On February 8, 2025, during a surprise performance at JBJ’s Nashville bar, Kid Rock abruptly left the stage after expressing frustration with the audience’s lack of enthusiasm. The event was part of a birthday celebration for Bon Jovi’s keyboardist, David Bryan. Initially, the crowd welcomed Kid Rock with applause as he began performing Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.”
However, he soon paused to encourage the audience to clap along, stating, “If you ain’t gonna clap, we ain’t gonna sing.” Despite his efforts, the response remained tepid, leading him to declare, “You know what, f— y’all. You ain’t gonna clap, I’m gone,” before walking off the stage. David Bryan appeared puzzled by the incident but later shared a video from the night on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the birthday wishes and highlighting other performances. Kid Rock has not publicly commented on the episode.
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