Kid Rock Is Definitely a Headliner
When I spoke with Kid Rock earlier this year, he told me he once asked his publicist why people kept quoting all the "horse****" he said. His publicist told him the reason was because he spoke in headlines. I suppose the publicist was right.
Seems like most everything Kid Rock says and does is a headline -- "Kid Rock Marries Pamela Anderson," "Kid Rock Arrested at Waffle House," "Kid Rock Establishes Scholarship Fund." ... Wait, that last one ... really? Yes. He's the not-so-bad bad-boy we all love to follow. But most importantly, he's the Kid we all love to hear and listen to, especially with Rock n Roll Jesus. First it was "All Summer Long" that we played loudly and sang along to in the car. (You know you did.) Oh, and the video made us wish we had a boat. "Amen" made us stop and think. And, most recently, "Roll On" helped us to put those thoughts into perspective.
Kid Rock is a musical force to be reckoned with and one I've personally enjoyed following. But he's not just a headliner because we all want to see what he's going to do next. He's a headliner because we truly enjoy his music and following his career. So, continue to rock on ... I mean, roll on, Kid Rock, roll on.
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Ms. Feathers says:
There is not a single thing that Kid Rock does/sings/etc that I have an interest in. He’s one of my “Quick! change the station!” artists.
RedMaZ says:
“Quick! change the station!”? So that means you still listen to commercial radio? Actually for a Pop(country) Music singer he’s better than most.
Cricket on Froggy 104 says:
Kid Rock is successful because he does what he wants to do and then markets each song to the audience who will appreciate it most. He’s done rap metal (and sent it rock outlets), country (and sent it to CMT), and pop, and he’s raking in the $$$ like nobody’s business. That’s one smart redneck from the Midwest.
RedMaZ says:
Everything he’s done is Pop music. His Rap/Rock/Country has all been Pop. that’s why he raking in the money.
Cricket on Froggy 104 says:
I’ll agree with that point. POPular music, by definition, sells. I know you’re going to argue that I don’t understand the definition of pop music. To me, it’s like pop culture. In a very BROAD sense, it’s whatever is in vogue, regardless of substance. Having the brains and creativity to create music that appeals to a broad audience is nothing to sneeze at, and that’s why Kid Rock is rich.
Shotgun says:
Does anyone know who wrote the song “All Summer Long?”
It’s another one of those new “country” songs that is treacherous, in that it combines a feeling of “good ol’ nostalgia” with doing drugs and having premarital sex. (In the 50’s, the rebellious thing was smoking behind the high-school gym…quite the contrast I’d say.)
Packaging a non-country song in country garb, may make a little money, but it doesn’t fool anyone.
Does this song really represent the majority of country folks? If not, then why is Kid Rock finding an expressive outlet for it in country music? Me thinks it has something to do with the agenda of the industry.
Cricket on Froggy 104 says:
I was a little put off by the marketing of “All Summer Long” to country audiences when it’s just a combination of two classic rock songs. Country fans, however, are normal people, and they grew up listening to a variety of music, which influenced their taste. Kid Rock catered to that taste when his people sent that song to CMT and to country radio. It is important to note, though, that his people (the music industry) sent that song to virtually every media outlet in the free world. It was inescapable. It’s playing right now, and I want to poke myself in the eye. But that’s just me.
RedMaZ says:
It fools the Pop Culture masses, and that is it’s intent. The lyrics are by Ritchie(and not Lionel), but song credits are also given to Skynyrd and Zevon. It doesn’t have to represent the majority of “country folk”. It has a catchy familiar melody that people can jam/dance to. Presto! Pop music success!
Kim says:
So Red, answer yes or no (only!): can an artist have a broad appeal and compete with the sales of a pop artist, without losing their roots standing?
Kevin says:
Sure.. Pop Roots.
Shotgun says:
That will be a difficult question to answer Kim.
To state anything definitively one way or the other Red will be admitting that there is something beyond blatant “pleasure” inherent in music.
We’d have to discuss the relationship between man, and the expression of himself in the public realm.
This is undesirable for many people, who wish to maintain the illusion that music is somehow a “neutral” venue.
In the end, all music has a message. The question is, can this message be accepted in a society that reflects values that are hostile to it?
Thanks RedMaz, for your previous statement…not only did you answer my factual question, you provided me with a useful line of thought.
