Kid Rock

Kid Rock

Robert James "Bob" Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations. Kid Rock released several studio albums that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record Devil Without a Cause, released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba", "Cowboy", and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released The History of Rock which was a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from his previous albums as well as the hit single, "American Bad Ass" and "F**k That".

Kid Rock released the follow up in 2001, Cocky. After a slow start, his country-flavored hit "Picture" with Sheryl Crow resurrected the album and it went gold as a single and pushed the album's sales to more than 5 million. It was followed by 2003's self-titled release, which failed to chart a major hit. In 2006 he released Live Trucker, a live album.

In 2007 Kid Rock released Rock n Roll Jesus, which produced a hit in "All Summer Long". It was his first worldwide smash hit, charting #1 in eight countries across Europe and Australia. Rock N Roll Jesus would go on to sell 5 million albums worldwide including being certified triple platinum in the US. He released Born Free on November 16, 2010.

Early life

Robert Ritchie was born on January 17, 1971 in Sterling Heights, Michigan to William "Bill" Ritchie, a car dealer who owned several local dealerships, and Susan Ritchie. His family also owned a six-acre orchard and Ritchie regularly helped pick apples and cared for the family's horses. He has three siblings: two are older, brother William "Billy" Ritchie and sister Carol Ritchie; and one is younger, sister Jill Ritchie who is an actress. Ritchie found small-town life to be dull; he became interested in rap music, learning how to breakdance and participating in talent shows in the Detroit area. At age eleven he joined a breakdance crew called the Furious Funkers, teaching himself how to work a cheap belt-driven turntable. In high school, Ritchie DJed at parties for beer. He eventually joined Bo Wisdom of Groove Time Productions, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to perform basement parties for thirty dollars a night. It was then that he was given his stage name; club goers dubbed him "Kid Rock" after they had enjoyed watching "that white kid rock."

Rock started rapping and joined a local hip hop group, The Beast Crew. They were composed of The Blackman, Champtown, KDC, Chris "Doc Roun-Cee" Pouncy. Rock became friends with producer D-Nice of the legendary hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions. When Rock opened for BDP one night, D-Nice invited an A&R representative from Jive Records to see him perform. This meeting led to a demo deal, which developed into a full record contract.

Against his parents' wishes, Rock signed the deal at the age of seventeen. Despite his new record deal, he had a falling out with The Beast Crew when he signed over fellow member Champtown (the two have become friends again since). They left his vocals on the tracks of their debut underground album "Chapter 1: He Don't Want Us No More," against his wishes. Rock later became part of the Straight From The Underground Tour, where he found himself alongside several heavyweights of rap including Ice Cube, Too Short, D-Nice, Mac Dre, and Yo-Yo.

Career

Debut album to signing with Atlantic Records (1991–1997)

On November 11, 1990 Kid Rock released his debut album Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast. Jive Records ended up not pushing the album. However the album still gained infamy when the radio station WSNY of Cortland, NY was fined $23,700 by the FCC for playing the song "Yo-Da-Lin In the Valley". At the time it was the largest fine ever placed on a radio station. Jive Records released Kid Rock from his contract in 1991. Once back in Detroit he would become friends with Uncle Kracker after battling his brother in a freestyle rapping competition. He would eventually become Kid Rock's DJ until he went solo full time in 2000.

In late 1991 Kid Rock was picked up by an independent record label called Continuum Records, which released his second album The Polyfuze Method in March 1993. The album was more rock oriented with Rock teaching himself how to play several different instruments including guitar, drums, keyboard and organ. The album saw some local college radio success at Central Michigan University with the tracks "Back From The Dead" and "Balls In Your Mouth". He would release "U Don't Know Me" as the first official single off the album, but it failed to chart, and the music video received little airplay on any major music video channels. Kid Rock re-released "Back From The Dead" as a single to mainstream radio, but that too failed as a single. The album has sold around 15,000 copies. In 1992 Kid Rock appeared in the song "Is That You?" of the Carnival of Carnage by the Insane Clown Posse.

