Robert James Ritchie's Rock the Country Stop Canceled After Shinedown Withdraws
The Anderson, South Carolina, July 25-26 Rock the Country stop was canceled after Shinedown pulled out, organizers said.
Overview
Robert James Ritchie, performing as Kid Rock, canceled the July 25-26 Rock the Country stop in Anderson, South Carolina, after the band Shinedown withdrew, organizers said.
Shinedown said in a Feb. 6 post on X that it "will not be playing the Rock the Country festival" because the band seeks to "unite, not divide," according to the group's statement.
Rusty Burns, Anderson County administrator, said the event previously drew tens of thousands of visitors and produced a multimillion-dollar economic impact and that county officials are planning other major events.
The Anderson lineup listed headliners Kid Rock and Jason Aldean and included acts such as Creed, Brantley Gilbert, Ludacris and Morgan Wade, and organizers said the tour is scheduled to visit Georgia, Texas, Florida and New York in 2026.
Organizers said the festival will continue at other scheduled 2026 dates, while critics and some artists cited concerns over political messaging and division in their decisions to withdraw.
Analysis
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Sources (3)
FAQ
Shinedown stated they will not play because they seek to 'unite, not divide.'
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