KidRock Community

Photo Credit: WGRZ.com

A somewhat unlikely hero has helped a Western New York family in need.

Kid Rock played a show at Town Ballroom Sunday night as part of a tour meant to have his foundation help out other cities.

And through a donation to the Boys and Girls club, one local family who has spent the last 10 months homeless will now be able to have an apartment to call their own.

Robert Yacone tells us it's been tough to keep things going after his wife left him and his three children. "But unfortunate too when we arrived back in town.. I've had tragedy too. My brother was killed on a motorcycle September 17th, at 40-years-old, on a country road, hit a deer... so I don't what else could have gotten worse for me. And then tonight to win this, it's just so much of a fairy tale."

During the press conference, Kid Rock said, "I'm a big believer that when enough people get together and care about anything, that the human spirit's very powerful, and can change things."

Grants were also given out to Music is Art, Gauches Unite and Special Spaces.

SOURCE: WGRZ.com

Photo Credit: WIVB.com.

Kenmore East music student Sam Speciale has been using a 1950’s style jazz trombone that’s much older than most of the staff at his high school.

The 17-year-old senior was in desperate need of a modern, new trombone with a symphonic horn, an extra rotor valve, and deeper sound, for college next year. His more than 60-year old trombone, which he rents for 30-dollars per year, is not sufficient for playing at the college level.

Little did Speciale know that he will in fact be heading to college next year with a brand new trombone thanks to one the world’s best know rock, rap, and country crossover musicians.

Prior to “Kid Rock’s concert at the Town Ballroom on Sunday, November 20th, 2011, the Detroit born rocker held a press conference where he donated a $5,000 music scholarship to three Kenmore East High School students, including Speciale, through the Music is Art program. Proceeds from his current concert tour are being donated through the “Kid Rock Foundation.”

Speciale along with Kenmore East High School music students Richard Gavadin and Brendon Grabowski, will split the $5,000 music scholarship. Speciale will receive a brand new trombone. The remaining funds will be split so the three can receive private lessons from a musical professional.

“I’m a high school student. I can’t afford a new trombone. There’s no way I can use the one I have now at college. I’m thrilled with getting a new instrument. What Kid Rock is doing, donating money from all his concerts to students who want to be as famous as he is, is just great,” added Speciale.

“It was a thrill for our students just to be able to meet a globally known rock legend. It is even greater that they can become better musicians thanks to Kid Rock’s generosity,” said Kenmore East High School Band Director and Music Teacher Phil Aguglia.

Read the full article at WIVB.com.

Here are more highlights from a phone interview Kid Rock did with 'Michigan Live' prior to his performance at the 'Allegan County Fair' on Saturday.

Kid Rock said he never wanted to be a businessman just "sing songs and drive a cool car."

"But I'm more in the mix than I've ever been," Kid Rock said of the business side of his career.

For example, he said he thought the prices of concert T-shirts were too high. For the last few shows of his "Born Free Tour," he slashed the prices in half on some merchandise items, as will be the case at the Allegan County Fair. He said some merchandise booths have a sign reading, "F--- the economy, all shirts are half off." It's part of his own mini-campaign to make his shows more affordable for fans, something he plans to address with the powers that be. He said costs needed to be lowered, including his own take.

"We don't have to rip everybody off," he said. "I know I'm overpaid."

And it didn't sound like Kid Rock is paying lip-service. He said he'd also like to toss out convenience charges on ticket orders, another battle he plans to pursue in the future.

"The next couple years are going to be interesting," he said, as if making a promise.

Musically, Kid Rock said he's getting "mentally prepared" to record another album. "Born Free" was produced by Rick Rubin and although Kid Rock said in a Rolling Stone magazine interview that he'd like to work with the famous hitmaker again, the location of the process may be a sticking point. Kid Rock wants to record in Michigan; Rubin doesn't like the idea, Kid Rock said.

"We might not be doing the next one together," he said.

In the meantime, Kid Rock sounds as if he's twiddling his thumbs at home. He has plans to build a barn on his property. Actually, to "smoke cigars, drink beer and yell at contractors."

Kid Rock said he's also seriously considering a tour of small clubs - in the neighborhood of 1,500 seats per venue. He's eyeballing November and December for the tour. Why?

"I'm just bored. I have nothing to do right now," he said. "It's been so long since I've done that stuff ... play some obscure stuff for the long-time fans."

Kid Rock said he wants to play these small gigs all over the U.S. and create a "shit storm in each town."

Read the full interview of this great article at MLive.com.

Kid Rock's 'Born Free' album has been certified platinum by the 'Recording Industry Association Of America' (RIAA) for selling more than one million copies! This great achievement gives Rock his sixth Platinum album certification!

