Ludacris, Carter Faith, and Morgan Wade have all officially dropped out of the Rock The Country festival. The event has been receiving backlash as of late for the way it's been advertised. This year, celebrating America's 250th anniversary is one of its major selling points.
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Ludacris' departure from the festival happened earlier this month, with his team claiming that it was a "mix-up" that he was ever on the bill to begin with. This followed reactions from concerned fans, many of whom were disappointed to hear that the rapper would be performing at Rock the Country. Ludacris' manager, Chaka Zulu, more recently confirmed the decision, saying, "We are not on that show."
Morgan Wade's name was also removed from the festival lineup following Ludacris' decision to leave. However, no explanation has been given. Representatives from her team did confirm to Rolling Stone that she has been removed from the lineup.
Carter Faith, whose name still appears on the bill, has recently come out and informed fans that, while she was previously, she's "not anymore!"
There are some names that still plan to perform at Rock the Country this year. Some of these include Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton, and Nelly.
Rock the Country Is for "The Communities That Don't Always Get the Spotlight"
The first Rock the Country festival took place in 2024. At the time, Jason Aldean and Kid Rock acted as both performers and faces of the festival and its mission. Rock the Country presented a unique idea to the touring space, choosing to stop at small-towns rather than big cities.
Shane Quick, one of the festival's organizers, spoke about the event's culture at a press release. "Rock The Country aims to bring the excitement and energy of a large-scale music festival to small towns across the country... providing an experience like never before [for] the communities that don't always get the spotlight."
Kid Rock touched on the event's vibe going into the new year, which aims to be more of "a movement."
"It's this simple," he shared in that same press release. "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."
