Multiple bands have recently withdrawn from the Rock the Country festival, primarily due to controversy surrounding its headliner Kid Rock and its perceived political affiliations.

This touring music festival, co-created by Kid Rock, features country and rock acts across small-town U.S. stops to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. However, social media backlash has labeled it a "MAGA fest" because of pro- Trump stances from headliners like Kid Rock and Jason Aldean.

Bands That Dropped Out

Several artists have pulled out, starting in late January 2026 and escalating into February:

  • Ludacris : Removed from the lineup without a statement; his name vanished from the festival site.
  • Morgan Wade : Quietly canceled her appearance amid the growing uproar.
  • Carter Faith : Followed suit, with her booking scrubbed shortly after.
  • Shinedown : The latest to exit on February 6, 2026, explicitly citing a desire to "unite, not divide." The band's social media post noted fan backlash and their reluctance to fuel national divisions; this led to the full cancellation of the Anderson, South Carolina, stop on July 25-26.

Reasons Behind the Exits

The core issue stems from Kid Rock's outspoken political views and the festival's lineup blending rock/country stars with Trump supporters.

  • Fan Backlash : Shinedown faced heavy online criticism, with fans assuming affiliation with MAGA politics; drummer Barry Kerch later defended the initial booking but noted the "knives come out online."
  • Division Concerns : Shinedown's statement emphasized music's role in unity: "Our purpose is to unite, not divide... we do not want to be part of something we believe will create further division."
  • Quiet Withdrawals : Earlier dropouts like Ludacris avoided public comments, but timing aligned with the "MAGA fest" label spreading on social media and forums.

"Shinedown's band... Our purpose is to unite, not divide." – Excerpt from Shinedown's February 6 social media statement

Trending Forum Chatter

Reddit threads and music forums buzz with debate as of early February 2026:

  • Users link dropouts to Kid Rock's controversy, with some mocking the irony of rock acts fleeing a "rock" event.
  • Discussions highlight broader tensions in music scenes, where political optics influence bookings—e.g., country/rock audiences splitting along lines.
  • Speculation runs high: Could more acts follow, or will the festival pivot? One thread notes the South Carolina cancellation as a "lineup collapse."

This saga unfolded rapidly: Ludacris/Wade/Faith exited by January 26, Shinedown on February 6, and Anderson scrapped by February 7. Other dates persist with headliners like Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Brooks & Dunn.

TL;DR : Bands are bailing on Rock the Country over Kid Rock's politics and fan backlash portraying it as a pro-Trump rally, culminating in Shinedown's vocal exit and a canceled show.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.