The Rick Rubin produced record released in November 2010, features an all-star lineup of special guests including Martina McBride, T.I., Sheryl Crow, Bob Seger and Zac Brown.

The album is available in record stores everywhere and online!

Congratulations Rock and thank you fans for your support in his music!

Kid Rock donated a total of $50,000 Monday to five Detroit area charities, fulfilling a promise the musician made to support his hometown.

Rock announced the donation earlier this month during the Detroit NAACP branch's annual fundraising dinner. Some had criticized Rock, who received the group's Great Expectations Award, for displaying the Confederate flag during on-stage performances.

During his acceptance speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Rock said his use of the flag had nothing to do with how he feels about blacks, and he pulled out the checks and said he would give them to the five groups. He officially handed over the money during an afternoon ceremony at Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's office.

After Bing praised Rock's generosity and turned the proceedings over to him, the musician stepped to the podium, looked around and asked: "What am I supposed to do?"

Bing laughed and quickly said: "You can write some more checks if you want to."

"I can do that!" Rock said.

The money donated Monday will support city recreation centers, a conservancy on Belle Isle, a youth theater group, a youth training agency and Habitat for Humanity.

Rock, who was born Robert Ritchie and grew up in Macomb County, Mich., is known for dabbling in a variety of musical styles, from hip-hop and hard rock to country and Southern rock. He counts as his biggest hits, "Picture," "All Summer Long," "Bawitdaba" and "Born Free."

The 40-year-old also is known for his philanthropy and love of the Detroit area. At Monday's event, he sported a baseball cap featuring the logo of his "Made in Detroit" apparel line.

"I'm just happy I could do it. I've been blessed and very successful," Rock said. "This city and its surrounding areas have given me a lot."

Asked how the kids at the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit reacted when they heard about Rock's gift, founder and chief executive Rick Sperling, said "they were over the moon."

Judith Jackson, president and chief executive of YouthVille Detroit, was equally pleased with her group's gift and thankful for its benefactor.

"It means an awful lot," she said. "It's tough for all nonprofits right now."

Bing used the occasion to point out that Detroiters of all different socio-economic backgrounds, not just well-off rock stars, have the ability to give back to their community.

"We need more people like this who just care about people," Bing said. "All of us aren't blessed with the kind of resources he has, but we have to respect and appreciate people who have the resources and are willing to share it."

Rock hinted that more donations could be on the way.

"This is just the start," he said.

Photo Credit: Carlos Osorio / Associated Press

SOURCE: Mike Householder / Associated Press

Here is the official music video of "Collide" feat.Sheryl Crow courtesy of the official Kid Rock YouTube channel.

"Collide" is Kid Rock's second single off his 'Born Free' album available in stores and online!

"More than anything, I'm delighted he lived this long."

— Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

"I first met Bob back in the early '90s, he was down at White Room Studios ... He would get studio time in exchange for being the janitor, which meant sweeping up and scrubbing out the toilet. Bob brought a turntable and a crate of records up to the Bear's Den in Berkley and jammed with the Howling Diablos, he showed up every week after that and we always had a great time making music."

— Tino Gross, Howling Diablos

"He's a rock star to the core, for sure, but he's also a really sweet guy and a great rep for Detroit. "

— Erin Cummings, Detroit 1-8-7 actress

"In 1996, we were sitting in his basement listening to records. He put on Folsom Prison Blues ... we were like wtf?? He said 'See, country is just like rap. They sing about shooting guns, getting wasted and beating the shit out of dudes!'

— Mark EP, DJ and producer

"Not only has he become the biggest thing in Detroit, he has become one of the biggest names on the planet. And most importantly, he has not forgotten where he came from. He has been a loyal friend over the years and a staunch supporter of the 'D.' I appreciate all the shows he did at the Emerald for me, and I am proud to say I know him."

— Joe Nieporte

"It was probably 1999 ... Bob was technically a studio intern, but he spent most of the time working on his own music. Anyway, he was working on a song, and a bunch of us at the studio were giving him shit about it: 'Who wants to hear a song about a cowboy?!' In hindsight, I guess a lot of people would."

— Al Sutton, Kid Rock's longtime recording engineer and owner of Rustbelt Studios

"We were backstage after one of his shows, and there's probably about eight people hanging out, including a group of girls. And in this group is one girl, it was clear she wanted attention. She keeps going 'Rock star, Rock star, I'm bored.' Now, this is 10 minutes after Rock just got off stage. Rock looks at her and asks, 'You like to be entertained?' And she says, 'Yes, Rock star, I'm bored.' And Rock, in his perfect Kid Rock voice says, 'You didn't see the show?' Everyone started dying, his timing and delivery was perfect.

