Music
Kid Rock Reportedly Used Turning Point Show as Rebranding Launchpad for His Career
MAGA favorite Kid Rock headlined Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show during Super Bowl LX, but his participation was reportedly more than just a protest of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny.
The “Bawitdaba” singer, 55, started going by his legal name, Robert Ritchie, in interviews in recent weeks.
“This was months in the making,” a source told Rob Shuter for his “Naughty But Nice” Substack in a story published on Wednesday, February 11. “The redneck persona is branding. The MAGA base is the customer.”
Ritchie performed a cover of Cody Johnson’s 2021 hit,“Til You Can’t” during his performance, which streamed on YouTube.
“There’s a book that’s sitting in your house somewhere / That could use some dusting off / There’s a man who died for all our sins / Hanging from the cross / You can give your life to Jesus,” he sang, adding lyrics that are not part of Johnson’s original hit.
The song reportedly shot to No. 1 on iTunes charts by Monday, February 9, just hours after his live performance, per Shuter.
“He’s no fool. He understands his audience better than most artists do,” an insider told Shuter.
Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show was created as a protest to the “Me Porto Bonito” artist’s selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer. The far-right organization branded their show the “All-American Halftime Show.”
Country singers Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett also performed.