RedMaZ says:
Yes or no only? Too many factors involved with that loaded question. Depends on the artists, what generation of music, broad appeal to whom, what Pop artist, and what the induviduals definition of roots is. My first reaction would be no, but I have no idea. Like i said, too many factors involved. I know there have been a few Roots artists who have gone Pop, and have lost the respect of their Roots fans.
Cricket at that one place says:
One word answers, please. I thought we learned to follow directions back in kindergarten.
RedMaZ says:
That’s why they promoted me to the third grade from kindergarten.
Kim says:
and people, you really have to take what CMT thinks is “country music” with a grain of salt. if you look at the bottom left hand of this page you will notice the MTV networks logo.
the blogroll on the side of the page is worth cruising. some of those are a lot better with subjects and values people here seem to be talking about.
In defense of Kid: I have never once heard this song on my country stations, its always on the rock stations. I’ll bet that has something to do with living in N TX, but I didn’t know until reading it on Nashville/pop country outlets that he has supposedly “gone country.” No one I talk to thinks so. The school of thought we came up with is that country ‘claimed’ him because it has crossover appeal, and would sell. Where has Kid said he was a country artist? I think Kid is a half-way smart person (if only when it comes to his music). He is a self-made rock star, and if he was really trying to sell in the country market, he would have have the sense to come up with a more country album title (and song) than ‘rock and roll jesus.’ he’s a rock star to the bone. this album strikes me as a way for Kid as rock artist to stretch himself and the limits and in doing so stepped into country territory. He has always been committed to good, no-industry crap rock music (good meaning a rock music standard of good, not morally good). I don’t think he means country values any harm. how much of the crossing over is Kid’s doing, and how much is the industry looking for a quick cash cow?
Kim says:
basically I’m saying what are Kid’s intentions, and what are the marketers and industries’ intentions? I think kid’s was to make a good music (I like it anyway) and the industries make it into commercial profit anywhere they could. I don’t think badly of Kid Rock for his latest album, wherever y’all are hearing it.
Shotgun says:
Fair questions Kim
Kim says:
My CX debate instructor would be pleased. that was not a bad piece of cross examination if i do say so myself.
RedMaZ says:
I agree. A good debate by all (well almost all). Personally this is what I like to see. Mutual respect should be earned not expected.
Kim says:
Point if forgot to make about “all summer long”: sweet home alabama (which is mentioned and the tune is featured in ‘all summer long’) is a rock song by the definition of the time period it was made in and the artists who made it. So for a guy calling himself kid ROCK, writing a song that works off another ROCK song, where does COUNTRY music get the idea that the aforementioned song is intended for country?
Kim says:
Thanks Red. This is a fun blog isn’t it?
RedMaZ says:
Yes. It turned out very good for a change. A lively debate, and many points well taken into consideration.
Ms. Feathers says:
Yes, Red, I do still listen to commercial radio. And I usually change stations for commercials too - especially in the car where I have this cute little button on the steering wheel that goes to my next pre-set whenever I push it.
I don’t LOVE commercial radio, but it’s FREE. And I don’t listen to it all day or even every day. I get very upset with local country stations who play the same dreck over and over and won’t play new singles until they’re practically in the top 10 (but some stations somewhere MUST be playing those songs in order for them to GET to the top 10, but it’s not MY stations!). I hate the whole conglomerate thing where the industry bosses rely on focus groups and surveys to determine their playlists - instead of taking requests. At least, for Country radio.
When I get fed up w/ country radio, I flip to the “greatest hits of the 80s, 90s and today” - at lest I’m likely to hear more stuff I like and am familiar with. If I really wanted something different, I’d go looking for it, but exploring the vast riches of musical accomplishment is just not a priority at this time in my life.
And I still can’t stand Kid Rock - his personal style or his music.
texasgirl2 says:
I think Kid is a great artist and many of his fans are music lovers in general….rock, pop, country, soul, whatever…. I think music is so exhilarating no matter what kind it is. It just feeds the soul. I appreciate the style he puts into his music and he doesn’t get stuck on the same old stuff. He seems to continue to challenge himself and be full of surprises. I think that’s a great quality in any artist.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach
rebel yell says:
KID ROCK you MAKE me PROUD!
CJ says:
I do not think any of the rock stars becoming country is a good idea. Not long ago they use to make fun of country music and the country stars. Now all of a sudden they all want to be country. I wish we would get back to our country music we loved and grew up with. If they want to come over to country they need to sing country songs. We should not have to adapt for them….
