When the touring festival Rock The Country announced its inaugural lineup last month, it sure looked like the whole thing was positioned as a MAGA-friendly affair. The country-heavy bill is headlined by Kid Rock and Jason Aldean, two veteran acts who have pushed hard into right-wing territory in recent years, and it's full of fellow travelers. But since then, a number of acts have dropped off of the festival, and Rock The Country has canceled its stop in Anderson, South Carolina, one of eight "small towns" on its touring schedule. Today, festival organizers made a public statement about that stop.
Ludacris, Carter Faith, Morgan Wade, and Shinedown have all dropped off of the Rock The Country lineup in recent weeks. Shinedown and Creed were supposed to headline the Rock The Country stops in Anderson on July 25 and 26, and now both bands' names are off of the Rock The Country poster. On Instagram, festival organizers write, "Loving America isn't political; it's who we are," and they claim that the festival was "created to unite people together through music." Here's their full statement:
Rock The Country was reated to unite people together through music. Our lineups and our crowds reflect that sentiment — a wide range of voices, backgrounds, and stories that make up this country.
We're truly disappointed we won't be bringing the show to Anderson. Our fans work hard for their money, and we refuse to put on a show that doesn't meet the standard they deserve.
Our focus remains where it's always been: Supporting our artists, honoring our fans, and delivering unforgettable nights throughout the country. The shows ahead represent the heart of what Rock The Country stands for: Music, community, and pride in where we come from.
Loving America isn't political; it's who we are.
One artist who's still on the Rock The Country bill is Ella Langley, the fast-rising country singer who now has the #1 song in America.
