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The rules according to Kid Rock

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    The rules according to Kid Rock
    Posted by
    June 19, 2008

    The rules according to Kid Rock

    By Ian Youngs

    Music reporter, BBC News

    Kid Rock's first album was released 18 years ago and he is now 37

    He has sold more than 20 million albums, had a short-lived marriage to Pamela Anderson and gained a reputation as one of rock's biggest party animals.
    Kid Rock is one of music's most successful, outspoken and colourful characters.
    His latest album Rock 'n' Roll Jesus went to number one in the US and his new single All Summer Long is out in the UK next month.

    Here, Kid Rock reveals his top five commandments for making music and surviving as a star.

    'START WITH THE SONGS'

    It all starts from a good song.
    That's what equals success in this business - good songs and good music that connects with the people. Trying to get it through the powers that be to get to the people, that's the hard part. But a good song will always break down those walls.
    I don't think there's any secret to putting on a great show - it all stems from good songs. Once you have good songs, it's about crafting your trade.

    'ENJOY THE FRUITS OF SUCCESS'

    I look at it every day that I'm the most fortunate person on earth.

    I enjoy it and I have fun, but at the end of the day I try not to hurt anyone and really enjoy life.
    Honestly, what I like to do on the road is enjoy the fruits of our success. I like to take people to dinner. I like to take my band and friends to dinner and pay for it and enjoy being around them because they're like family.
    Sometimes I like to close down the pool at the hotel we're staying at and have some fans over and everybody gets naked and goes for a swim.

    'STAND BY YOUR FRIENDS'

    Always stand up for what you believe in.
    I stick by my friends and family, through thick and thin.

    Rock 'n' Roll Jesus was number one in the US in November

    Even if somebody did something wrong who was close to me, I would take their side and pull them aside later and tell them that they were wrong. But I would always stand by them in the moment.

    That causes a lot of problems, but those problems are what make you stronger. You need some scars, some cuts for people to identify, especially when you're in the public eye, for people to know who you are.

    That translates to my music, which is I think why I've been so successful because people believe me when they hear my music and they see me that that's really me.

    'HANG OUT WITH DECORATORS'

    I'm a skilled craftsman in my trade.
    I look in the mirror and look at other musicians and say: 'Am I as good as them, am I better?' And I always thought I was.

    And I always surround myself with good people. My dad always told me: 'If you want to be a painter, don't hang out with a carpenter.'
    So I surrounded myself with the best painters that I could and I've tried to learn from them.

    'STEAL EVERYTHING'

    I don't mind people stealing my music, that's fine. But I think they should steal everything.
    You know how much money Tommy Hilfiger has? If you need a new laptop or a new iPod, you know how much money Steve Jobs and Apple have?

    If you're going to steal music, steal everything. You know how much money the oil companies have? If you need some gas, just go fill your tank up and drive off, they're not going to miss it.
    Do I steal things? No, I don't steal things. I'm rich.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7461727.stm

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WebCrew's picture
on Thu, 06/19/2008 - 8:44am

The rules according to Kid Rock

By Ian Youngs

Music reporter, BBC News

Kid Rock's first album was released 18 years ago and he is now 37

He has sold more than 20 million albums, had a short-lived marriage to Pamela Anderson and gained a reputation as one of rock's biggest party animals.
Kid Rock is one of music's most successful, outspoken and colourful characters.
His latest album Rock 'n' Roll Jesus went to number one in the US and his new single All Summer Long is out in the UK next month.

Here, Kid Rock reveals his top five commandments for making music and surviving as a star.

'START WITH THE SONGS'

It all starts from a good song.
That's what equals success in this business - good songs and good music that connects with the people. Trying to get it through the powers that be to get to the people, that's the hard part. But a good song will always break down those walls.
I don't think there's any secret to putting on a great show - it all stems from good songs. Once you have good songs, it's about crafting your trade.

'ENJOY THE FRUITS OF SUCCESS'

I look at it every day that I'm the most fortunate person on earth.

I enjoy it and I have fun, but at the end of the day I try not to hurt anyone and really enjoy life.
Honestly, what I like to do on the road is enjoy the fruits of our success. I like to take people to dinner. I like to take my band and friends to dinner and pay for it and enjoy being around them because they're like family.
Sometimes I like to close down the pool at the hotel we're staying at and have some fans over and everybody gets naked and goes for a swim.

'STAND BY YOUR FRIENDS'

Always stand up for what you believe in.
I stick by my friends and family, through thick and thin.

Rock 'n' Roll Jesus was number one in the US in November

Even if somebody did something wrong who was close to me, I would take their side and pull them aside later and tell them that they were wrong. But I would always stand by them in the moment.

That causes a lot of problems, but those problems are what make you stronger. You need some scars, some cuts for people to identify, especially when you're in the public eye, for people to know who you are.

That translates to my music, which is I think why I've been so successful because people believe me when they hear my music and they see me that that's really me.

'HANG OUT WITH DECORATORS'

I'm a skilled craftsman in my trade.
I look in the mirror and look at other musicians and say: 'Am I as good as them, am I better?' And I always thought I was.

And I always surround myself with good people. My dad always told me: 'If you want to be a painter, don't hang out with a carpenter.'
So I surrounded myself with the best painters that I could and I've tried to learn from them.

