Shinedown Withdraws From Rock The Country Festival

In a move that’s sent ripples across the American music scene, rock band Shinedown announced on February 6, 2026, that they will no longer perform at the upcoming Rock the Country festival. The decision comes after a surge of backlash from fans who were unhappy with the band’s planned participation in the event, which critics have dubbed a “MAGA fest” due to its associations with vocal supporters of former President Donald Trump. Shinedown’s withdrawal has reignited debate about the intersection of music, politics, and public perception, while also shining a light on the festival’s broader controversies.

Shinedown, comprised of frontman Brent Smith, guitarist Zach Myers, bassist Eric Bass, and drummer Barry Kerch, had been scheduled to take the stage at the festival’s Anderson, South Carolina stop on July 25-26, 2026. Their name, however, has since vanished from the official lineup following the announcement. According to Billboard, other artists originally slated for the same weekend included Creed and Brantley Gilbert, but the focus quickly shifted to Shinedown’s exit after their public statement.

The band’s message, shared across their social media platforms, left little doubt about their intentions. “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,” the group declared. “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 acknowledged that this move “will create differences of opinion,” but stressed, “We do not want to participate in something we believe will create further division.” The band also took a moment to thank their fans, saying, “Thank you for supporting and believing in us. We love and appreciate you always.”

The departure didn’t happen in a vacuum. Shinedown is the latest in a growing list of artists to distance themselves from Rock the Country. Country singers Carter Faith and Morgan Wade were also quietly removed from the lineup, with Faith responding to a fan’s question about her participation by simply stating, “I’m not anymore!” Rapper Ludacris, who appeared on an early festival poster, was similarly removed after his representatives told Rolling Stone there had been a “mix-up” and that “lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there.”

Drummer Barry Kerch’s earlier comments, made on “The Vinyl Road” podcast, add a layer of complexity to the band’s decision. Kerch had previously criticized Ludacris for backing out, stating, “If he’s not tough enough to stick it out, that’s just silly. That’s him being a coward, in my opinion.” Yet, Kerch also emphasized that Shinedown operates as a democracy: “There’s four of us to vote. My vote would be no, but if three of the other guys vote against it, then, again, it’s a democracy. I can’t change their vote.” He maintained that the band tries to keep politics out of their music, saying, “I don’t do politics when it comes to the business of Shinedown. I have my own beliefs. I keep those to myself, and so do the other three guys. I just wanna go play a rock show with some country bands ‘cause it looks like fun.”

Rock the Country, co-founded by Kid Rock in 2024, bills itself as “more than just a festival” and promises a celebration of “community, tradition, and the spirit that’s carried America through 250 years.” The festival is set to visit seven (or possibly eight, depending on the source) cities across the United States, including Ashland, Kentucky; Ocala, Florida; and Hastings, Michigan, with the tour launching May 1-2, 2026, in Belleville, Texas. The lineup features a mix of country and rock heavyweights: Jelly Roll, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Ella Langley, Jon Pardi, Brantley Gilbert, Hank Williams Jr., Creed, Staind, Gretchen Wilson, and more. R&B singer Nelly and country star Miranda Lambert are also scheduled to appear at select locations, according to The Independent.

Despite the festival’s claims of unity and tradition, its political undertones have been hard to ignore. Performers Jason Aldean and Kid Rock have both been outspoken supporters of Donald Trump. Kid Rock and Brantley Gilbert are also slated to perform at Turning Point USA’s “All-American” alternative halftime show, which will air opposite the NFL’s official Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Bad Bunny. While the festival’s organizers have not made explicit political statements, the lineup and affiliations have led critics and some fans to view the event as catering to a specific political crowd—hence the “MAGA fest” label that’s been tossed around online and in the press.

The backlash against Shinedown’s initial participation was swift and vocal. Fans took to social media to express disappointment, with some accusing the band of aligning themselves with a political movement at odds with their stated values of inclusivity and unity. The band’s statement, emphasizing their desire to avoid division and serve as a unifying force, appears to be a direct response to this criticism.

Interestingly, the controversy surrounding Rock the Country has not been limited to the artists. The festival’s website touts it as a gathering for all, but the lineup changes and public disputes have painted a picture of an event struggling to balance its musical ambitions with the political realities of the current cultural climate. As Billboard and The Independent report, the festival’s branding as a celebration of Americana has been both its selling point and its stumbling block.

With Shinedown’s exit, questions linger about the festival’s future and whether more artists will follow suit. The Anderson, South Carolina show, once a highlight on the tour, is no longer advertised on the Rock the Country website. Organizers have not issued a statement regarding the status of the South Carolina dates or the ongoing lineup changes.

For Shinedown, the choice seems to have been about staying true to their mission. Their statement, echoed across multiple media outlets, leaves no room for ambiguity: the band wants to bring people together, not push them apart. While their decision has sparked debate and, inevitably, some disappointment, it also highlights the increasingly fraught relationship between entertainment and politics in America’s public spaces.

As the Rock the Country festival prepares to launch in May, its evolving lineup and the public conversations surrounding it serve as a vivid reminder of the power—and the pitfalls—of music as both a cultural force and a political flashpoint.