Detroit sensation Kid Rock returns to Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on March 8 at 8:00 p.m. in support of his new album and same-named “Born Free Tour.” The show will also feature special guest Jamey Johnson, whose new album The Guitar Song has been drawing rave reviews from fans and critics, alike. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 10 at noon.
Kid Rock, a.k.a., Robert James Ritchie, explored his love for music at age 11 when he bought a cheap belt-driven turntable after seeing the success of groups such as Run DMC and The Beastie Boys. Ritchie began DJ-ing local parties in return for beer. It was at this stage of his life that he was dubbed “Kid Rock” because fans had enjoyed watching “that white kid rock.” He soon started rapping and joined a hip-hop group, The Beast Crew that landed a record deal at age 17.
His solo debut, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, was released in 1990. Two more albums – The Polyfuze Method (1991) and an EP called Fire It Up! (1994) followed, but it wasn’t until 1998’s Devil Without a Cause that Rock piqued the critics’ and publics’ interest.
A chance meeting at a New York nightclub with MTV VJ Carson Daly led to more exposure for Rock on MTV. A slot on the Limptropolis Tour with fellow rap-rockers Limp Bizkit and Staind helped his momentum. He performed a medley of classic songs with Aerosmith and Run DMC at MTV’s 1999 Video Music Awards, as well as at Woodstock 1999. He released three more singles from the album: “Cowboy,” “Only God Knows Why,” and “Wasting Time” that propelled Devil Without a Cause to more than 11 million copies sold. By the year’s end, Kid Rock was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Rock’s next album, Cocky (2001) featured “Picture,” a country-influenced duet with Sheryl Crow that strengthened album sales to five million. His eponymous album released in 2003, delved even deeper into country music with a cover of Bad Company’s, “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” the blues-influenced “Jackson, Mississippi” and the ode to his son, “Single Father,” which would go on to become his second country hit. Also in 2003, VH1 aired A Kid Rock Christmas. The program featured Rock performing classic tracks along with several new tunes from his self-titled release. The following year, he performed at Super Bowl XXXVIII and received criticism and notoriety for his choice to wear the American flag as a poncho
Other Kid Rock releases include Live Trucker (2006) and Rock N Roll Jesus (2007) the latter of which became his first #1 album. It stayed in the charts for 100 weeks, becoming the biggest selling rock album of 2008. The single “All Summer Long” hit #1 in eight countries.
Kid Rock recently hosted the CMT Awards and has performed at the Grammys, VMAs, EMAs, CMAs and Hip Hop Honors awards programs. He has performed for and visited troops overseas numerous times, and remains one of entertainment’s most vocal supporters of our soldiers abroad. In the past year, he has entered into a unique partnership with Jim Beam, while at the same time expanding his philanthropic efforts through his own Kid Rock Foundation.
Tickets cost $66 (General Admission Standing Room Only), $56, and $46 (Reserved Seats)*; All seats are reserved and available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office, open Tuesday – Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and on Sunday & Monday – only open on event days at noon. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one-hour prior to show start time. *Additional fees may apply.
Hard Rock Live, a spectacular state-of-the-art facility has quickly emerged as the entertainment capital of South Florida. Attracting music, comedy and sports fans, this 5,500-seat indoor arena further expands the ultimate entertainment experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. For more information please visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com