Many of Kid Rock's fans have been waiting for this concert "All Summer Long."
(For those unfamiliar with Kid Rock's music, that's a song from his album, "Rock N Roll Jesus.")
"[I love] just his energy. He's a bad boy," said Connie Fagerli, 42, of Downingtown.
On Friday night, Kid Rock stepped onto the stage at the Hersheypark Stadium to perform for a crowd of more than 12,000.
"It's about time," said Wendy Kauffman, 46, of Middletown. "I just couldn't believe they booked [Kid Rock]."
"He's controversial," Kauffman added. "They're very docile around here."
Kid Rock's music is classified as a blend of classic rock, country and, at times, hip-hop. The Hershey venue offers solid rock and country shows, with acts Blink-182, Creed and Keith Urban scheduled for August, said Vikki Hultquist, director of event booking, marketing and ticketing for Hershey Entertainment.
But there have been fewer offerings for hip-hop fans, with a performance by 50 Cent at the Giant Center a couple of years ago being the most recent, she said.
Friday's concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd was Kid Rock's first appearance at Hershey, and his only stop in Pennsylvania with his current tour, Hultquist said.
"It's good to be back in Pennsylvania," he told the audience.
Among his fans, Kid Rock is admired for his edge, his talent and his rebelliousness. They describe his music as different, fun and honest.
"He writes his own music, his stories are real, and he puts on a hell of a show," said Jake Warchola, 46, of Virginia.
"He just does a little bit of everything," said Lonnie Coy, 31, of Morgantown. "A little rock, a little rap, blues."
Those diverse styles attract a diverse fan base. Friday's concert-goers arrived in sedans, campers and limos. They wore cowboy hats and Michael Kors.
"I don't think there is a 'typical Kid Rock fan,' " Coy said.
"My dad listens to him, and my nephew listens to him. There's a 40-year age gap there," said Becky Sluder, 31, of Morgantown.
Zac Cutchall of Carlisle has been a fan of Kid Rock since he was in elementary school. The 23-year-old owns every CD since "Devil without a Cause," which was released in 1998, but Friday's show was his first Kid Rock concert. He was hoping to hear live versions of some of his favorite songs, "So Hott" and "Warrior."
Warchola saw Kid Rock perform in Erie in 2000. He said he's been a fan of the musician for almost 10 years, attracted by Kid Rock's musical versatility as much as his appeal as a regular guy.
"He's just one of us. When you watch his show, you walk out and you're energized and you feel good," Warchola said.
[via PennLive.com]
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