Metal Anarchy

Shinedown have dropped off Kid Rock’s Rock The Country Festival. The band made the decision after facing backlash for performing alongside right-wing artists like Rock, Jason Aldean, etc. amid political strife brought on by Donald Trump’s administration. Ironically, Shinedown’s cancellation comes shortly after drummer Barry Kerch called rapper Ludacris a “coward” for backing out of the event.

Shinedown issued the following statement:

“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.

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”