Kim says:
Kid never did. I don’t blame you for feeling that way CJ, but Kid’s exempt from that one. One, I don’t think he intentionally crossed over, and two he never talks badly about any good music from any genre. He’s still a rock star to me. He just found some crossover fans in country music because he has a little 38 special feel to his latest album.
Kim says:
38 Special! I meant lynard skynard!! I do know who did sweet home alabama, i’m not that dumb!
sunkie says:
Love the song and I am slowly becoming a fan of Kid Rock. Now as I ponder where he fits in the music industry: pop, metal, country or somewhere else in between, it strikes me as the man is simply doing what he wants. I remember Willie when he first started out and where he is today. He beats to his own drum, one I love, along with Kid Rock. This is America, let us Rock n Roll or Country n Roll but whatever, let us continue to roll……..
Kim says:
Need more of ‘em. that’s for dang sure, whatever you call the genre
Ms. Feathers says:
Rockers want to be in country because there’s no where else for them to go if they want to keep making money with their music. And older artists who actually have some wisdom from life to share via their music are not respected in today’s Pop Circles because - *horrors!* - they’re OLD!
Speaking in generalities, of course.
Kim says:
I think the whole argument here is that Kid Rock doesn’t fit in that generality. At least not in my opinion or arguments. He rocks. Country seems to have claimed him.
I think real music fans themselves don’t seem to care about age. thats why people like Fleetwood mac, Stevie Nicks and lindsey buckingham (solo from FM of course) def leppard (see the blog about Taylor s. for more on them) Bob Seger (love him!) GNR (Carrie Underwood: please pleease stop butchering “Sweet child of mine”) and others are still making music today and blowing the newbe wannabes out of the water w/o genre crossover help. It is happening as much as industries don’t want to admit it. Think about it; why is the retro rock music trend so popular? because plain and simple: the new stuff sucks and the old stuff is good. People want good music, and find it in the last generation. and at the same time are proving that ageism is not a factor in music selection, except at the lowest levels of pop followers. Good music is not a myth, or an accident. I am 19, and I my personal standard of a female (rock) music icon is Stevie Nicks. I love her music and have much respect for her career because she broke down a lot of walls musically, and socially. Some people think that Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are right now (or more reasonable people say going to be) icons. *trying not to hurl on the keyboard* wonder where they would be if not of ladies like Stevie or Dolly, loretta, ect. Nowhere. And the way they act, the wouldn’t have the guts or will to do what they did. That’s what an icon is. Someone who breaks down doors when they have to. I haven’t found many artists today that strike me as that willing. and I think that’s the bigger reason behind retro artists staying around; they are motivated by something other than fame or money. the new generation seems to lack spirit in a lot of ways. I don’t know how much sense that made, but I don’t know how else to say it.
i think that’s the a real indication of how bad things have gotten; that we anoint “icons” when they barley have their feet wet in the industry and have no way of knowing if they have staying power, much less prolonged musical talent or impact on people.
I think the “old” artists being able to stay around is great. My generation can only hope to have artists like that, the way its looking. The ones they are pointing to now to be Stevie and her peers’ replacements can’t hold a proverbial candle to them.
vivian upward says:
I am a fan of CMT and also Kid is my favorite artist. He will tell anyone he isn”t country all the way. He loves country, rock and soul. Lance ask him if he thought he would ever write a country song. He said yes, but he couldn”t say when. This album just has the songs that some fit country. CMT main board picked three artist who would be ask to entertain and Kix Brooks said Kid Rock, Eagles and Bon Jovi. I think they made a wise choice. Kid colaberated with Lynards boys and paid for the rights to the part of the song he used. He also had lawyers looking over his shoulder to be sure everyone was included. Be glad we have someone like him that puts a little spice in shows. There are people that are regulars on country who don”t sound country to me.I have saw about every country star in concert, plus Kid Rock and I believe he puts on one of the best there is. I also enjoyed many of the country shows, but some I don”t know how they get a show schedule. Now we wait to see what country does with Roll On. So far we have voted our fingers off, and as yet we have not seen it. Time will tell.
country fan says:
Ok, I saw the Roll On video weeks ago and finally its getting some recognition, I think this video is more down to earth and directed more towards remembering where he came from and the people who helped get Kid Rock to were he is today. check it out and leave your comment.