'STEAL EVERYTHING'

I don't mind people stealing my music, that's fine. But I think they should steal everything.
You know how much money Tommy Hilfiger has? If you need a new laptop or a new iPod, you know how much money Steve Jobs and Apple have?

If you're going to steal music, steal everything. You know how much money the oil companies have? If you need some gas, just go fill your tank up and drive off, they're not going to miss it.
Do I steal things? No, I don't steal things. I'm rich.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7461727.stm

Comments

SherZ's picture

Thank U! Great advice. Peace, Luv & Rock n' Roll SherZ
Dean_16's picture

Kid is Da'Man.............sign me up for evrythang' !!!!!! I aint stealin' but I showam' Hustlin. Kid says you aint braggin' MF if you can back it up......yaowwwwwwww Keep on ROCKIN IT on the wheels of steel, DJ!!!!!!!!! Is it real, oh-a-oh my God, is it Real..... Let me hear you say DJayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! errrrrrrrrah Keep on ROCKin till the break of day!!!!!!!!!
Karen_164's picture

Bobby, As always I can appreciate all you comments and opinions. I understand where you are coming from and the points you are trying to make even if some shallow minded people who call themselves "fans" do not. To be a true fan (and a friend as you put it) you need to stick by the person right or wrong. I do not feel you have said anything wrong, not the point, point is I will always be fan, and wish I could be a friend, and I will appreciate you and your music always. I seem to relate to everything you write and know I can't possibly be alone. If people would not try to read so much into everything these days, always looking for an arguement, they would see what a great songwriter and person you truely are. You know you are blessed in this life you have earned and you don't take it for granted for even a second. I hope to party naked with you someday, but would really like to get to know you and all your friends. You just seem like a really sweet and caring individual as well as the fact you are very easy on this girls eyes. If you ever come through Iowa again, I would love to meet you. I own a bait shop there and would love to take you fishing. Bring Hank as my Mom and sis got the pleasure of meeting him in Montana and have been fans of his for years! My heart will always belong to you though even though I do enjoy Hanks music. I am one loyal girl and you will always be in my cd player in my truck! Your rock and roll angel, Karen
mahacarol's picture

LOL get over yourselves, kids are definately more hip with the scarcasm today. Hard work = money. If you are producing something that people want you need to get pay for it, end of story. This is exactly what he is saying. Where do we get off with this "entitled" attitude.
Fan_498's picture

I get the sarcasm too hopefully the young kids that listen to your music will too. Here is an idea why don't you artists that have the pull start your own site/company and sell non DRM high quality VBR mp3's music at a low price. You could charge a little more for lossless downloads and a premium for 24 bit downloads. You could then cut out all the record company bull and maybe even help the struggling musicians out there. I think that if a few major acts left their record companies and started ther own thing there could be a music revolution! Just my .02 from an old fart that does like your country side. CraigD
RayRay_2's picture

you people gotta be kidding! when he says go steal a pair of jeans he know its wrong and he knows you know its wrong and you wouldnt do that. most people dont care about stealing music cause they say the artist is rich and it wont hurt him none. what if everyone felt that way about everything the world would be a train wreck. he is not encouraging anyone to steal and the people that you say worship him and will do the things he said must not be very intelligent. the kid is just making a point and its one that i agree in principle. grim and rawraw stop being so uptight and look beneath the surface. rock&roll
Fan_500's picture

In addition - Remove my information since there is no 'unsubscribe' option on this site or email which violates Internet RFC laws in addition with U.S. Internet Protocol laws.
Fan_500's picture

I must agree with 'rawraw'. Kid, Please go after the people who 'screwed you' in the first place. The record companies/lables/iTunes - They are still making money. As for stealing things from Microsoft/Bill Gates - They/He gets PLENTY of pirated operating systems abused everday. Servers, workstations, managed applications... Millions and millions of dollars. More in one day than you see in a year. All due to the internet... As for hardware - iPods, Phones, gadgets - Plenty of hacked copies that do the exact same thing which no one got paid for whom own the rights. Blame Malaysia & again the internet. At least the record companies/labels/iTunes got paid for your music - and if they didn't than they should not have given out the distrubution license. Why not ask them "Why?" - The music WAS SOLD. One song at a time. I'll delete that one song for him even though I paid for it by why the F#c( does he care? He's rich. Don't encourage people to steal. I don't care if its sarcasm - the idiots who worship you will go out and do those dumb things and end up in jail. Nice job being a role model Kid. Lost my support and respect as an artist and a businessman. Keep Joking.
Fan_501's picture

Wow! Sounds like you've never heard of sarcasm. He's making a point. If you can steal from someone because they are rich and it is just something small, i.e. one little tune, where does it stop?
Fan_499's picture

I have appreciated Kid Rock until this point. I think it is fine for him to have opinions about his music, but his latest comments about stealing are not funny. I guess he has no desire to be a role model, but he already is for many of us. Telling people that stealing is okay is not okay! I have had it with him, and I plan to encourage friends to get over him also. I signed up, giving my mobile (5127893237) and email (ronboi@aol.com) to send this comment. Please remove me from everything. Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinion.