And lately his star isn't shining as brightly as it was in the late 1990s when Bob Ritchie had everyone singing along to the supercatchy rock-rap hybrids Bawitdaba and Cowboy. Kid Rock put Detroit trailer culture on the map with his greasy hair, no-holds-barred lifestyle and songs about partying.
The Kid, above, isn't all machismo and posturing though; he packs real talent and song savvy. It crops up all over 1998's Devil Without A Cause, if not as much on the followup Cocky, and the eponymously titled Kid Rock (2003). Rock's newer tunes are filled with salty, ticked-off looks at the world cribbed from the Hank Williams Jr. and David Allen Coe songbooks. Kid packs plenty of twang and grit with the hip-hop mix.
Kid Rock performs with his Twisted Brown Trucker Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the USF Sun Dome, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. $33. (813) 287-8844, (727) 898-2100 or (813) 974-3002.
- GINA VIVINETTO, Times pop music critic
Deciphering Jewel
Is Jewel still a folk singer? You tell me.
The 29-year-old, above, whose breakthrough hit asked Who Will Save Your Soul?, last year Why sell 25-million records as earnest songwriter with your clothes on, when you can revamp your image and be a hoochie mama?
My, my, what would Woody Guthrie say?
Jewel performs at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $39.50-$48.50. (727) 791-7400.
