Kid Rock says he's not a fan of his fans paying high prices to see his shows, which is why he's selling $20 tickets to his "Best Night Ever" summer tour.
Rock seems to think his friends in the music business should take note. He's less than pleased that some are selling outrageously priced tickets to their concerts, and said as much during an appearance this week on CNN's "Piers Morgan Live."
When Morgan asked him about the current prices for the "Legends of the Summer" tour featuring Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake, which top $250 with fees in cities like Detroit and New York City, the singer-songwriter didn't hold back.
“It’s garbage. It’s highway robbery,” Kid Rock told Piers. “I don’t care who you are. I would consider both of them in the circle of friends in the business, but I don’t agree with it.”
At Kid Rock's summer tour supporting his 10th album "Rebel Soul," a beer costs $4 and a t-shirt retails for $20. There's even free coffee at the end of the show and free Jimmy John's subs in certain markets.
"It's gotten out of hand, price of concerts, the price of entertainment, period," he told Piers.
"I've been very fortunate, I've always tried to keep prices what I think are fair, and I've always said I'm proud that I can walk around with my head held high and look someone in the eye, knowing that I haven't taken an un-honest dollar from a working man."
Kid Rock said that he worked with concert promoter Live Nation to lower ticket prices, but also had to reduce his own performance fee by $50,000 to $100,000 every show in order to deliver the $20 ticket price. He also said he hasn't reduced the length of his show or trimmed the number of employees working on the tour.
"I make a lot of money, I can take a pay cut," Kid Rock said. "All my friends are taking pay cuts, that are in unions, that are farming in Alabama, whatever it is. I can surely take a pay cut, too."
It costs $125,000 to put on a Kid Rock concert, the artist said. And if audiences don't show up, he'll be in trouble.
The 27-city tour now includes at least six consecutive Metro Detroit dates at DTE Energy Music Theatre, a hometown record for Rock. Kool & The Gang, Uncle Kracker and ZZ Top will each open for the tour at select locations.
Hat tip: Hip-Hop DX
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