8 Times Kid Rock Was Sweeter Than You Thought
Kid Rock, otherwise known as Robert James Ritchie, is 44 years old today. The self-proclaimed King of White Trash has been the source of a few social blunders over the years -- the most recent one being his post for The Guardian, but despite these, the musician has done some pretty sweet things in his time. Don't believe us? Here's proof.
Rock has nothing but good words for fellow Michigan native Eminem. Check out what he had to say about the rapper in this episode of VH1 Rock Docs.
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He established the Kid Rock Foundation
Kid Rock brought the Kid Rock Foundation to life in 2008. Based in Michigan, the charity organization was founded upon the following philosophy:
I can't stop the war, shelter homeless, feed the poor. I can't walk on water. Can't save your songs and daughters. I can't change the world to make things fair. This is the least that I can do.
The 501 (c) 3 non profit focuses on helping "disadvantaged children, victims of war and natural disasters, and those suffering from illness."
He helped the Detroit Symphony Orchestra raise $1 million
Kid Rock played a two-hour concert with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in May of 2012. The concert was a benefit to raise money for the orchestra, which was suffering economically as well as from a musician's strike a couple of years prior. The pairing -- Kid Rock and the DSO -- was unlikely, but successful. They raised a million bucks that night.
He dedicated his mother's favorite song of his to her for Mother's Day
Kid Rock dedicated "Purple Sky," his mother's favorite song of his, to his mother while performing with the DSO. The dedication was timely, as it was Mother's Day.
He sent care packages to the troops overseas
Rock partnered with Operation Troop Aid for the second time in December to raise money for American troops overseas. He raised over $28,000 for the troops, according to his website, and sent them over 500 care packages. Rock received Operation Troop Aid's Patriot Award for his efforts.
He surprised a fan with Down's Syndrome on his 30th birthday
Dan McGurk, self-proclaimed "biggest fan" of Kid Rock, got a surprise visit from the musician while celebrating his 30th birthday at The Union Wood BBQ in Clarkston, Michigan. McGurk, who has Down's Syndrome, was shocked to see Rock, who brought out McGurk's birthday cake, sang to him, and stuck around after to hang out with his fan.
He appeared at an Atlanta Waffle House for a benefit
Kid Rock was arrested for battery in 2007 after getting into a fight outside of a Waffle House in Atlanta. He restored his dignity a year later when he returned with charitable intentions. Rock took part in a meet and greet at the Waffle House, donating the proceeds to Nicholas House, a local homeless shelter.
He thought selfies were called "FaceTweets"
Kid Rock's post for The Guardian is a goldmine of quotes. Some are alarming. He called rap rock "gay," for example, and insisted,"If someone tells you you can't say 'gay' like that you tell them to go fuck themselves." But in one section of his post, he referred to selfies as "FaceTweets." Rock admitted that he's out of touch with what's hip these days by calling himself an "old guy," but that he's "comfortable with that." Could his Facebook-Twitter mashup meant to describe a phenomenon in modern day photography be any more darling?
"Picture" feat. Sheryl Crow
"I found your picture today / I swear I'll change my ways / I just called to say I love you come back home."
This one gets us every time. The duet is all about Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow missing each other, and how much "brighter" they make each others' days when they're together. Grab a box of tissues and give the track a play.
[Photo: Getty Images / kidrock.com/charity]