He arrived with the hallmarks of a novelty act. A stringy-haired rock rapper from the Detroit suburbs, Kid Rock screeched out a hit in 1998 with "Bawitdaba," a nonsense-titled ode to degeneracy.

But Rock (real name: Bob Ritchie) always could tap more hooks and genres than his baggy-shorts '90s frat-rock compatriots. He jelled with rappers, rockers and country guys, and his ensuing hits have incorporated Detroit blues, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Sheryl Crow.

Rock, 40, just went platinum with "Born Free," an irresistible heartland-rock album that furthers his career-long theme of counting one's blessings daily and then celebrating them nightly with cans of domestic beer.

On Tuesday, Rock and opening act/ duet partner Crow will play Wheatland's Sleep Train Amphitheatre, the rural, outdoor venue that seems to have been built just so Rock could sing "All Summer Long" there on a July night.

Reached by telephone this week at his home outside Detroit, the amiable Rock discussed his unexpectedly durable career and his lasting affinities for Crow, Bob Seger and the Motor City.

Congratulations on your album "Born Free" going platinum.

Thanks. And without iTunes!

Why are you not on iTunes?

I just don't like being told what to do.

Weren't you worried it would hurt sales?

I don't know. I have sold 5 million records without iTunes now. The last album was where (iTunes) really took over the market. They said, "You have to be on there. Everyone's doing it." And I said, "Nah, maybe it will just force me to write a better record."

I would rather have people really believe in my product than just make it convenient for them.

Why did you want to bring Sheryl Crow on tour with you?

I just wanted someone to party with, and she parties so (expletive) hard. With me and her, it's weird, because I've got to be the responsible one. She is tossing TVs out windows, drinking all the whiskey, stereo on 50 at 4 in the morning. I am like, "Sheryl, we've got to get a good sleep for the show tomorrow." (laughs)

We just have a good chemistry, and we had the opportunity. It seemed like a good time to do it.

You two dueted on the song "Picture" in 2002, and "Collide," from "Born Free." Do you perform other songs together as well while on tour?

Absolutely. Me and Sheryl like to rock 'n' roll. People think we will be sitting out there singing "Collide" and slow dancing. They're mistaken. Sheryl always joins me for a rocker.

Does she bring a different audience than you typically draw?

It is hard to tell. Because the show is – even if you don't like Kid Rock, you should come for the people watching. That is what my friends tell me. My friends say, "Dude, your crowd's wild." ... Just hardworking people who want to have fun. It is not the cool, reserved crowd. It is not the indie-rock crowd. There are no Radiohead fans there. Just beer drinkers who want to hear some rock 'n' roll and have a great time.

But the chicks definitely really get into (Crow). They are up there dancing and having a good time. She kind of maybe validates me a little bit. Like, "Maybe, he's not such a scumbag. If Sheryl Crow thinks he's OK, and she's a neat gal, maybe he is (all right)."

How have you sustained your popularity over the years?

That could be a big debate. I think I have nurtured the audience I have had. They care about me, and they know I care about them, and try to do everything in my power to let them know that. I have made a lot of money, but I can say that I have never made a dishonest dollar off one of my fans, or off a working person's back.

"Born Free" evokes the Southern and heartland rock of 1970s and '80s pop radio. Were you trying to emulate the music of your youth?

You nailed it. We just wanted to make a good, blue-based rock record. … (Producer) Rick Rubin said, "All those albums that you love, whether it is the Segers or the Skynyrds and '70s rock of the Eagles and Petty and Springsteen down the line, we are going to make one of those records."

Bob Seger plays piano on "Collide." Growing up, were you aware of him as a Detroit guy?

Oh, are you kidding me? I was spoon-fed Bob Seger from the time I came out of the womb. That was my parents' favorite.

I just got the funniest text from (Seger). He is using my place in Nashville, doing some recording. He sent me a text that said, "Bob, I am so sorry. I forgot and left a half-gallon of skim milk in your refrigerator. I just feel so terrible." (laughs) That just shows how nice he is. I sent him a note back that said, "Dammit, Bob, now that you have shown your true colors, our friendship is over!"

You have been a big advocate for Detroit for many years. Now there seems to be a lot of focus on promoting and improving the city, coming from the car companies and elsewhere. Are you feeling a groundswell?

Yep. There are a lot of challenges. I am not deep into politics, but one thing I do know is there are so many people who care about this city, from (the people) in and around here, to people who have migrated. Whenever you get people who care so much about a place, the human spirit is so (powerful) that there is going to be a good change.

Are you friends with Eminem?

Yeah. He came for dinner a few weeks ago.

Is there a sense of community among artists from Detroit?

Very much so. Whether it's Anita Baker, or Em, or Seger or Aretha, it's a very big sense of community.

Now that you're 40, are you slowing down on the partying?

I have turned it down to about 8. I was going 10 for a long time. I pick and choose my battles. When I have shows back to back, I keep it between the lines. When I have two days off, look out.

It is like anybody else. If this were a 9-to-5 job that I worked 40 hours during the week, I would cut loose on the weekends, the way a lot of people do. My weekends just come a lot more frequently.

KID ROCK AND SHERYL CROW

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Sleep Train Amphitheatre, 2677 Forty Mile Road, Wheatland

Cost: $35.50-$98.05

Information: www.ticketmaster.com, (800) 745-3000

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