He released an EP called Fire It Up later in 1993. The EP featured the song "I Am the Bullgod", which wouldn't be a hit until six years later. Continuum didn't see a future with Kid Rock after this and released him from his contract in 1994.

He moved back to Detroit where his on-again/off-again relationship with Kelly South resulted in the birth of his son, Robert James Ritchie, Jr. Kid Rock would release monthly demo tapes dubbed The Bootleg Series, which featured demos of him and other up-and-coming rappers and garage rock bands in the Detroit area. Around the same time, Kid Rock formed his back-up band Twisted Brown Trucker, later recruiting Joe C., who he met at a 1994 concert, as part of the group. In 1995, Rock took a job as a janitor at Whiterooms Studios in order to pay studio fees. When he wasn't working, Kid Rock recorded the material that would eventually make up his fourth album, Early Morning Stoned Pimp (which Rock released on his own label, Top Dog Records). During the recording process he met piano player Jimmie Bones, who joined the band soon after. The album was released January 9, 1996. A loan from his father aided the release. Kid Rock sold 6,000 copies out of the trunk of his car, including after his concerts. With EMSP local success he would re-release The Polyfuze Method as The Polyfuze Method Revisted in 1997 with "I Am The Bullgod", "Rollin On The Island" and "Rain Check" as additional tracks in March 1997.

Lava/Atlantic Records A&R man Andy Karp was interested, after seeing Kid Rock in Cleveland in December 1996, and again in March 1997. Following a two song demo tape containing "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "I Got One For Ya", Jason Flom supported Karp in signing Kid Rock for $100,000. However when recording sessions began, Atlantic wanted more of a rock sound and didn't initially like "Cowboy", "Devil Without A Cause" and "Only God Knows Why". They asked Rock to take out "I'm going platinum" on Devil Without A Cause's chorus, but he refused. The conflict slowed down production, however the album was completed on schedule with Rock mostly playing all the instruments himself.

Devil Without a Cause (1997–2002)

In 1997, Kid Rock added drummer/vocalist Stefanie Eulinberg to his band, joining Kenny Olson, Jason Krause, Jimmie Bones, Uncle Kracker, Misty Love, Shirley Hayden and Joe C.. On August 18, 1998, Atlantic released Devil Without a Cause behind the single "Welcome 2 The Party." Kid Rock went on the Vans Warped Tour to support the album, performing one of his first New York City shows at Luna Lounge on the Lower East Side during the CMJ convention. "Devil Without Cause Im Goin Platinum" Sales of "Welcome 2 The Party" and Devil were slow, though the 1998 Warped Tour in Northampton, Massachusetts stimulated regional interest in Massachusetts and New England. This led to substantial airplay in the summer and fall of 1998 on rock staples in Massachusetts WZLX and WAAF for the single "I Am The Bullgod." In December 1998, while dj'ing at a club he met and became friends with MTV host Carson Daly. He performed on MTV Fashionably Loud in Miami, then on MTV's Wanna B A VJ doing "My Name Is Rock" and was the DJ for TRL on the Spring Break Special as well as a judge on Say What Karaoke. This raised his profile so by April 1999 Devil Without a Cause had achieved a gold disc. In May 1999 the single "Bawitdaba" off the album was released to radio outlets, and by June, Devil had gone platinum. Kid Rock went on the Limptropolis Tour with fellow nu metal acts Limp Bizkit and Staind in the same month, his first major tour. By the time he made his career defining performance at Woodstock 1999 on July 24, 1999, he was double platinum. The following single "Cowboy" was an even bigger hit. It was a mix of southern rock, country and rap that made the Top 40. Rock's next single, the rock ballad "Only God Knows Why", would be the biggest hit off the album charting at No 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. By the time the final single "Wasting Time" was released the album had sold 7 million albums, Devil Without A Cause was certified 11 times platinum by the RIAA on April 17, 2003.

