Rock The Country producers are speaking out following the sudden cancellation of their Anderson, South Carolina festival. On Monday (Feb. 9), the festival organizers issued a statement on social media addressing the situation publicly for the first time and clarifying the event’s core values.
“Rock The Country was created to unite people together through music. Our lineups and our crowds reflect that sentiment — a wide range of voices, backgrounds, and stories that make up this country,” the statement began.
The Anderson, South Carolina festival was originally scheduled to take place July 25-26, 2026. However, on February 6, organizers informed fans via email that the event had been canceled “due to unforeseen circumstances,” following the departures of multiple performers. Shinedown and Ludacris were scheduled to co-headline day 2 of Rock The Country Anderson.
Shortly after the event was announced, a representative for Ludacris told Rolling Stone that there was “a mix-up. Lines got crossed, and he wasn’t supposed to be on there.” In addition to Shinedown and Ludacris, Morgan Wade and Carter Faith have also backed out of the Rock The Country festivals. Wade’s management team confirmed her exit with Billboard, and Faith revealed her own departure to a fan in the comments of a social media post.
Now, Rock The Country festival organizers have broken their silence and expressed disappointment about the event cancellation in Anderson. “We’re truly disappointed we won’t be bringing the show to Anderson. Our fans work hard for their money, and we refuse to put on a show that doesn’t meet the standard they deserve,” the event organizer’s statement continued.
The festival team also addressed public speculation surrounding the event’s messaging and lineup, noting that Rock The Country is not intended to be a political event. Instead, organizers said the festival focuses on celebrating country music and small-town culture. “Our focus remains where it’s always been: supporting our artists, honoring our fans, and delivering unforgettable nights throughout the country. The shows ahead represent the heart of what Rock the Country stands for: music, community, and pride in where we come from.”
Their goal is to bring stadium-style productions to towns that wouldn’t normally have access to shows of that scale. Rock The Country says their focus is on the music, not the political views of any artists on the lineup.
“Rock The Country was built to honor the communities that don’t always get the spotlight, but show up with heart every single time,” Nathan Baugh, CEO and Partner of Peachtree Entertainment, previously shared at the time of the event’s announcement. “As we look ahead to 2026 and America’s 250th anniversary, we are raising the bar across the entire tour with bigger lineups, more intentional fan experiences, and meaningful investments in comfort and production,” Shane Quick, President of Live Events, added. “This is not just a tour. It is a celebration of the people, places, and music that define this country.”
Their statement concluded, “Loving America isn’t political; it’s who we are.”
While Rock The Country Anderson has unfortunately been canceled, the other scheduled festival dates will move forward as planned. Rock the Country is expected to kick off in May with its first show taking place in Bellville, Texas. The festival will span seven weekends across the South, bringing massive shows to small towns with lineups featuring Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Hank Williams Jr., Ella Langley, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jon Pardi, Staind, Brantley Gilbert, Gavin Adcock, Nelly, Hudson Westbrook, Chris Janson, Chase Matthew, Austin Snell, Ashley Cooke, Josh Turner, and many more.
The seven cities Rock The Country will visit this summer and fall can be found below:
- Bellville, TX — Austin County Fairgrounds, May 1–2, 2026
- Bloomingdale, GA — Ottawa Farms, May 29–30, 2026
- Sioux Falls, SD — W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, June 27–28, 2026
- Ashland, KY — Boyd County Fairgrounds, July 10–11, 2026
- Hastings, MI — Barry Expo Center, August 8–9, 2026
- Ocala, FL — Florida Horse Park, August 28–29, 2026
- Hamburg, NY — Erie County Fairgrounds, September 11–12, 2026
Individual lineups for each city are available now at rockthecountry.com.
