Kid Rock

For the ice hockey player, see Bob Ritchie (ice hockey).

Kid Rock

Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American musician and performer known for his eccentric personality and his ability to mix rap with heavy metal, rock and roll, rhythm and blues and country music. He has sold over 21 million records to date in the U.S. and is a 5-time grammy nominee.

His debut album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, was released on Jive Records in 1990 and earned him a local following, due to the raunchiness of the lead single, "Yo Da Lin In The Valley". However, Jive dropped him from the label in 1991. Next, he signed with Continuum Records based out of Brooklyn, NY and released The Polyfuze Method in 1993 and Fire It Up in 1994. After Continuum released him in 1994 he went independent, starting Top Dog Records. At Top Dog Records, he sold bootleg dubs of his own records to pay his rent. He would work as a janitor at Detroit's famed White Room Studios to get recording time for his 1996 release Early Morning Stoned Pimp. He had to request a loan from his father to press the album. His father gave him the lifeline he needed. After E.M.S.P garnered him local attention, he sat up a showcase concert on March 30,1997 at Detroit's State Theatre. The only label to show up was Atlantic Records who had been to previous shows and after watching his performance, they signed him.

In 1997 to 1998, the rap-metal music scene was booming with artists such as Korn, Rage Against the Machine and Limp Bizkit. Kid Rock and Atlantic would capitalize in 1998 when he released his debut mainstream album Devil Without A Cause. It sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba","Cowboy," and "Only God Knows Why". The album would go on to be the best selling rap/hip hop album of all time .

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 single, "American Bad Ass". In 2001, he released the follow up, "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 , which was a greatest hits live album.

In 2008, Kid Rock toured the U.S. and Europe promoting his latest release, Rock N Roll Jesus, backed in particular by the album's third single,"All Summer Long".It soared to Number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 4 on The Hot Country 100. It was his first worldwide smash hit charting number one in eight countries across Europe and Australia..The album was certified double platinum in August of 2008. The album's new single "Blue Jeans and a Rosary" became his highest debuting country single at number 57, in its first week of release.

Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast

Kid Rock grew up on a apple orchid farm in Romeo,MI and his father was a wealthy car dealer. His parents would entertain guests with Bobby singing covers of Jim Croce, Johnny Cash and Bob Seger at their barn parties. However, by the time the 80's rolled around hip-hop had emerged, and a late-night TV performance by the Fat Boys had Bobby hooked. He became immersed in hip hop with groups like Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Whodini, Too Short and Erik B and Rakim.At age eleven he joined a breakdance crew (referred to as b-boy), called the Furious Funkers. They would dance anywhere they could for money.He saved up his money to buy a cheap belt-driven turntable and self taught himself how to work the tables. 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 with the moniker "Kid Rock" after they had enjoyed watching "that white kid rock."

In addition to DJing, Rock started rapping and joined a local hip hop group The Beast Crew they were composed of The Blackman, Champtown, KDC, Crisp and Doc Rounce Cee. Rock also 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 also left his vocals in on tracks on 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, and Yo-Yo.

On December 11 1990, Kid Rock released his debut album Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast on Jive Records. The lead single "Yo Da Lin In The Valley" was banned by the FCC for its fixation on oral sex, and received at the time the largest non-commercial radio fine of all time at $23,750 fined to SUNY Cortland Radio (WSUC-FM). In 1991 Kid Rock appeared on the track "Is That You?" with the Insane Clown Posse on their album Carnival of Carnage released in 1992. Awesome Dre was originally going to do a verse on "Taste," for Carnival of Carnage but while waiting in the studio for him to arrive, Insane Clown Posse saw Esham. Esham suggested he appear on the track instead, for the same amount of money as Awesome Dre, and Insane Clown Posse allowed him on. Esham was paid $500 for his appearance. Kid Rock demanded a hundred more than Esham, and was thus paid $600 to appear on "Is That You?" Kid Rock showed up to record "Is That You?" intoxicated, but re-recorded his vocals and record scratching the following day. Jive released Kid Rock from their roster in 1991. It was during the height of the 2 Live Crew censorship trial and they deemed Kid Rock's album too dirty.