— JB Carlin, director of the "Picture" video

"When he told me that Axl Rose called him and invited him to New York to Axl's show, knowing that I'm a huge Axl Rose fan, Rock said 'I got a seat on the jet. You want to go?' We ended up hanging out for three days straight, leaving the clubs at 11 in the morning."

— Mikey Eckstein, Embarco Management

"A work ethic that defies reason; talent beyond description; and a damn good guy."

— Arthur Penhallow Jr., Punch Enterprises

"Lots of hanging out around the crib making amazing music and partying my ass off ... thoroughly peppered with private jets to Nashville to hang with Hank and weekends in NYC to roll with Axl. For a kid that just came from flipping burgers, this was the most magical time in my life."

— Ty Stone, musician

"The first time I ever saw Bob perform was on MTV for 1999's Woodstock. I was 14. Not only did he leave my jaw on the floor with his swagger and stage presence, but it was one of the first times I heard something new from my generation that made me excited for music's future."

— Shannon Curfman, singer

Photo Credit: Real Detroit Weekly

SOURCE: RealDetroitWeekly.com

Kid Rock’s Aug. 12 concert at Comerica Park will be a daylong celebration of Detroit, the hometown star said today while announcing the show.

Rock revealed details at a media event this morning at Belle Isle’s beach, after paddle surfing across the Detroit River with hockey pals Nick Lidstrom and Chris Chelios — introduced by Rock as “my new security detail.”

Sammy Hagar & the Wabos have been enlisted as show opener, and will link up with Rock and his Twisted Brown Trucker band for a night-closing jam.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. June 11 at Tickets.com, the stadium box office and select Meijer stores. Seats will be $30, $49.50 and $79.50, with upper deck six-packs available for $99. Details on VIP packages, which will include a customized Kid Rock-Detroit Tigers jersey, will be announced. Kid Rock Congregation members should stay tuned to The KRC homepage for more information about a presale when it is available.

A sellout would likely activate a second show, for Aug. 13.

That would make three Detroit stadium performances this year for Rock, who celebrated his 40th birthday in January with a sellout concert at Ford Field.

The Free Press reported in April that Rock was aiming for an August return to Comerica Park, scene of a successful two-day stand in 2009 — his biggest hometown shows to date. Rock got fans buzzing last week with an online hint about pending Comerica Park news.

Like that 2009 stand, this summer’s concert will include a free daylong party outside the stadium, probably with a local-band stage, vendors, games and a Bad Ass Beer garden. Other elements — like the motocross exhibition and car show of ’09 — may not be in the mix.

“What really made it (good) last time was the people … the characters you get in the city,” Rock said.

Rock said he could make more money with a stint of shows at DTE Energy Music Theatre, where he performed last summer.

But “it’s not about that,” he said. “It’s about coming down to Detroit and trying to create something.”

“I look it as an excuse for people to come down and enjoy the city,” he said. “I kind of look at it like a (Tigers) opening day.”

Kid Rock dished up a few other tidbits today:

• After accumulating years’ worth of concert footage, he expects to finally release some sort of live video by Christmas, possibly online. Rock has filmed most of his big shows, including the 2009 Comerica Park dates and last month’s set at the New Orleans jazz fest — “one of my best performances to date.” “I’ve got kind of a complex about putting out live stuff, because I feel like I keep getting better every show,” he said.

• Rock’s Comedy Central roast, which had been announced for Aug. 14 in Detroit, may be off the books because of “shakeups” at the network. Rock said officials have asked to tape the event elsewhere; he declined. “I’m not going to go to L.A. or Las Vegas to get teased,” he said. “If they come to Detroit, the roast will be on.”

• Arrangements for the third-annual Chillin’ the Most Cruise are underway, and Rock expects an announcement soon. The 2012 edition will likely include a single beach concert at an island destination, rather than multiple onboard performances as he’s done on the previous two cruises.

Rock said the morning’s paddleboard arrival was conceived late Wednesday by Chelios, an enthusiast of stand-up paddle surfing.

“I thought it was a good way to showcase Detroit and Belle Isle,” said Rock.

Rock, Chelios and Lidstrom posed on their paddleboards for photographers before heading back out across the Detroit River.

Before taking off, Rock pointed journalists to a nearby cooler. It was packed with Bad Ass Beer.

Kid Rock's latest album, "Born Free," has been out barely seven months, but he's hatching plans for its successor.

"We've already started writing for the next record and talking about the feel and where we want to go with it," Rock told Billboard.com during a press conference Thursday announcing an Aug. 12 stadium show in his home town of Detroit. "I think 'Born Free' was kind of a transitional record with [producer] Rick Rubin and going into the rootsy, American blues/rock 'n' roll vibe. I'd kind of like to go back to something like maybe a 'Cocky' feel -- that record, but knowing more now and trying to put those elements together."

