In advance of this weekend’s first Arkansas edition of Kid Rock‘s Rock the Country festival, the “American Bad Ass” singer sat down with the state’s Governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, to discuss why he’s bringing his “pro-American” event to the Natural State.
Describing the concept of the two-day fest slated for June 20-21 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds as a “small town, pro-American… everything pro-American music festival for a lot of people I felt were underserved in this country,” Rock said he was excited when he heard from Trump administration press secretary Huckabee Sanders had invited him to her state.
The festival will kick off on Friday with a lineup featuring Logan Crosby, Mark Chesnutt, Shenandoah, Gavin Adcock, a house party set from the Ying Yang Twins and headline performances from Hank Williams Jr. and Nickelback.
Saturday night will open with Deana Carter, followed by Little Texas, Lee Greenwood, Hudson Westbrook, a house party set from Afroman and then headlining spots from Travis Tritt and Rock.
“Any time you have an event like this an an opportunity to bring in such a huge headliner, that is something that will a big difference in the state, bring in a lot of revenue, tourism,” said Huckabee Sanders, who was seated in front of a mural of a giant eagle with the American flag painted on the inside of its wings alongside a short-wearing Rock. She added that she hoped people from “all over the country” would come to the show. “So not only are we excited to hear great music and see from people that love this country but also it’s a big win for Arkansas to have that kind of economic driver,” she said.
Rock the Country kicked off in April with shows in Louisiana and Tennessee, followed by gigs in rural Missouri and Florida and a stop in York, PA in May. The tour will march on after Little Rock with scheduled shows in Ashland, KY (July 11-12), Sioux Falls, SD (July 18-19) and Anderson, S.C. (July 25-26).
Check out Rock’s chat with Huckabee Sanders here.
