Kid Rock's North American concert tour is now called "American Rock N Roll" tour after Feld Entertainment threatened the music icon with a copyright lawsuit.
Kid Rock Changes Tour Name
In a statement, the 46-year-old revealed that, in order not to further fan the flames, his camp will no longer use the phrase "Greatest Show on Earth" in promo materials and merchandise. The move comes a month after Feld Entertainment, the company behind Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, filed a federal lawsuit in Florida that aims to stop Rock from using the line.
"While I firmly believe that I am entitled under the First Amendment to name my tour after my song, I have changed the Tour name because I do not want this lawsuit to distract me or my fans from focusing on what is important in my upcoming Tour — my music," Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, said.
His lawyer Kenneth G. Turkel defended his client, saying that Rock's use of the phrase has nothing to do with the Ringling Bros. "Greatest Show on Earth" was a song from the album Sweet Southern Sugar released in November 2017 and pertains to the fact that the rockstar can "perform the greatest f****** show on Earth."
However, as of this writing, Feld Entertainment is yet to drop the lawsuit against Rock and Live Nation. A spokesperson for the company said that the company will pursue the legal action against the musician despite the name change.
As for Rock's hit single "Greatest Show on Earth," a lawyer from California thinks that the song and the video do not violate the trademark law because it "falls until a different class of goods and services." Steven Lowy of Isaacman, Kaufman & Painter Attorneys warned that the change in the tour name might continue because Feld Entertainment could pursue the case for damages and lawyer fees.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus ended over 100 years of entertainment with a show in New York City in May 2017. The circus company has been embroiled in criticism from animal activists who oppose the use of animals, specifically elephants, during live shows. The company has also seen a steep decline in ticket sales over the years.
However, Feld Entertainment has retained the trademark for "Greatest Show on Earth." The company continue to authorize the use of the phrase to brands such as Chick-Fil-A.
Kid Rock's American Rock N Roll Tour kicked off on New Year's Eve and continues in Nashville on Jan. 19 and then in Louisville on Jan. 20.
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