Shinedown Withdraws from Rock the Country Festival Amid Controversy
In a surprising turn of events, Shinedown has officially announced their withdrawal from the 2026 Rock the Country festival. This announcement comes shortly after the band’s drummer, Barry Kerch, made headlines by labeling rapper Ludacris a “coward” for his own exit from the festival.
Shinedown’s Official Statement
The band took to Instagram to explain their decision, emphasizing their commitment to unity through music. Their post read:
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.
Festival Lineup and Context
The Rock the Country festival is set to feature a diverse lineup of rock and country artists as it tours eight cities across the United States. Notable acts include Creed, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Danny Worsnop, alongside country stars like Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, and Brooks & Dunn.
Interestingly, the festival also incorporates a few hip-hop artists, including Nelly and Ludacris. Ludacris’s quick departure, just four days after the lineup was announced, has raised eyebrows. His representatives informed Rolling Stone that there was a “mix-up” regarding the booking, stating that “lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there.”
Barry Kerch’s Comments on the Situation
In a recent episode of The Vinyl Road podcast, Kerch addressed both Ludacris’s exit and Shinedown’s participation in the festival. He expressed his indifference towards Kid Rock’s involvement, stating:
“I don’t care. I’m just gonna go play a show. I really, really don’t care. You can keep your politics to yourself. I have no opinion one way or the other on Kid Rock. I love his music. This is about music. 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.”
Conclusion
Shinedown’s decision to withdraw from the Rock the Country festival underscores their commitment to unity and their desire to avoid contributing to division within the music community. As the festival approaches, fans and other artists will be watching closely to see how the situation evolves and what impact it may have on the festival’s overall atmosphere.
FAQs
Why did Shinedown pull out of the Rock the Country festival?
Shinedown withdrew to maintain their commitment to uniting audiences through music, expressing concerns that the festival could create division.
What did Barry Kerch say about Ludacris’ exit?
Barry Kerch called Ludacris a “coward” for dropping out of the festival, stating that he believes Ludacris should have been tough enough to stick it out.
Who else is performing at the Rock the Country festival?
The festival will feature a mix of rock and country artists, including Creed, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jason Aldean, and Blake Shelton, among others.
What is the festival’s format?
The Rock the Country festival will visit eight cities across the United States, showcasing a rotating lineup of performers from both rock and country genres.