Rock was nominated as Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Awards, losing to Christina Aguilera. He was nominated for "Bawitdaba" for Best Hard Rock Performance, losing to Metallica's "Whiskey in the Jar."

After reacquiring the rights to his early material in 2000, Rock released The History of Rock, a collection of remixed and re-recorded songs from The Polyfuze Method and Early Mornin Stoned Pimp. "American Bad Ass", one of two new tracks, was released as a single. It sampled the Metallica track "Sad But True".

On May 27 Kid Rock appeared on Saturday Night Live performing "American Bad Ass" and an acoustic version of "Only God Knows Why" that featured Phish's Trey Anastasio. Kid Rock would join Phish later in the year in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a set of cover songs.

From June 30 to August 22, 2000, Rock joined the Summer Sanitarium Tour with Metallica, Korn, Powerman 5000, and System of a Down. Kid Rock filled in for James Hetfield of Metallica, singing vocals on the songs "Enter Sandman", "Sad But True", and "Nothing Else Matters" and the turntables for "Fuel", for three shows after Hetfield injured his spine riding a jet ski on Lake Lanier the day before the July 7 Atlanta concert.

On November 16, 2000 Joseph "Joe C" Calleja died in his sleep from Coeliac disease in Taylor, MI. The disease stunted his growth and forced him to take 60 pills a day. Joe C's final song was "Cool Daddy Cool" for the Osmosis Jones soundtrack. The band made a cameo in the movie as the band playing in the club scene. Kid Rock was referred to as Kidney Rock to go along with the cartoon aspect of being a cell in the body of Frank played by Bill Murray.

In early 2001, Rock inducted Aerosmith into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed "Sweet Emotion" at the induction ceremony. The same year, Rock landed his first acting role in the David Spade white trash comedy Joe Dirt. His character was Robbie a redneck bully to Joe Dirt who was chasing after Joe's unaware love interest Brandy.

"American Bad Ass" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 2001s Grammy Awards. Losing out to Rage Against The Machine's "Guerilla Radio". The History of Rock would go on to be certified double platinum.

In November, Kid Rock released Cocky, which was marketed as the official follow up to Devil Without a Cause. With the era of rap metal on the decline, Kid Rock included several southern rock and country ballads on the album. The first single, "Forever", featured his standard brash rap-rock sound, but lacked the selling power of "Devil Without A Cause". The songs "Lonely Road of Faith"and "You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me" were released as singles, but were not successful, and the album struggled to reach platinum a year later. Rock had problems with the release of "Picture", a country-influenced duet with Sheryl Crow: his label felt it was wrong for his image, and were not keen to spend more money promoting a flagging album; then, when they agreed to release it, Sheryl Crow's label initially refused to give permission. Rock, meanwhile, made a radio version with Allison Moorer, which was gaining airplay. When "Picture" was released it introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience, and was ultimately the most successful single on the album. The song would chart at No 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No 17 on Country radio. The song remains his most successful pop song in the US to date.

On December 14, 2001, CMT aired an episode of Crossroads featuring Rock with Hank Williams, Jr. The episode drew 2.1 million viewers, a record on CMT. He would perform for troops in January 2002 on an MTV USO Special at Germany's Ramstein Air Base along with Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez.

At the end of 2002, Uncle Kracker left the band to pursue a solo career, and Detroit underground rapper Paradime replaced him. Kid Rock made his second movie, Biker Boyz, with Laurence Fishburne.

Kid Rock to Rock n Roll Jesus (2003–2009)

In 2003, Kid Rock returned with an eponymous album, almost stripping away the accustomed rap metal sound that he had created, opting for southern rock and several country ballads in the wake of "Picture"'s success. The album's lead single was a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love". A media blitz accompanied the single capped off by the VH-1 special called A Kid Rock Christmas, which aired on December 14, 2003. He would release "Cold and Empty", "Jackson, Mississippi" and "I Am" to minor success on radio. The David Allan Coe penned "Single Father", became his second charting country song, although like the other singles it was minor hit at #50. Kid Rock would be his lowest selling mainstream studio album of his career with 1.4 million copies sold.