Grits Sandwiches sold 100,000 copies upon its initial release. Atlantic Record won the rights to the record in 2000 and re-released the album. The only outlet that sells the album is Best Buy.

Restarting on an independent label

In 1992, Kid Rock was picked up by an independent record label, Continuum Records, which released his second album The Polyfuze Method the following year. He moved to Brooklyn to work on the album. It was more rock oriented with Rock teaching himself how to play several different instruments including guitar, drums, keyboard and organ. While the album saw some local college radio success at Central Michigan University with the tracks "Back From The Dead" and "Balls In Your Mouth", the lead single, "U Don't Know Me", failed to chart, and the music video received little airplay on any major music video channels. The album sold around 100,000 copies.

He released an EP called Fire It Up! in 1994. The album was hard rock oriented but he couldn't get rock radio to pick up on any of the singles, including "I Am the Bullgod", which would be a hit five years later. They would tell him there was to much rapping in the songs. Continuum didn't see a future with 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 gained custody of his son. He started his own label, Top Dog Records, and released 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. He signed on Curt Hauer, Dave Long, and the Cook twins to be his "Top Dog Interns". The interns helped him promote his shows and design his own merchandise line 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. The album was released in 1996, and Kid Rock sold 8,500 copies out of the trunk of his car and after concerts.

While Kid Rock was now popular in Michigan and controlling his own label, he felt he needed to get attention from a major label. Without knowing in December 1996, Lava/Atlantic Records A&R man Andy Karp, traveled to Cleveland to see Rock perform at a small club called The Grog Shop. This way key because on March 30, 1997, Rock performed a special showcase concert to attract major label attention. While many of the major labels were invited, the only attendees were Karp and Lava President Jason Flom (Lava/Atlantic Records) who had seen him in Cleveland. Following the performance, record executives said they loved him but expressed doubts about the strength of his material. Kid Rock returned to the studio and cut a six song demo tape; the first two songs on the tape were "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "I Got One For Ya". After hearing the two songs, Jason Flom supported Karp in signing Kid Rock to a record deal for $100,000, without even hearing the rest.

Devil Without a Cause

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 18th 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.

Audiences ignored "Welcome 2 The Party" and Devil sat on the shelves collecting dust for eight months. While sales nationwide lagged, his performance on 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, after meeting Carson Daly, he got an offer to perform on MTV Fashionably Loud in Miami, giving the nation its first real look at Kid Rock. From there, MTV took him under their wing as he performed 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 sparked him to gold status by April 1999

In May 1999, he released the song "Bawitdaba" to radio outlets, and proceeded to blow up overnight. By June, the album had gone platinum. Kid Rock went on the Limptropolis Tour with fellow rap-rockers 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 27, 1999, he was double platinum. The following single "Cowboy" was an even bigger hit. It was a unique mix of southern rock, country and rap that found its way into the Top 40. Kid Rock helped create one of the most memorable moments in MTV history with his 1999 Video Music Awards medley with Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith who rejoined to perform the seminal rap-rock version of "Walk This Way", the same song that revived Aerosmith's career in the 1980s. 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.

He was nominated as Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Award's losing out to Christina Aguilera. He was also nominated for "Bawitdaba" for Best Hard Rock Performance, dominated by Metallica's "Whiskey In The Jar".

The History of Rock

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. The one of two new tracks, "American Bad Ass" was released as a single. It sampled the Metallica track "Sad But True".

On May 27 Kid Rock would perform on Saturday Night Live. He did "American Bad Ass" and use the intro to trash the previous week's singer Britney Spears for lip syncing. The second song was an acoustic version of "Only God Knows Why" that featured Phish's Trey Anatasio. Kid Rock would join Phish later in the year in Las Vegas, Nevada for a set of cover songs.

