Rock the Country has been happening since 2024, but this year's festival seems to be causing more controversy than most. Already, several artists on the lineup, including Ludacris, Morgan Wade, and Carter Faith have backed out of the event, which is scheduled to run from May through September 2026.
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The reason? In 2024, the festival was marketed as a "Kid Rock and Jason Aldean Tour", and both of them who are known to be supporters of Donald Trump. But what's more, is that this year, Rock the Country aims to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. This "250th anniversary" tagline has been used in much of the festival's promotional material. Some fans think that it means the festival might be about more than just the music this year.
Kid Rock himself even described the event as "a movement", and not just a festival. "It's this simple," he shared. "Rock The Country isn't just a music festival; it's a movement. In 2026, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, this is a place for hard-working, God-fearing patriots to gather as one and celebrate freedom, music, and the party of the year."
Currently, other artists on the bill include Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Creed, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, and Ella Langley.
Ludacris Rep Calls His Being on the Lineup "A Mix Up"
So far, the festival has been causing a lot of controversy for artists like Jelly Roll and Ludacris, whose fans have been expressing disappointment, according to People. Rapper Nelly, who performed at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in 2025, remains on the lineup for this year. He was also present for the 2024 Rock the Country festival.
At his inauguration performance, he touched on his own personal beliefs. "I was born in a military base in Austin. My father served, my grandfather served, my uncle served, my auntie served. I've been entertaining the troops all over this world."
He continued, "If these people can give their life for the office, Nelly can perform for it.... I love this country as well. It is an honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office."
Ludacris, however, doesn't want anything to do with the festival, agenda or no agenda. Following his name's appearance on the lineup, Ludacris received several DMs from fans who were concerned about him performing at a "MAGA" festival.
A rep of Ludacris' was quick to respond in a Rolling Stone article, calling the whole thing "a mix up." "Lines got crossed," the rep shared, "and he wasn't supposed to be on there."
