Royal Oak, Michigan (CNN) - Who says Republicans only love honky tonk?
On the eve of Michigan's nail-biter of a primary, Mitt Romney supporters put their hands in the air Monday to welcome bad boy rocker Kid Rock – whose surprise appearance in Royal Oak was a closely held but widely expected campaign flourish.
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Rock, who maintains close ties to Michigan, his birth state, played "Born Free" for the audience at the Royal Oak Theater.
The song is Romney's official campaign tune and is played when the GOP candidate enters and leaves the stage at events.
Romney introduced Rock by calling him "a friend."
"I'm happy to introduce a son of Detroit, a friend, a guy who makes great music who introduces me by DVD everywhere I go - Kid Rock!" he said.
During the one-song concert, Romney stood with his wife, Ann, and tapped his foot, clapped his hands and nodded his head to the beat.
A campaign aide said before Rock agreed to perform, he requested a meeting with the candidate at the rocker's home in Milford on Thursday. The two men spoke for about an hour about Romney's commitment to Detroit, Michigan, and the troops.
During the meeting, Romney personally asked Rock if he would perform at his rally. Rock e-mailed the candidate the next day to agree to the idea.
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From CNN Politics
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Kid rock finally sold out!!!
I love "Schoolhouse Rock!"
Born Free? Should be "Born Rich".
Trying to be hip, but failing.
Wow! So, Romney's really connecting with the everyday people now? Who's kidding who?
last kid rock album i'll never buy
Never buy a Kid Rock song again!!!
Go Mitt !!!
Kid Rock – never heard of him.
I doubt if Kid Rock supports Willard. He's just there for a check. Today is DOOMSDAY Willard.
That zany Kid Rock.
What a great night!
Who told Kid Rock he could "sing?"
They LIED.
Sounds like a good time.
Like Romney, kid rock is all ambition and no substance.
Never took Kid Rock seriously as a musician. Even less so now.
I have alot of respect for Kid Rock ever since he went to Iraq and spent time..not just a show..he spent time out there with the troops. My son, US Infantry...spent 15 months in Iraq and 12 months in the worse place you can be in Afghanistan chasing the Taliban out of their birthplace and getting shot at every single day...living in mudd huts and mudd up to your thighs....For someone like Kid Rock to go and "Hang out" with these young men is a big moral booster.He is still very connected to the troops and I thank him for that.He is not one of these snotty arrogant "I'M better then you" hollywood wierdos like Diez, Bulock, Moore, Clooney and many many more I could name.
I think having Kid Rock there was a great idea.
He has great family values and that's what republicans say they are all about. I heard santorum is going to use Ozzie
Santorum should jump right on that, considering so many of KR songs refer to sxx and smoking weed.
They perform for the highest bidder. It's business. He'll fire them now (he likes to do that).
I'm sure that Kid Rock fans will come out in droves now to vote for Mitt. Umm, yeah.
Always considered him a punk. No biggie here.
Oh good, Romney has finally got the critical Fights in Trailer Parks vote locked down.
Does Kid Rock believe that Detroit's auto industry should have been allowed to fail completely? Having trouble believing that. He might be the first artist to be so below average across 3 musical genres (rap, rock, country) and still make money, so good for him.
Does MItt Romney have one of those iTune things full of songs? If so, what songs is he listening to? Rock or Bach?