"American Bad Ass" was used as pro wrestler The Undertaker's entrance song in the World Wrestling Federation for a year. He performed the song in Vancouver Canada on Monday Night Raw on May 29, 2000. During the show Joe C helped the Dudley Boys win the tag team titles from Edge and Christain who had mocked him for being a midget. Edge and Christain got their revenge by stuffing him in a trash can and slamming him into the wall afterwards. The following night Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hamet of Metallica joined Kid Rock to do "American Bad Ass" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

From June 30th to August 22nd 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 7th Atlanta concert.

On November 16, 2000 Joseph "Joe C" Callejua would pass away 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. In which the band made a cameo in the movie has 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.

Cocky

Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock in 2003

In early 2001, Kid Rock began dating Playboy playmate and 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.

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". By the time the songs "Lonely Road of Faith"and "You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me" were released as singles the album struggled to reach platinum a year later .

However, the release of "Picture", a country-influenced duet with Sheryl Crow, introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience. "Picture" was ultimately the most successful single on the album, and was eventually certified gold, with album sales reaching 5 million. Interestingly, neither his record company nor Sheryl Crow's wanted anything to do with "Picture" as a single. Allison Moorer remade the song for the single version after Kid Rock released the song against his label's wishes. Once it began to climb the country charts, Sheryl Crow's label caved and the original version was released.

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 Rammstein Air Force 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 also made his second movie, Biker Boyz, with Laurence Fishburne. His character was Dogg a rival bike leader to Laurence Fishburne's character.

A New Direction

In 2003, Kid Rock returned with an eponymous album, almost stripping away the accustomed rap rock sound that he had created, opting for southern rock and several country ballads in the wake of "Picture"'s success. None of the album's singles could match "Picture"'s success however. 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 copes 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 war veterans 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, 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".

Live Trucker

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 duetting with country star Gretchen Wilson on "Picture".

He brought Detroit's favorite son Bob Seger back from semi-retirement during his pre-Super Bowl concerts on February 2 and 3, 2006 in Detroit. The two performed a rousing version of Seger's "Rock 'N' Roll Never Forgets" on both nights. Kid Rock would appear on Bob Seger's much anticipated 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 also was in an episode of CSI: New York. As the main suspect of the death of his limo driver in 2006.

He would induct Lynyrd Skynyrd into the 2006 Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame and perform "Sweet Home Alabama" with them.

Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson resumed their on-again, off-again relationship, culminating in a surprise wedding in July 2006 after it was reported Anderson was pregnant. They divorced 5 months later after Kid Rock stated she lied about having a miscarriage.

Rock N Roll Jesus

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

The album's first three singles were very successful on radio. The lead single "So Hott" was his best charting rock song of his career at number 2, while the acoustic ballad "Amen" sat outside the top ten at number 11. The albums third single "All Summer Long", which was a mash up of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London", would become Kid Rock's biggest hit. Despite his boycott of iTunes, "All Summer Long" would chart at No 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It would also become his biggest country hit as well peaking at No 4. It did even better worldwide charting number one in eight countries across Europe and Australia. Due to the strength of the single, "Rock N Roll Jesus" would return to the Top 10 on the charts for an astounding 17 straight weeks. Roll On failed to chart has the album's fourth single in the states. It would chart at No 59 in Germany. The title track released along with "Roll On" was a minor rock hit at No 34. "Blue Jeans And A Rosary" was released to country radio as the albums sixth single in January of 2009.

Kid Rock performed on VH-1 Storytellers on November 27, 2008, giving insight to how he wrote some of his hit songs. The show will be released on DVD March 10,2009.

In the wake of "All Summer Long", Rock N Roll Jesus has received several awards. He took home a Detroit Music Award in April 2008 for Outstanding National Album. He then took home World's Best Male Artist and World's Best Pop/Rock Artist at the World Music Awards in September 2008. In January 2009 he won Favorite Rock Song at the People's Choice Awards.

