3 Singers Withdraw from Rock the Country Festival: What Happened?
Several months prior to the Rock the Country festival as it makes its way across the United States, three of its scheduled performers have withdrawn.
This annual event, which features an eight-city tour with performances from notable music artists, originally listed Ludacris, Morgan Wade, and Carter Faith among its impressive lineup. These three artists have recently canceled their participation without providing any detailed explanation.
While official promotional materials and the festival’s website have removed Ludacris and Wade’s names from their listings, Faith’s remains unchanged as of this publication.
Continue reading for a complete overview of the unfolding situation surrounding the Rock the Country festival:
What Is Rock the Country?
The festival is marketed as a musical experience in eight small towns.
“Rock The Country is more than just a festival; it’s a celebration of community, tradition, and the spirit that has carried America for 250 years,” states a description on their website. “It’s where neighbors turn into friends, families gather under the open sky, and people from all walks of life find joy in good music and great company.”
The announcement continued, “As we celebrate this milestone 250th year, every song, every laugh, and every toast feels even more special. It’s an opportunity to appreciate our towns, the stories that define us, and the moments we will cherish long after the lights fade.”
When Is Rock the Country?
The festival kicks off in Bellville, Texas, in May 2026, with two shows. The event will also feature another pair of performances in Bloomingdale, Georgia, later that month, along with additional shows in South Dakota, Kentucky, South Carolina, Michigan, and Florida throughout the summer. Rock the Country will conclude with a two-day event in Hamburg, New York, in September 2026.
Who Are the Rock the Country Headliners?
The festival’s official website lists the likes of Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Creed, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, and Nelly as among the performers.
Despite initially being slated to perform, Ludacris, Morgan Wade, and Carter Faith have all withdrawn from the lineup without providing detailed reasons. According to a representative for Ludacris, he was mistakenly included on the lineup, as reported in an Rolling Stone article in January 2026.
“Lines got crossed, and he wasn’t intended to be on that list,” Ludacris’ representative informed the publication.
In a TikTok comment, Faith simply stated she’s “not [playing the show] anymore!”
Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, and other Black country artists have openly discussed the racism they have encountered within the genre. Transitioning from leading the rock band Hootie and the Blowfish to a country superstar, Rucker faced numerous challenges.
Why Did Rock the Country Spark Backlash?
Many users on social media suggest that the festival has connections to the “Make America Great Again” conservative movement associated with President Donald Trump.
Ludacris is a well-known supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, while Morgan Wade advocates for human rights—issues that seemingly contradict the MAGA agenda.
Barry Kerch, the drummer for Shinedown, shared that his band also faced online criticism for agreeing to participate in the shows.
“There’s been a lot of backlash [and] people get hostile when they disapprove,” Kerch noted on the “Vinyl Road” podcast in January 2026. “We aim to stay apolitical, yet the backlash has been intense. Honestly, I was unaware.”
According to Kerch, none of his bandmates were aware that Rock the Country was “Kid Rock’s initiative,” as Kid Rock is a known supporter of President Trump and the Republican party.
“Initially, it was presented as a cool lineup that mixed country and rock [artists],” Kerch recounted. “We accepted the offer, but later discovered its political leanings. I’m just going to perform the show regardless.”
He added, “Let’s keep politics out of this. I have no strong feelings one way or the other about Kid Rock. I appreciate his music, and this is primarily about the music.”
Rock the Country has not commented on its political connections.
Why Did Ludacris, Morgan Wade and Carter Faith Drop Out of the Festival?
While the reasons behind Ludacris, Morgan Wade, and Carter Faith stepping away from Rock the Country remain unclear, fellow artist Maren Morris has offered a possible perspective.
“I’m not privy to all the specifics, but I’d say that sometimes, a young opener on a tour might find their schedule includes festival dates alongside regular shows,” Morris commented in a TikTok post. “Occasionally, artists might miss details about festivals due to aligning with the tour package they’re supporting. I once played at a festival without realizing until I arrived that it had some troubling aspects, as I was there opening for someone who was headlining.”
Morris, who has distanced herself from the country music scene due to political reasons, has known Wade for several years, having opened for Morris’ ex-husband, Ryan Hurd, on one of his tours.
“Ultimately, kudos to them for taking a stand!” she concluded in her comment.
