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Kid Rock Performs Soulful Cody Johnson Cover During Turning Point USA Super Bowl Halftime Show
If you’ve got a chance, take it.
Kid Rock had some surprises in store during his performance at the Turning Point USA Turning Point USA Unveils Lineup For All-American Super Bowl Halftime Show, breaking out a version of a Cody Johnson hit that he first debuted last year.
During an appearance on Fox News ahead of the alternate Super Bowl halftime show, Kid Rock teased a surprise cover that he planned to perform during the broadcast, which he said would be released on streaming soon after:
“Musically I know that nothing beats a great song. That’s the most powerful thing. No performance, no pyro, no lighting will beat a great song, so I’m gonna flip a 180 and do what I think is one of the best-written songs in a long time, and then that night at midnight that song will be released, streaming and downloading, everywhere.”
And when he said it was one of the best-written songs in a long time, he wasn’t wrong.
For the halftime show, Kid Rock broke out his soulful version of Cody Johnson’s #1 hit “Til You Can’t,” adding a verse that he wrote after the death of Charlie Kirk:
“There’s a book that is sitting in your house somewhere
That could use some dusting off
There’s a man that died for all our sins, hanging on the cross
You can give your life to Jesus, and he’ll give you a second chance
‘Til you can’t”
Kid introduced the new lyrics by saying that he woke up one morning and felt called to add one more verse:
“I awoke one Sunday morning all alone with this song stuck in my head, and in that moment, something or someone spoke to me. They said there was still a verse that needed to be written for this song. And to get up and write it down.”
Kid Rock (whose real name is Robert Ritchie) first performed his version of the song last November during an appearance at the Hondo Rodeo Fest, when he stepped in for Johnson at the last minute after Cody was forced to cancel his appearance due to a busted ear drum.
Along with Kid Rock, the halftime show also featured Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
You can watch the full show, including Kid Rock’s Cody Johnson cover, here:
Turning Point USA first announced their alternate broadcast after the NFL announced that Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny would be headlining the Apple Music halftime show at Super Bowl LX, a controversial decision given his outspoken statements against President Donald Trump and his immigration policy.
Recently during the GRAMMY Awards, Bad Bunny once again made a political statement with his acceptance speech:
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
Bad Bunny says "ICE OUT" at the #Grammys and receives a massive standing ovation:
"We are not savage, we are not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.… pic.twitter.com/IFzvguqdCR
— Variety (@Variety) February 2, 2026
The alternate halftime show obviously received a lot of criticism from the left and the media (but I repeat myself). But Kid Rock, along with the other headliners, insisted that the Turning Point USA halftime show was simply an opportunity to play music for those who didn’t feel represented by the “official” halftime show:
“At the end of the day, like people like Taylor Sheridan and Tyler Perry have, they realize there’s a big portion of this country, like it or not, that’s underserved entertainment-wise. We’re just going to go play for our base, you know, people who love America, love football, love Jesus. And it’s pretty much that simple.
Of course, the media and the haters are going to try to detract from it. And I think I would like to get this point across once again when I say I think I speak for Turning Point and all the artists involved that none of us are approaching this with any hate in our hearts at all. It’s just a love for our base and love for music, our country and everything else.”
Before the show even started there were already over 1.5 million people watching on Turning Point USA’s YouTube stream alone, and viewership appeared to peak at over 6 million simultaneous streams just on YouTube, so it’s safe to say it was a success, regardless of your opinion on it.
Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show Setlist
Real American – Brantley Gilbert
Dirt Road Anthem – Brantley Gilbert
I Hope – Gabby Barrett
The Good Ones – Gabby Barrett
Drinking Class – Lee Brice
Country Nowadays – Lee Brice
Hard To Love – Lee Brice
Bawitaba – Kid Rock
Til You Can’t – Kid Rock (Cody Johnson cover)
Brantley Gilbert Speaks On TPUSA Halftime Show
When Turning Point USA announced their lineup for their halftime show, some questions directed at Brantley Gilbert apparently started pouring in. That’s at least what I’m assuming, since the country music artist put out a statement earlier today that was titled “For those asking ‘Who is Brantley Gilbert?’ and ‘Why Is He Playing This Event?’”
Feeling as though he had to defend his decision and involvement with the alternative show, Gilbert first shared a bit about himself, and provided some commentary on the current state of the country:
“I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs. I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction.
I share my story through my music, in hopes that it may help and inspire others in their darkest hour. I’m a Christian, and I love our country, despite its flaws. I’ve dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fight for it, and the families of those who gave their life for it. Above all, I’m a proud husband and father of three.”
The “Bottoms Up” singer went on to say that he’s taking pride in bringing country music back to the halftime show (even though it’s not necessarily an official return to the NFL stage), and ultimately decided to join the lineup because he wanted to make his kids proud:
“We’re celebrating 250 years as a country, and it’s been more than 20 years since a country artist has been asked to play the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people may see this differently, but I’m not playing this show to be divisive. I was offered this opportunity and imagined my kids watching their daddy perform at halftime during the biggest game in American football. Everything I do, I do for them.”
Gilbert concluded with a unifying message, and sharing that he has a prayer for the United States to come together and be united. The country artist then said that he’s excited to take the stage on Sunday, which all but confirms that Turning Point USA will be trying to pull off a live performance right at the same time that Bad Bunny takes the stage at Super Bowl LX:
“The way I treat people isn’t conditional based on what our differences may be. I believe “united we stand, divided we fall,” and my prayer for our country is that we stand united. Thank you to my road family and all the fans who have stood beside me. Looking forward to hitting the stage this Sunday and giving folks a hell of a show.”
pic.twitter.com/T7kGIXEz6w
— Brantley Gilbert (@brantleygilbert) February 6, 2026
Lee Brice: Nothing Against Bad Bunny
For Brice, he says it wasn’t anything against Bad Bunny that made him want to be a part of TPUSA’s counterprogramming:
“I don’t know much about him. I’ve heard he’s won a bunch of Grammys and he’s a great artist or whatever. But, you know, I didn’t get asked to play the other Super Bowl, but I did get asked to do this and be a part of something that I believe in.”
During an interview with Fox News, Brice says the halftime show is a reflection of the organization’s late founder’s mission:
“Charlie Kirk wanted everybody to have a microphone, and it’s a celebration of what he believed in and what he brought to the table. And I’m just proud. You know, I’m proud to be an American. And I’m excited. I’m a musician. I get to go play music.”
The post Kid Rock Performs Soulful Cody Johnson Cover During Turning Point USA Super Bowl Halftime Show first appeared on Whiskey Riff.
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