There seem to be some changes in the Kid Rock-headlined Rock the Country festival. Many artists who were a part of the music event had dropped out. Some even cited political divisiveness as one of the reasons.A scheduled stop in North Carolina had to be cancelled due to artists dropping out. Rock band Shinedown was a part of this festival. However, they stepped away, citing that their purpose was to unite and not divide. Amidst all this, a representative told Fox News on February 9:“Rock The Country was created to unite people together through music. Our lineups and our crowds reflect that sentiment - a wide range of voices, backgrounds, and stories that make up this country. We’re truly disappointed we won’t be bringing the show to Anderson. Our fans work hard for their money, and we refuse to put on a show that doesn’t meet the standard they deserve.”The official went on to say:“Our focus remains where it’s always been: Supporting our artists, honoring our fans, and delivering unforgettable nights throughout the country. The shows ahead represent the heart of what Rock the Country stands for: music, community, and pride in where we come from. Loving America isn’t political; it’s who we are.”What is Kid Rock’s take on AI?In October 2025, Kid Rock sat down for a chat on the Core Memory Podcast. Host Ashlee Vance asked about the musician’s take on AI. He said that he relied heavily on AI, and Google was obsolete to him. He said it was becoming part of everyday life, helping him when he asked questions or tried to get things done.He explained that he also met privately with other artists and top music industry leaders to talk about AI because many people were worried about it. He said those discussions reminded him of how the music industry reacted during the Napster era. According to Kid Rock:“Number one, you're not going to stop AI. Number two, we kind of use AI every time we write a song. We're like, oh, let's write something like this Beatles thing, but with like, you know, more of a Tom Petty guitar, like, you know, you're kind of going through in your head. AI is just, it's a lot better at doing it for you.” View this post on Instagram Instagram PostKid Rock said AI was just another tool, and nobody could stop themselves from using it. However, he mentioned that it was more about using it in a better way. He added:“So, let's figure out how to use it, make life better. There's going to be some adjustments. Yeah, people are industries are going to, you know, lose some workers and stuff, but they'll come back in other spaces somewhere. It's always worked out throughout time.”According to Kid Rock, AI is learning faster than humans. He said that in the future, people might be able to make characters do what they want.Also Read: "What an embarrassment"- Kid Rock hit with backlash over alleged lip-syncing during TPUSA’s All-American halftime show