He was nominated for best rock album and best male pop/rock performance for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 Grammy's. He lost to Coldplay's Vida La Viva for best Rock Album and John Mayer's "Say" for Best Male Pop/Rock Performace.

Kid Rock was presented with a banner at the Palace of Auburn Hills on January 30th,2009. It was during a second quarter timeout between Detroit and Boston. He was honored for his 18 consecutive sellout at the Palace Of Auburn Hills.

Talks of a new album

Rock said he will debut songs off his new album during his upcoming European tour. One song is known from VH-1 Storytellers in Midwest Fall. He also performs a song with Mary J Blige, as well as a rap song. The titles of the songs were not released. Lead guitarist Marlon Young stated in an interview the band was heading into the studio in January 2009 to begin recording the new album. Young says they will be going on a summer tour.

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 pled 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.

In October 2007, Kid Rock was involved in a brawl at a Waffle House in Atlanta and charged with simple battery . He pled 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.

Influences,Sound and Legacy

Kid Rock's genre-spanning sound incorporates a wide variety of musical styles and influences, ranging from classic rock and hip-hop to country. Kid Rock himself has referred to his unique stylistic blend as a result of being "creatively confused." Rock's earliest exposure to music was via the classic rock and country albums of his parents; these included the likes of Bob Seger, Jim Croce, Johnny Cash, John Lee Hooker, and Elton John (2007's Blue Jeans And A Rosary sounds like early Elton John). As rap and hip-hop gained mainstream prominence during the 1980s, Kid Rock's influences expanded to include notable artists of the genre such as The Beastie Boys and Run DMC as well as Too Short, who also went on to produce his first album. In 1999 he became friends with Hank Williams Jr., who is perhaps now the most apparent influence on his current sound. Has he has strayed away from more and more over the years.

Kid Rock's legacy will always be his ability to mix genres and find a niche for them. Taking from hip hop (beats and samples) and mixing them with country,blues,jazz and metal influences with a punk rock attitude. His legacy we also be remembered for reviving southern rock even though he was from Detroit.

It should be said that "Devil" was the beginning of something unique. It had got Kid labeled on the rap metal band wagon. Many labeled him a sell out on,Cocky, to do the "rap metal" label and "Cocky" having a prominant country sound. However that's what made "Devil" a success and has still given Kid Rock a career ,while fellow rap metal groups like "Limp Bizkit" have struggled." On "Devil," the song "Cowboy," is a country flavored rap dirge and the albums biggest hit was "Only God Knows Why" a country ballad that drew comparisons to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Even though Kid Rock acknowledges his hip hop roots and has been proud of the early influence, he is clearly country in the same vein as Hank Williams Jr, David Allan Coe, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash among others in the typical outlaw country tradition. Although he has been misunderstood in this regard, Kid Rock may stand as the prime example of artistic innovation in today's rather bland and predictable formulas of current musical tastes and genres.

2001's "Cocky," has not been truly appreciated for what it was intended to be. The problem with this album, is that much of material included on the record has been largely ignored because of the major pop hit, "Picture" . Although "Picture" had ressurected the 2001 effort, there are several other songs that are worth noticing.The album blends country with metal on the songs "Forever","Lay It On Me","Im Wrong But You Ain't Right" and "I'm A Dog". While two of the albums ballads "Lonely Road Of Faith" and "Midnight Train To Memphis" mix country and rap together .

2003's self titled release failed to make an impact. Although "Feel Like Makin Love" and "Hillbilly Stomp" would still combine country and metal.

After the release of "Rock N Roll Jesus," many people experienced a Kid Rock revival, due to the extent of the country music influence on the record, namely "All Summer Long". A song built off two classic rock songs a hip hop beat and orginal lyrics about summer love. Rock N Roll Jesus was Kid Rock's most expiermental album. The album now included jazz into his country metal on songs like "Rock N Roll Jesus", "Roll On" and "Lowlife". The album also included gospel tracks with "Amen" and "When U Love Someone" and honky tonk with "Half Your Age". The album's most suprising track was "New Orleans",combing jazz,delta blues,creole and zydico.

