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Anderson Today
By the People, for the People
Shinedown Pulls Out of Kid Rock's 'Rock The Country' Festival
Frontman Brent Smith cites 'infighting' and 'further division' as reasons for the band's withdrawal
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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Brent Smith, the frontman of the rock band Shinedown, has spoken about the group's decision to drop out of the Kid Rock-launched music festival Rock The Country. Smith cited 'infighting' and 'further division' as the reasons behind Shinedown's withdrawal from the event, which was intended to unite fans through a blend of country music and patriotic spirit.
Why it matters
The Rock The Country festival has been labeled a 'MAGA fest' due to its association with the Make America Great Again movement popularized by former President Donald Trump. Shinedown's decision to pull out highlights the growing political tensions surrounding the event and the band's desire to avoid contributing to further division.
The details
Shinedown was initially set to perform at the Rock The Country festival in Anderson, South Carolina, alongside other acts like Creed, Ludacris, and Brantley Gilbert. However, the band announced its departure from the festival, expressing concerns about 'further division'. Brent Smith elaborated, saying the band 'saw infighting that we had never seen before' and felt it was their 'job to diffuse it'.
- The Rock The Country festival was launched by Kid Rock in 2024.
- The leg of the festival scheduled to take place in Anderson, South Carolina, in July was cancelled.
The players
Shinedown
A US rock band led by frontman Brent Smith.
Kid Rock
An American singer and the founder of the Rock The Country music festival.
Brent Smith
The frontman of the rock band Shinedown.
Barry Kerch
The drummer for the rock band Shinedown.
What they’re saying
“We saw infighting that we had never seen before, and for us, it was our job to diffuse it. I just want to remind everybody, it says the 'United States of America' — united. And a lot of people right now don't feel united.”
— Brent Smith, Frontman, Shinedown (Rolling Stone)
“You're entitled to your opinion 1,000 percent in this country, and that's one of the beautiful things about it.”
— Brent Smith, Frontman, Shinedown (Rolling Stone)
“I had no idea, I thought it was a cool lineup, and then I found out it had some political leaning to it.”
— Barry Kerch, Drummer, Shinedown (The Vinyl Road podcast)
What’s next
The organizers of the Rock The Country festival have stated that the event remains focused on 'music, community, and pride in where we come from', and they are committed to providing 'unforgettable nights' for their fans across the United States.
The takeaway
Shinedown's withdrawal from the Rock The Country festival highlights the growing political tensions surrounding the event and the band's desire to avoid contributing to further division. The incident underscores the challenges of organizing events that aim to unite people in a polarized political climate.
