Kid Rock’s Biggest Musical Change Yet: His First Christian Album Features Eminem and Country Stars

Kid Rock is taking his music in a completely different direction — and he’s bringing some unexpected names along for the ride.

The rock-country star has announced “Halfway 2 Jesus,” his first Christian album, set for release on October 17. The 17-track project puts faith at the center while still blending the rock, country and hip-hop sounds Kid Rock has built his career around.

But one collaboration is already getting plenty of attention: Eminem appears on “7 Sins.” The two Detroit-area artists have a history that goes back decades, making their reunion one of the album’s most unexpected moments.

Country fans will also recognize Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts and Jimmie Allen, who join Kid Rock on the title track, “Halfway 2 Jesus.”

The album’s first single, “James 1:17 (Jesus Is King),” is already out, along with an emotional music video filmed at Kid Rock’s Nashville honky-tonk. The video is dedicated to longtime keyboard player Jimmie Bones, who is battling ALS, as well as young fan Kalvin Lynch, whose Make-A-Wish was to play drums with Kid Rock.

The tracklist includes songs such as “Freedom,” “Water Into Wine,” “Me and Jesus,” “God Is Good,” “‘Til You Can’t,” and “God Bless the USA.”

Kid Rock has previously explained that he wanted to create Christian music that still sounded like the genres he grew up loving — rock ’n’ roll, country and hip-hop.

And now, with the first single already released and “Halfway 2 Jesus” arriving October 17, fans are getting their first look at an entirely different musical chapter for Kid Rock.

Watch “James 1:17 (Jesus Is King)”