Kid Rock states in the song, "Don't Tell Me U Love Me," that he's "...an outlaw, Bad Leroy Brown, the only Cool Hand Luke left in this town..." And he means exactly that. What a lot of people fail to understand, is the concept of the modern American outlaw in today's country music. If we can think back and remember other performers such as Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, we will see the same defiance in Kid Rock's music that we can find in theirs. The "outlaw," in country music, is a performer who refuses to conform to the established sound, style and policies of the major record labels releasing mainstream trends in popular music. Artists such as Kid Rock, are too creative and talented to allow their personal standards and principles to be squandered by the marketing authorities. Kid Rock is an "outlaw," in the sense that he performs and writes his own music, that he records what he wants to and is not afraid of public opinion regarding his music. Fans and crtics must understand that when Kid Rock associates himself with artists such as Hank Williams Jr, David Allan Coe and Willie Nelson that he is not trying to "be" them, he is simply stating that he "is" them.

Other artists that contribute to this same method of musical defiance today are performers such as Hank Williams III, Shooter Jennings and Trent Tomlinson. These are the outlaws of today's country music. These are the true performers of country music that will define our perceptions of what true country is all about and what it takes to be an "outlaw" while out on the road. As Hank Williams III put it, "...it's a certain kind of living, it's a certain kind of style..."

Twisted Brown Trucker

Twisted Brown Trucker is Kid Rock's band, formed in 1994, with Bob Ebeling in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The original lineup included Kenny Olson on lead guitar, Uncle Kracker on turntables, Jeff Hall and Andy Gould on guitar and Bob Ebeling on drums. The band's first involvement was on the 1994 demo of Dark & Grey. Trucker became both Rock's studio and live band in 1997. Dubbed by Kid Rock as "The Loudest Band In America Today", they are well known for their hodge-podge of genres, sometimes mixing many in a single song. The lineup went through a change up on Devil Without a Cause: Stephanie Eulinberg became the new drummer and Mike Bradford as the new bass player. Trucker since saw three major changes with Uncle Kracker going solo full-time in 2002, Kenny Olson leaving in 2005, and Smith Curry in 2006. The new 2007 line up includes Marlon Young (Lead Guitar);replacing Kenny Tudrick, Larry Fratangelo (Bongos and Percussion), and David McMurray (Saxophone), who was with the 1980s group Was (Not Was).

Kenny Olson went on to form a band called The Flask, who later switched singers and changed their name to Five Star Carnie. They are derivative of Kid Rock's old sound mixing rap with rock and blues.

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

Members

Current members

• Kid Rock: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Banjo,Drums, Percussion, Turntables, Keyboard, Organ, Piano
• Marlon Young: Lead and rhythm guitar, slide guitar (2007-present)
• Jason Krause: Rhythm and lead guitar (1997-Present)
• Jimmie "Bones" Trombley: Keyboards, clavinet, harp, Jew's harp, programming, vocals (1995-Present)
• Stefanie Eulinberg: Drums, percussion, vocals (1997-Present)
• Aaron Julison: Bass guitar, vocals (2002-Present)
• Paradime: Turntables, vocals (2003-Present)
• Larry Fratangelo: percussion, bongos (2007-2008, 2008-present)
• David McMurray: Saxophone (2007-2008, 2008-present)
• Stacy Michelle: Backing vocals (2007-present)
• Jessica Wagner: Backing vocals (2008-present)

Former members

• Uncle Kracker: Turntables, vocals (1992-2002)
• Kenny Olson: Lead guitar (1994-2005)
• Joe C.: Vocals, rapping (1994-2000, deceased)
• Kenny Tudrick: Lead guitar (2005-2007)
• Lonny Moxley: Bass (1995-1996)
• Bob Ebeling: Drums, percussion (1994-1997)
• Mike Bradford: Bass guitar (2000)
• Smith Curry: Steel guitar, dobro (2004)
• Shirley Hayden: Backing vocals (1997-1998, appears on "Cocky" as a guest)
• Misty Love: Backing vocals (1997-1998, appears on "Cocky" as a guest)
• Karen Newman: Backing vocals (2003-2005)
• Laura Creamer: Backing vocals (2003-2005)
• Matt O'Brien: Bass (1998-1999)

