The Oakland Post

Kid Rock announces tour to benefit charity

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The Kid Rock Foundation is extending their Detroit pride with the launch of the Kid Rock “Care” tour by reaching out to charities across the nation in an effort to support those in need.

In 2008, Rock established the Kid Rock Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money to benefit and raise awareness of local and regional charities.

With the release of his new single “Care” on his recently launched album “Born Free,” Rock set the stage for a tour unlike any other.

Rock came up with the idea for the tour to coincide with the launch of his new single ‘Care’ from his 2010 platinum selling
album ‘Born Free.’ At each stop of the tour, the Kid Rock Foundation will donate money to a local charity with the help and support of local radio stations.

“Coming from someone who works at a radio station, philanthropic events like that are always a big part of what we like to do,” Emily Cutlip, communication major, and Assistant Program Director at WXOU said. “It is always beneficial to have a big name like Kid Rock attached to your organization.”

Rock will also be visiting smaller venues like the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville and the Beacon Theatre in New York. This shows a change from Rock’s ‘Born Free Tour’ which had him playing some of the countries biggest venues.

“I think going to small venues is awesome, just to support the little guys,” Patrick Cymbalski, French major and WXOU DJ, said. “There is also more personal interaction between the artist and the crowd, so it feels more genuine.”

Elyse Ruen, OU graduate and J.R. Turnbull Communications employee, has been working on the ‘Care’ tour. She has been given the task of making sure the foundation’s money goes to benefit those in need for the ‘Care’ tour.

“My job is to work with the radio stations in each city he is performing in, and they help recommend different charities within those cities that they want Kid Rock to give money to,” Ruen said.

The Kid Rock Foundation has dedicated much of their efforts to helping disadvantaged children, victims of war and natural disasters and those suffering from illness.

“I talk with the charities and tell them what Kid Rock is doing and they fill out an application,” Ruen said. “All of the applications go in front of Kid Rock and he decides which charities he will give to.”

The charities Rock handpicked show their gratitude by writing a letter to thank the foundation for their support.

“Each charity is submitting personal stories of who the money has gone to, so you really get to see from the perspective of the people the money is helping, so it is not just going into a fund and you have no idea who it is benefitting,” Ruen said.

Kid Rock travels the nation on his “Care” tour, with his first stop in Atlanta, Georgia on Nov. 10.

“I think anything he has to do with charity is awesome and I think it’s super sincere, especially now that he has been doing it for a while,” Cymbalski said. “I’m looking forward to see how that all works out.”