Kid Rock was involved in the halftime show controversy at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2004. He was criticized by Republicans for his choice of wearing the American flag as a poncho.

The following month, Kid inducted Bob Seger into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In September 2005, Kid Rock filled in for Johnny Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd on the band's hit "Sweet Home Alabama" at the Hurricane Katrina benefit concert.

He performed the theme song for Spike TV's Striperella, which featured Pamela Anderson in 2003, the song was entitled "Erotica".

Kid Rock in concert on September 16, 2006 in Denver, Colorado.

On February 28, 2006, Kid Rock released his first live album, Live Trucker, comprising songs from his homestead performances in Clarkston (on September 1, 2000, and August 26 through August 28, 2004), and Detroit's Cobo Hall (March 26, 2004). The album contained the last two performances of Joe C. on "Devil Without a Cause" and "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp," as well as Kid dueting with country star Sheryl Crow on "Picture."

He brought Bob Seger back from semi-retirement during his pre-Super Bowl concerts on February 2 and 3, 2006 in Detroit. The two performed a version of Seger's "Rock 'n' Roll Never Forgets" on both nights. Kid Rock would appear on Bob Seger's album, Face the Promise, on a Vince Gill cover of "Real Mean Bottle," a tribute to country legend Merle Haggard. He would make a cameo in the movie Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector and was in an episode of CSI: New York in 2006.

He inducted Lynyrd Skynyrd into the 2006 Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and performed "Sweet Home Alabama" with them.

Rock n Roll Jesus was released on October 9, 2007, becoming Kid Rock's first album to go number 1, selling 172,000 copies in its first week. He made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine for the second time, and appeared for the first time on Larry King Live to discuss the new album.

The album's first two singles were successful on rock radio in "So Hott" and "Amen". The album's third single "All Summer Long", became a global hit. It utilized a mash up of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London". "All Summer Long" would chart at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Rock n Roll Jesus" returned to the Top 10 for 17 straight weeks. Both "Roll On" and the title track were released as follow-up singles. The album's final single was "Blue Jeans and a Rosary" which was a minor country hit at No. 50.

In 2008, Kid Rock recorded "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.

Kid Rock performed on VH1 Storytellers on November 27, 2008, giving an insight to how he wrote some of his hit songs. On April 5, 2009 he performed a 5-song medley at WrestleMania XXV.

He was nominated for best rock album and best male pop/rock performance for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 Grammys. He lost to Coldplay's Viva La Vida for best Rock Album and John Mayer's "Say" for Best Male Pop/Rock Performance. He achieved his first country award winning for Best Wide Open Country Video for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 CMT Awards.

On May 22 Kid Rock's June 8, 2008 concert at Germany's Rock AM Festival was aired on every MTV affiliate around the world on their debut show "World Stage".

At the 2008 Download Festival Kid Rock was meant to appear between Seether and Disturbed on the Main Stage but pulled out at the last minute. It was first announced that this was due to illness. Rock later claimed he left the festival grounds after becoming dissatisfied with the amenities. But, the following year, Download's booker theorized that it had been due to a broken heart.

On July 3, 2009 "Rock N Roll Jesus" was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.

Kid Rock held the largest headline concert of his career the weekend of July 17 and 18, 2009, at Comerica Park in Detroit. 80,000 people attended the two shows.

Born Free (2009–present)

In April 2010 Kid Rock started the Born Free era off with a spring cruise dubbed "The Chillin The Most Cruise". Then he followed that up by hosting the CMT Awards in June and performed "Cowboy".

