sure your boy bill Clinton will be glued to the screen
Ryan N Hipol no one is trying to listen to your gay band 😂😂😂
Tyson King first they aren’t gay, and two they are better then pedo kid rock.
Poser-assed woke losers.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3775663402741018&set=p.3775663402741018&type=3
Love Shinedown, can’t stand Kid Rock all good
thank you for your moral integrity ☮️❤️🙂
Eartha Lee like they showed when they played with 2 Live Crew?
Media: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia2.giphy.com%2Fmedia%2Fv1.Y2lkPTEyMGMwMTQ3MjE2aGl6dGd6YXpka2xnOGFxbHl1bXR4eGdzaDFucXVxczBsc2g2NyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n%2FRyNJmtTrBRtr9qj5Ju%2Fgiphy.gif&h=AT0Vuo4qovCH0NJVeFUCxw0YejT-2-GkbMvi4Z79se6_SQbLcLMn7haLhYRmhrjBQq8TQpsyx0rcqN-cSBUUIE3GhHEegof1FycQRn4QkQPN1O0fAiAopOdbwSwe8Piz&s=1
Sorry never heard of them and could never stand kid rock
Three other bands/ singers pulled out of the show too. They don’t want to get involved in this halftime show BS.
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10231330605676586&set=p.10231330605676586&type=3
sad that they backed out 🥹🥹
A bunch of loser punks.
Good career move.
Why did they back out?
Kinda sad, I think they would have enjoyed it 😔