Discography

Main article: Kid Rock discography

• 1990: Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast
• 1993: The Polyfuze Method
• 1994: Fire It Up! (EP)
• 1996: Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp
• 1997: The Polyfuze Method Revisited
• 1998: Devil Without a Cause
• 2000: The History of Rock
• 2001: Cocky
• 2003: Kid Rock
• 2006: Live Trucker
• 2007: Rock N Roll Jesus
• 2009: TBA

Tours

• 1989: Straight From The Underground Tour (with Ice Cube, Too Short, and D Nice)
• 1991: Unknown Titled Tour (with Esham)
• 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: Spread Your Legs Tour (with Powerman 5000, Professional Murder Music)
• 1999-00: Millennium Tour (with Metallica, Sevendust and Creed)
• 2000: Summer Saniturm 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 and Fuel)
• 2001: European Tour (with Guns N' Roses and Limp Bizkit)
• 2002: The Cocky Tour (with Lit, Tenacious D and Saliva)
• 2002: Girls of Summer Tour (with Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C.)
• 2004: Rock N Roll Pain Train Tour (with Puddle of Mudd, Gov't Mule, Jerry Cantrell)
• 2005: Lazy Muthafuga Tour
• 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, Peter Wolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd in a revue style)
• 2008: Rock N Roll Revival Tour: European Tour
• 2008: Rock N Rebels Tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd
• 2008: European Tour ( with Finger Eleven)

Filmography

• The Howard Stern Show (8 episodes, 1999-2008)
• Saturday Night Live (Musical Guest, 2000)
• Road Trip (2000)
• The Simpsons (1 episode, 2000)
• Joe Dirt (2001)
• Osmosis Jones (Voice, 2001)
• Kid Rock: Lonely Road of Faith (2001)
• 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
• King of the Hill (2002)
• Punk'd (1 episode, 2003)
• Biker Boyz (2003)
• Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
• Stripperella (Unknown episodes, 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)
• Run's House (2007)
• Hancock (2008)
• All Summer Long (2008)
• VH1 Storytellers (2008)

Awards/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 (Current Nominee)
  • 2009 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "All Summer Long" (Current Nominee)

• 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: "Bawitdba" (Nominated)
  • 2000, Best New Artist: "Bawitdba" (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)

• MTV European Music Awards
  • 2008 Most Attictive Track for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)

• BMI Songwriting Award
  • 2002 "Picture" (Winner)

• CMT Flameworthy Awards
  • 2003 Choice Male Video for "Picture" (Nominated)

• 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)

Other Ventures

Kid Rock has his own clothing line called Made In Detroit which he started in 2003. His own brew of beer is currently in the works, with Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd; due to hit shelves in the spring of 2009. He's also working on getting his own brand of cigars made as well.

Wayne State University named a scholarship after Kid Rock for musicians. Kid Rock is using his clothing line to fund it.

Kid Rock has criticized celebrities for becoming overly involved in politics, but he himself endorsed George W. Bush for president in 2004, campaigned for Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Mike Bouchard in 2006, and appeared at events with Republican presidential candidate John McCain in 2008.

Kid Rock will be the Grand Marshal of the 2009 Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans.

See also

• List of best-selling albums in the United States - RIAA certified list.

References

General

• http://www.atlanticrecords.com/kidrock/
• http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kidrock
• http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/kid_rock/artist.jhtml
• http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/kid_rock/artist.jhtml
• 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/

External links

• Official site
• Kid Rock at Imeem.com
• Extreme Kid Rock
• Kid Rock at IMDb
• Kid Rock discography at MusicBrainz
• Template:Last.fm
• Kid Rock Interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
• Kid Rock on Demand