Kid Rock released Born Free on November 16, 2010 and it debut at No 5 selling 189,000 copies in its first week. The album was produced by Rick Rubin and featured David Hildago and Matt Sweeny on gutair as well as Chad Smith on drums and Benmont Tench on keys and piano. The album became his first album not to feature a parental advisory sticker on it. The album's lead single was the patriotic " Born Free" it was the theme song to the 2010 MLB playoffs on TBS as well as WWE's Tribute To The Troops Special. The album reached gold status on December 15, 2010. The album's current single is " God Bless Saturday". The album feature's Martina McBride and T.I. on "Care", Sheryl Crow and Bob Seger on "Collide", Zac Brown on "Flying High" and Trace Adkins on "Rock Bottom Blues". Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow recentley finished the music video for " Collide" while he was on tour in Wichita, Kansas. He also released a Detroit only ep called Racing Father Time containing demos on "Slow My Roll" and "Lonely Road Of Faith" along with new songs "The Midwest Fall" and "Fuckin' Forty". The latter is another John Eddide cover he previously covered "Lowlife". The Midwest Fall is another emotional song about a man losing his job on the autoline.

On January 15, 2011 Kid Rock celebrated his 40th birthday with a performance at Ford Field in Detroit. The marathon concert featured Uncle Kracker, Peter Wolfe, Rev Run, Sheryl Crow, Cindy Crawford, Jimmie Johnson and Anita Baker.

Personal life

Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock in 2003

Kid Rock has stated in numerous interviews that he is a lover of hunting and fishing. He has hunted with his good friend Hank Williams Jr. several times. When Rock and Pamela Anderson divorced, it was rumored that Rock's hunting passion was the cause of the relationship's end, Anderson being a keen animal rights activist.

In 2001 Kid Rock began dating actress Pamela Anderson, after the two met at a VH1 tribute to Aretha Franklin. By April 2002, he and Anderson were engaged, but the engagement was later called off. They later got married in a surprise wedding in July 2006 after it was reported Anderson was pregnant. They divorced 5 months later because Rock wanted to live in Detroit and Anderson wanted to stay in Los Angeles. It has been suggested that his no-show at the Download Festival 2008 was due to a broken heart.

Charity work

Kid Rock has been involved with many charitable organizations but his main support has gone to Operation Homefront. Kid Rock has frequently partnered with Jim Beam to make large donations to the organization. He is close friends with Tony Stewart as he helps with charity events, and Kid Rock narrated "Tony Stewart: Smoke", a documentary of Stewart's 2002 championship season.

Political views

Kid Rock has been an outspoken supporter of the Republican Party and publicly expressed his support for George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election and has attended many Republican events as well as performing for American service men and women in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Kosovo as well as performing for soldiers in Great Britain at R.A.F. bases such as RAF Lakenheath. In October, 2010 he performed at Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, DC.

Legal troubles

Kid Rock has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement:

In February 2005, he was arrested on assault charges for punching DJ Jay Campos in 'Christies Cabaret' strip club. Rock pleaded no contest and was sued for $575,000 by Campos.

Kid Rock was cited for assault on Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee on September 9, 2007 at MTV's Video Music Awards, and plead guilty.

In October 2007, Kid Rock was involved in a brawl at a Waffle House in Atlanta and charged with simple battery. He pleaded nolo contendere ("no contest") to one count, was fined $1,000, required to perform 80 hours of community service and complete a 6-hour course on anger management.

Sex tape

Kid Rock and Scott Stapp, singer of the band Creed, appear in a sex tape from 1999 in which the two have sex with four groupies. California pornography company Red Light District planned to release the tape in 2006, but one of the women involved filed to block it. Ritchie also filed an injunction, called Stapp an "idiot," and blamed him for the tape's leak.

Musical style and influences

Kid Rock's musical style ranges from Midwest hip hop to country rock and rap rock. His influences include Jim Croce, Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe, Bob Seger, Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Whodini, Too Short, Eric B. & Rakim and Esham. It has also been posited that Kid Rock is the Yu Law of the musical multiverse.

