Rock the Country Festival Canceled in South Carolina After Artists Drop Out

Rock the Country, a multi-city country music festival founded by Kid Rock, has been canceled at its South Carolina stop after several artists withdrew from the lineup.

The festival was scheduled to take place July 25–26 in Anderson, South Carolina, as part of a broader tour planned across eight U.S. states between May 1 and September 21. Anderson County administrator Rusty Burns confirmed the cancellation to local media.

Burns said Anderson County was disappointed by the decision, noting that the festival had been held there for the past two years and had drawn tens of thousands of visitors, generating millions of dollars in economic impact. He added that the county is already planning other major events and remains committed to bringing high-quality arts and entertainment to the area.

Ticket holders for the Anderson dates have been offered two options: transfer their tickets to another Rock the Country location and receive a $50 on-site merchandise voucher, or request a full refund through a form sent by email.

The original Anderson lineup included Kid Rock and Jason Aldean as headliners, along with Creed, Shinedown, Brantley Gilbert, Ludacris, Gretchen Wilson, Parmalee, Morgan Wade, Chase Matthew, Lakeview, Fox N’ Vead, and others.

Trouble for the festival escalated after Shinedown announced Friday that it would no longer perform. In a statement shared on social media, the band said its goal is to bring people together through music, not divide them. Shinedown said it did not want to take part in an event it believed could contribute to further division, acknowledging that the decision might spark disagreement among fans.

Ludacris also dropped off the bill earlier. A representative for the rapper told Rolling Stone that his appearance was the result of a “mix-up” and that he was not intended to be part of the lineup. Country artists Morgan Wade and Carter Faith, along with Christian-inspired rock band Creed, were also removed from the lineup without public explanations.

Rock the Country has been promoted as “more than just a festival,” describing itself as a celebration of community, tradition, and American spirit. However, critics have labeled it a “MAGA fest” due to the political views of its founder and headliners.

Kid Rock has been outspoken in his support of Donald Trump, as has Aldean. Kid Rock is also scheduled to headline a right-wing organization’s All-American Halftime Show, created in protest of the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer.

Adding to the renewed scrutiny, lyrics from Kid Rock’s 2001 song “Cool, Daddy Cool” have resurfaced online ahead of his upcoming performances, drawing fresh criticism.

Despite the South Carolina cancellation, Rock the Country is still scheduled to continue at other locations later this year.