Rock says he's particularly aiming for a blend of "some really good, fun rock songs to some of the country stuff to some of the mix of hip-hop and rock and blues and try to make a nice mix of a record. But a fun record, not serious. Rick Rubin made me a little serious."

Rock stressed that he's still in the beginning stages of a next album but added that, "I'd like to get it out sooner than later -- but I say that every record. I'd love to get it out for next summer. Is that gonna happen? I don't know. I'm getting the process down where you go in with a lot of great musicians and just lay it down; there's not all this wizardry and trickery on the computer. If that process works again, it'll be sooner rather than later."

Rock has plenty of other things on his plate for the summer, of course. After a June 18 show in Atlantic City he hits the road with special guest Sheryl Crow on June 2 in Cincinnati. He'll also be hosting the CMT Music Awards for a second consecutive year on June 8 in Nashville. "I'm happy to be asked back," Rock said. "I thought it went pretty good last year and I kinda wanted to duck out this year, but it's tough to say no to MTV Networks and Viacom when their ratings were good and they want you back. I definitely look forward to the performance part. We've got kind of a fun intro that's either gonna be really good or really bad."

Rock's other future plan includes coming to terms with video footage he's accumulated over the years and possibly making some commercially available in the near future. "It's something I struggle with," he acknowledged. "I've probably shot six DVDs, professionally, had them edited and everything. But it's like anything; if you go see a sporting event or whatever, it's always better live. It's just tough to capture it on tape."

Nevertheless, Rock promised that "there will be something... I think for Christmas" and possibly from his recent show at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which he called "one of my best performances to date." He added that he may also consider releasing live footage via his web site.

One thing Rock won't be doing, however, is a Comedy Central roast that was slated for Aug. 14 at Detroit's Fox Theatre. Rock said that the cable network wanted to switch the location, and he felt adamant that it be held in Detroit. "I'm not going to go to L.A. or Las Vegas to get teased," he explained. "If they come to Detroit and create some commerce here... and bring their big production and they're putting people to work, bring it on. If they come to Detroit, the roast will be on. If they don't, no deal."

SOURCE: Gary Graff / Billboard.com

Kid Rock covers the July issue of Men's Journal, and in it he talks about his lifestyle, turning 40, and his commitment to Detroit.

Some highlights from the Rock story:

On his Kid Rock Chillin' the Most Cruise: "I didn't know what to expect. I said it was either going to be the best time of my life or the absolute worst. And it was the best. It was one of the best times I've ever had. An absolute riot."

On his taste in movies: Rock isn't a fan of "the Hilary Swank movie where you walk out of there with tears and just feel terrible. I can't handle it. I just want to see somebody fall off a ladder, the boy and girl go home to a big pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and feel great about myself. I don't want any drama in my life — not even in a (expletive) movie. Not even when it's… What's fake? Is it fiction? Even if it's fiction, I don't want it. I just want to be happy and have fun."

On cleaning up his lifestyle, to a point: "Whatever your thing is, if it's pills, cocaine, smoking weed, when you slow that down — which I've done a lot of — you've got to relearn how to drink. That's the (expletive) hardest part. You used to be able to go all night. Finding that balance has been interesting. I still black out here and there, but nothing too serious."

On partying in Malibu: The story makes reference to celebrity parties at his Malibu house with invitees that include Sean Penn, Scarlett Johansson, Mary J. Blige and Zac Efron.

On working out with surfer Laird Hamilton: "Laird's running the show. He's the guy yelling at you the whole time. (Chris Chelios) won't work out with him because he yells at him too much. He leaves me alone a little bit because he knows I'm the skinny kid in the rock band, but he's real fun to work out with."

On helping Detroit: "You don't want Kid Rock making public policy. Well, some people might. I just see where I can help out, which is to inspire and raise funds and things like that."

On his image in Detroit: "I really care about what people think of me in this town, because my son is here, my family is here, my roots are here. I don't (care) anywhere else, but here I'm very conscious of it."

The issue hits newsstands Friday.

Photo Credit: Men's Journal / MensJournal.com

SOURCE: Adam Graham / Detroit News Pop Music Writer

Last weekend, Kid Rock kicked off the summer leg of his Born Free tour with a hits-filled set that included several duets with opener Sheryl Crow and a production that included giant American flags, four strippers and plenty of pyro. "I don't think myself or my band has ever sounded or played better," Rock told Rolling Stone recently. "I'm 40. I'm not going to be at the top of my game forever, but I am right now."

Click here to read the entire story @ RollingStone.com!