Twisted Brown Trucker

Twisted Brown Trucker is Kid Rock's band, formed in 1994 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The original lineup included Kenny Olson on lead guitar, Uncle Kracker on turntables, Andy Gould and George Metropolous on guitar, Paul Anthony on bass and Bob Ebeling on drums. The band's first involvement was on the 1994 demo of "Dark & Gray" on his Bootleg Series Tapes, they would make three more appearances on the tapes in Watch Me Come, Only a Dog and Box #10. Trucker became both Rock's studio and live band in 1997.

Chris Peters was the studio guitarist for The Polyfuze Method and Fire It Up. Matt O'Brien (Bass) and Kenny Tudrick (Guitar, Drums) were studio musicians for Devil Without a Cause.

Kenny Olson went on to form numerous bands for more creative outlets. A Pack of Wolves, The Flask, Five Star Carni, The Motorfly's, and most recent (2010) 7 Day Binge. He has also made appearances on many other recordings such as the song "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" which can be found on the Les Paul & Friends CD as well as a version of "Little Wing" with Chaka Khan on "The Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix" among numerous others.

Tudrick is with the band Detroit Cobras, who he was with before touring on Kid Rock's 'Live' Trucker tour.

Percussionist Larry Frantangelo won a Detroit Music Award in 2009 for Outstanding Urban/Funk Musician.

Current members

• Jimmie "Bones" Trombley – keyboards, piano, organ, harmonica, backing vocals (1996–present)
• Marlon Young – lead & rhythm guitar (1996–1997, 2007–present)
• Jason Krause – rhythm & lead guitar (1997–present)
• Stefanie Eulinberg – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–present)
• Paradime – turntables, programming, keyboards (2002–present)
• Aaron Julison – bass guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)

with:

• Larry Frantangelo – percussion (2007–present)
• David McMurray – saxophone (2007–present)
• Jessica Wagner;– backing vocals (2007–present)
• Tyra Juliette -backing vocals (2007–present)

Former members

• Barbara Payton- backing vocals (2007–2009, on and off)
• Stacy Michelle- backing vocals (2007–2009)
• Kenny Olson – lead guitar (1994–2005)
• Uncle Kracker – turntables (1994–2002)
• Joe C – backing vocals (1994–2000)
• Andy Gould – rhythm guitar (1994–1995)
• George Metropolous – rhythm guitar (1994–1995)
• Paul Anthony – bass (1994–1995)
• Bob Ebeling – drums (1994–1995)
• Bill Keros – drums (1995)
• Eric Hogemeyer – drums (1995)
• Jeff Hall – rhythm guitar (1995–1996)
• Chris Zuccaro – drums (1995–1998)
• Ray Echlin – bass (1996)
• Lonnie Motley – bass (1996–1998)
• Chris Lebroux – bongos (1997)
• Thornetta Davis – backing vocals (1997–1998)
• Mike Bradford – bass (1998–2001)
• Misty Love – backing vocals (1998–2001)
• Shirley Hayden – backing vocals (1998–2001)
• Bobby East – bass (2001–2003)
• Smith Curry – dobro (2004–2005)
• Karen Newman – backing vocals (2004–2005)
• Lauren Creamer – backing vocals (2004–2005)
• Kenny Tudrick – lead guitar (2005–2006)

Discography

Main article: Kid Rock discography

• 1990: Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast
• 1993: The Polyfuze Method
• 1996: Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp
• 1998: Devil Without a Cause
• 2000: The History of Rock
• 2001: Cocky
• 2003: Kid Rock
• 2006: Live Trucker
• 2007: Rock n Roll Jesus
• 2010: Born Free
• 2010: Racing Father Time (Meijer store exclusive)

