Robert “Kid Rock” Ritchie’s anthemic and Detroit-driven rap-rock, elevated by a mix of lewd-and-crude, satire and redneck-centric ideology, continues to connect with stadiums of tens of thousands who sing along with a sense of empowerment: “I’ll quit cursin’, I’ll quit drinkin’, I’ll be a better person, but tonight I’m thinkin’/ Let’s get shitfaced, let’s get shitfaced/ Let’s get into trouble, let’s get outta this place.”
Recently, Rock debuted dates for his annual Chillin’ the Most Cruise, which happens April 12-16, 2018, on a Norwegian Jade cruise ship with a plethora of like-minded acts. The announcement comes on the heels of news his popular Third Annual Fish Fry will be Oct. 6-7 in the Nashville area. Along with lots of music from the host and other bands, the event also boasts fireworks, local food trucks, cold beer and plenty of fried fish.
“There’s no way anyone in the world is having more fun than I am,” Rock is fond of saying. “I truly believe that.”
When you’ve had the quantity and quality of success that Kid Rock has had – five Grammy nods, 25 million albums sold in the U.S. (and over 35 million worldwide) and the crown as Soundscan’s No. 1 selling male solo musician of the 2000s – it helps the fun come.
That success and his loyalty to the blue-collar audience – Kid Rock took a “pay cut” during his 2013 summer tour by negotiating a deal that allowed for $20 tickets – has also given Rock a pass of sorts for his more questionable ventures, like his misplaced support of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson and a recent Father’s Day T-shirt that states, “Fucks Given: 00.”
Ultimately the amount of talent remains in the ear of the beholder, but Rock’s proud and unapologetic ethos make those opinions less relevant.
After all, he told us he wasn’t in it for listeners’ approval anyway, with his “Fuck Off” lyric, “I rock for the cash and the topless dancers.”
KID ROCK (Amanda Watkins and A Thousand Horses open) 5pm Friday, July 17. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. $20-$75. carodeo.com/events/2017/kidrockconcert.
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