Additional Coverage:
- Riley Green breaks silence after backlash for agreeing to perform in Kid Rock’s MAGA festival (irishstar.com)
Country music artist Riley Green has spoken out for the first time following criticism over his decision to headline Kid Rock’s upcoming music festival.
Green is set to perform at Rock the Country, a touring festival founded by Kid Rock, scheduled for July 10-11 in Ashland, Kentucky. The festival will make stops in several small towns across the country.
The event is intended to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of independence but has drawn controversy and been labeled a “MAGA festival” by some, due to Kid Rock’s outspoken support for former President Donald Trump. Notably, Kid Rock himself was excluded from Trump’s Freedom 250 Great American State Fair, an event that has faced its own share of debate.
In a recent interview with Billboard, 37-year-old Riley Green addressed his participation in the festival. He stated, “The simplest way I can put it is if somebody calls me and wants me to come play a festival, and financially it makes sense, then I’m probably going to go do it. I don’t ask a lot of questions beyond that.”
He added, “Rock the Country sounds like a fun festival. I don’t see any benefit in me making anything political.
I think people go to concerts to escape their everyday problems and enjoy country music. My job is to entertain them.”
Alongside Riley Green, the festival lineup includes country and rock artists such as Jelly Roll, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brantley Gilbert, and Gavin Adcock. However, the event has faced significant artist withdrawals.
Both Shinedown and Ludacris canceled their scheduled performances at the South Carolina stop, which led to Kid Rock canceling that portion of the festival entirely. Morgan Wade and Carter Faith also reportedly withdrew.
Shinedown issued a statement explaining their decision, emphasizing their desire to unite fans through music and avoid involvement in politically charged events. The band said, “SHINEDOWN is everyone’s band.
We feel that we have been given a platform to bring all people together through the power of music and song. We have one BOSS, and it is everyone in the audience.
Our band’s purpose is to unite, not divide. With that in mind, we have made the decision that we will not be playing the Rock the Country Festival.”
They continued, “We know this decision will create differences of opinion. But we do not want to participate in something we believe will create further division.
And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us. We love and appreciate you always.
All love and respect, SHINEDOWN.”
Ludacris’s camp also confirmed the rapper’s withdrawal, noting that his initial inclusion was a misunderstanding. A representative told TMZ, “Lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there.”
As the festival approaches, Riley Green remains committed to performing, amid a backdrop of ongoing debate over the event’s political associations.