Tours

• 1988: By All Means Necessary Tour ( opened for Boogie Down Productions )
• 1989: Straight From the Underground Tour (opened for Ice Cube, Too $hort, D Nice and Yo-Yo)
• 1998: Lollapalooza Tour
• 1998: Vans Warped Tour
• 1998–99: White Thrash on Dope Tour (with Monster Magnet and Hed PE)
• 1999: Destroy Your Liver Tour
• 1999: Limptropolis Tour (with Limp Bizkit and Staind)
• 1999: European Tour (with Blink-182)
• 1999: Between the Legs Tour (with Powerman 5000, Professional Murder Music)
• 1999-00: Millennium Tour (with Metallica, Sevendust and Creed)
• 2000: Summer Sanitarium Tour (with Metallica, Korn, System of a Down, Powerman 5000)
• 2000: The History of Rock Tour (with Dope)
• 2001: The American Bad Ass Tour (with Buckcherry, Fuel and David Allan Coe)
• 2002: The Cocky Tour (with Lit, Tenacious D and Saliva)
• 2002: Girls of Summer Tour (opening for Aerosmith with Run-D.M.C.)
• 2004: Rock n Roll Pain Train Tour (with Puddle of Mudd, Gov't Mule, Jerry Cantrell)
• 2005: Lazy Muthafuga Tour (only 6 concert dates)
• 2006: 'Live' Trucker Tour (with Ty Stone, Peter Frampton (opened in Auburn Hills, Michigan) and Whitestarr)
• 2007–2008: Rock n Roll Revival Tour (with Reverend Run, Dicky Betts, Duane Betts, Peter Wolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd, in a revue style)
• 2008: Rock n Roll Revival Tour: European Tour
• 2008: Rock n Rebels Tour (with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Backdoor Slam)
• 2008: European Tour (with Finger Eleven)
• 2008: All Summer Long Tour (4 nights at Pine Knob with Uncle Kracker & Rev Run)
• 2009: Rock n Rebels Tour II (with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, Black Stone Cherry, Alice in Chains, Cypress Hill, Robert Randolph and the Family Band)
• 2010: The Circle Tour (opening for Bon Jovi)
• 2011: Born Free Tour

Filmography

• The Howard Stern Show (8 episodes, 1999–2008)
• Saturday Night Live (Musical Guest, 2000)
• The Simpsons (1 episode, 2000)
• WWE Raw (Musical Guest, 2000)
• Joe Dirt (2001)
• Osmosis Jones (Voice, 2001)
• Kid Rock: Lonely Road of Faith (2001)
• King of the Hill (2002)
• Punk'd (1 episode, 2003)
• Biker Boyz (2003)
• Stripperella (You Only Lick Twice, 2003)
• CMT Outlaws (2003)
• South Park (2004)
• CSI: NY (1 episode, 2005)
• Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (2005)
• Motorcycle Mania 3 (2005)
• Coors Light Mountain Jam (2005)
• Stacked (1 episode, 2002)
• The 2006 Billboard Music Awards (2006)
• VH1 Storytellers (2008)
• WrestleMania XXV (Musical Guest, 2009)
• 2010 Spike Guy Choice Awards (Presenter, 2009)
• Top Gear (U.S. TV series) (1 episode, 2010)

Awards and nominations

• Grammy Awards
  • 2000 Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • 2000 Best Hard Rock Performance for "Bawitdaba" (Nominated)
  • 2001 Best Hard Rock Performance for "American Bad Ass" (Nominated)
  • 2009 Best Rock Album for Rock n Roll Jesus (Nominated)
  • 2009 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)

• Academy of Country Music
  • 2003, Vocal Event of the Year: "Picture" (Nominated)

• American Music Awards
  • 2008, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist (Nominated)
  • 2003, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: (Winner)
  • 2003, Favorite Pop/Rock Album: Cocky (Nominated)
  • 2001, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: (Winner)
  • 2000, Favorite Alternative Artist: (Nominated)
  • 2000, Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist: (Nominated)

• Billboard Music Awards
  • 1999 Best New Artist (Winner)
  • 1999 Best Hard Rock Performance for "Bawitdaba" (Winner)
  • 1999 Best New Hard Rock Artist (Winner)

• MTV Video Music Awards
  • 2001, Best Male Video: "Cowboy" (Nominated)
  • 2001, Best Rock Video: "Cowboy" (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best Male Video: "Bawitdaba" (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best New Artist: "Bawitdaba" (Nominated)

