Kid Rock debuts new cover song during 'All American' halftime show
Published in Entertainment News
Kid Rock headlined Turning Point USA's "All American Halftime Show" on Sunday, which was set up as a MAGA-alternative to Bad Bunny's halftime show at the Super Bowl.
Performing on what looked like the "American Idol" stage if it was set up inside an airplane hangar, Rock was introduced as "our homie" and performed the first verse of "Bawitdaba," his 1999 breakthrough hit. Dressed in jean shorts, a white fur coat, a black fedora and lowtop white sneakers, Rock screamed "my name is Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid" as an American flag unfurled behind him and became the backdrop to his stage.
His second song was a cover of Cody Johnson's 2021 hit "Til You Can't," a song about not putting off what you can do today, and appreciating the things you have. Rock — re-introduced to the stage as "our brother, Robert Ritchie" — tacked on a new verse at the end of the song, relating to the importance of the Bible, receiving cheers from the assembled studio audience when he mentioned Jesus.
On social media, Rock announced his studio version of the song will be available to stream beginning at midnight.
That was the capper of the 35-minute show, which was announced earlier in the week and drew around 6 million live viewers on YouTube, according to viewership statistics attached to the video. It was also carried on several right-wing news networks.
The country-leaning show began with Brantley Gilbert's guitarist playing a solo electric version of the National Anthem. Gilbert, the Georgia-bred country singer, opened his set with "Real American," as he performed on the shiny stage, surrounded by spotlights, bursts of fire and shooting flames. He followed it with his rapped-sung "Dirt Road Anthem."
Former "American Idol" contestant Gabby Barrett — she finished in third place on the show in 2018 — followed with "I Hope" and "The Good Ones," and Lee Brice performed a three-song set, starting with "Drinking Class."
He rolled into "It Ain't Easy Being Country in this Country Nowadays," receiving cheers from the crowd when he sang, "if I tell my own daughter that little boys ain't little girls, I'll be up a creek in hot water in this cancel-your-ass world."
Brice mentioned Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk when introducing the song.
"Charlie, he gave people microphones so they could say what's on their mind," he said. "This is what's on mine."
Following Rock's performance, the "All American Halftime Show" closed with a photo and video tribute to Kirk, the conservative activist who was assassinated in September 2025.
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