#rock-the-country

#rock-the-country

Rock band Shinedown is the latest act to pull out of Robert James Ritchie's MAGA-adjacent "Rock the Country" music 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," the band wrote on Instagram February 6. "And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us. We love and appreciate you always."

A representative for the Atlanta rapper told Rolling Stone that there was "a mix-up" about Luda's inclusion on the lineup. "Lines got crossed and he wasn't supposed to be on there," the rep claimed. Get Ludacris Tickets Here Upon the festival's announcement, Ludacris faced backlash from some critics over its perceived political leanings. The event was labeled by some as "MAGA-adjacent," with Ludacris lumped in alongside artists like Snoop Dogg and Kanye West, both of whom have had public associations with Donald Trump.

The lineup has been announced for the 2026 Rock the Country traveling festival tour, with Kid Rock, Creed, Jelly Roll, and Blake Shelton among the headlining acts playing various dates on the eight-city run. The festival will make two-day stops in Bellville, Texas (May 1-2); Bloomingdale, Georgia (May 29-30); Sioux Falls, South Dakota (June 27-28); Ashland, Kentucky (July 10-11, 2026); Anderson, South Carolina (July 25-26; Hastings, Michigan (August 8-9); Ocala, Florida (August 28-29); and Hamburg, NY (September 11-12).