• Teen Choice Awards
  • 2003, Choice Love Song: "Picture" (Nominated)
  • 2003 Choice Hookup Song: "Picture" (Nominated)

• Detroit Music Awards
  • 1999
    • Outstanding National Album for Devil Without a Cause (Winner)
    • Outstanding National Single for "I Am the Bullgod" (Winner)
    • Outstanding National Single for "Bawitdaba" (Nominee)
    • Outstanding National Hip Hop Writer/Producer (Winner)
  • 2000
    • Outstanding National Album for History of Rock (Nominee)
    • Outstanding National Single for "American Bad Ass" (Winner)
    • Outstanding National Single for "Cowboy" (Nominee)
    • Outstanding National Duet for "Higher" with Robert Bradley (Winner)
    • Outstanding National Spokesperson (Winner)
  • 2001
    • Outstanding National Album for Cocky (Nominated)
    • Outstanding National Single for "Forever" (Nominated)
  • 2003
    • Outstanding National Single for "Picture" (Nominated)
  • 2004
    • Outstanding National Album for Kid Rock (Nominated)
    • Outstanding National Single for "Cold and Empty" (Nominated)
    • Outstanding National Single for "Jackson, Mississippi" (Nominated)
  • 2006
    • Outstanding National Album for Live Trucker (Nominated)
  • 2008
    • Outstanding National Album for Rock n Roll Jesus (Winner)
    • Outstanding National Single for "So Hott" (Nominated)
    • Outstanding National Single for "Amen" (Nominated)
  • 2009
    • Outstanding National Single for All Summer Long (Winner)
    • Outstanding National Single for Roll On (Nominated)
• MTV European Music Awards
  • 2008 Most Attictive Track for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
• BMI Songwriting Award
  • 2002 "Picture" (Winner)
• CMT Music Awards
  • 2003 Choice Male Video for "Picture" (Nominated)
  • 2009 Video of The Year for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
  • 2009 Wide Open Country Video of the Year for "All Summer Long" (Winner)
• World Music Awards
  • 2008 Worlds Best Male Pop Artist (Winner)
  • 2008 Worlds Best Pop/Rock Artist (Winner)
• People's Choice Awards
  • 2009 Best Rock Song for "All Summer Long" (Winner)
• Kid's Choice Awards
  • 2009 Favorite Male Singer (Current Nominee)
• Echo Award (Germany)
  • 2009 Hit Of The Year for "All Summer Long" (Winner)

Other ventures and honors

• He has his own clothing line called Made in Detroit which he purchased from its creator, Detroit designer Robert Stanzler, in 2003. Stanzler, a longtime friend of Kid Rock, is mentioned by name in Rock's song "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp".
• Wayne State University named a scholarship after Kid Rock for musicians. Kid Rock is using his clothing line to fund it.
• He was Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on February 21, 2009 and was accompanied by The Chee-Weez, a local area cover band.
• He released his own beer called Bad Ass Beer on July 17, 2009 released over the entire midwestern part of the U.S.
• Kid Rock is a steadfast loyal supporter of the United States military. He gave proceeds of a concert to the families affected by the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000. He has quietly made numerous trips with the USO, and on his own, to play concerts for soldiers overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. He also made his album "Born Free" available to military members to download for free.

References

Sources

• Christe, Ian (2003). Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-380-81127-8
• Friedlander, Paul; Peter, Miller (2006). Rock & Roll: A Social History. Westview Press. ISBN 0-8133-4306-2.

External links

• Official website
• Kid Rock : Born Free tour : Venues and Tickets
• Kid Rock at Imeem.com
• Kid Rock at IMDb
• Kid Rock Interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
• UK Interview (11/8/2008)http://www.thrashhits.com/2008/08/kid-rock-%E2%80%9Ci-was-the-kid-with-the-vial-full-of-rocks%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D/