In a heartfelt moment during a recent performance, Kid Rock paid tribute to the memory of the late Charlie Kirk. The rock artist, aged 54, took a pause to honor the prominent right-wing activist during his concert at the Hondo Rodeo Fest in Arizona on November 8. This moving gesture was reported by Taste of Country on November 12.

Filling in for country musician Cody Johnson, who was recovering from surgery on a ruptured eardrum, Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, took the stage with a unique purpose. As he performed Johnson’s acoustic hit, “Til You Can’t,” he stopped after the first verse to share a personal story with the audience.

“A few weeks ago, I woke up alone early on a Sunday morning and had this song stuck in my head,” Rock revealed to the crowd, his voice carrying a tone of quiet reflection. He described a moment of inspiration, saying, “And in that moment, someone or something spoke to me and told me there was still a verse missing from this song, and to get up and write it down. So I did. And now, I know exactly who was speaking to me that morning.”

This poignant dedication comes in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s untimely death in September at the age of 31, marking a significant loss for those in his community and beyond. Meanwhile, Kid Rock continues to make waves not only with his performances but also with his controversial actions, as he reportedly brandished a handgun during a recent interview with Rolling Stone, further cementing his reputation for unpredictability.

Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs Kid Rock is making headlines for what he said and did during his latest interview. During a sit-down chat with Rolling Stone, the country singer (whose real name is Robert James Ritchie) allegedly pulled out a handgun and waved it around mid-interview. “Ritchie has exchanged his white wine for […]

An image of Kirk then flashed on the screens behind Rock, according to the outlet Music Mayhem.

In the new verse, Rock sang: “There’s a book that is sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off / There’s a man that died for all our sins / Hanging from the cross / You can give your life to Jesus / And he’ll give you a second chance / ’Til you can’t, ’til you can’t.”

Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The Turning Point USA cofounder died after being transported to a local hospital. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.

Accused gunman Tyler Robinson turned himself into police two days after the shooting. He has yet to enter a plea to charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and violent offense committed in the presence of a child.

Morgan Wallen honored Charlie Kirk and his family during a concert over the weekend. While performing at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium on Friday, September 12, Wallen, 32, dedicated his song “I’m a Little Crazy” to the Kirk family. “I’m not gonna say a whole bunch on this, but this song right here has been hitting me […]

Last month, Rock spoke about Kirk’s death during an appearance on Fox News. 

“It’s terrible that something like this had to happen to really bring everyone back to their faith — and even someone like myself who’s always been very spiritual, but even more so in the last several weeks,” he stated on the October 10 episode of The Ingraham Angle. “I find myself writing those songs, and I’ve been writing a Gospel album for the last year, working on a Gospel album, so it’s not anything new, but yes, I have a lot of faith and hope in the younger generation.”

The “Cowboy” singer is a vocal conservative. Earlier this year, he performed at President Donald Trump’s inauguration alongside fellow country acts Jason Aldean, Billy Ray Cyrus and Carrie Underwood. 

Since stepping into the spotlight with his breakthrough album, Devil Without a Cause, Rock has built a reputation for his unfiltered, rough-around-the-edges persona.

Rocking the boat? Kid Rock has made headlines for his controversial behavior and remarks over the years. When the “All Summer Long” musician was honored with the Detroit NAACP branch’s Great Expectations Award in May 2011, critics argued that the Michigan native’s habit of displaying Confederate flags at his shows conflicted with the organization’s values. […]

During a 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, the singer allegedly pulled out a handgun and waved it around in front of the writer asking him questions.

“Ritchie has exchanged his white wine for Jim Beam and Diet Coke. He proceeds to drain at least three or four of them in pretty quick succession,” reporter David Peisner claimed in his article published in May of that year. “He’s sitting in a dark leather chair, shouting at me about something or other, when he reaches behind the seat, pulls out a black handgun and waves it around to make some sort of point.”

Peisner added that Rock told him, “I got a f***ing goddamn gun right here if I need it! I got them everywhere!”