Kid Rock Returning to Georgia Waffle House for Benefit

Originally posted Monday March 10, 2008 05:35 PM EDT

Talk about a special warm-up gig.

Kid Rock may be playing at Atlanta's Gwinnett Arena on March 11 – but before his performance, the rocker is returning to the Duluth, Ga., Waffle House where he was arrested for battery after a fight last October to greet fans and sign autographs for charity, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting.

While the rocker (real name Robert James Ritchie) has pleaded not guilty to the charges, organizers say that Kid Rock's fight is the farthest thing from their mind.

"For a while now, we've been working with Kid Rock's management to try and turn a negative into a positive," Pat Warner, a Waffle House rep, told the newspaper. "We're hoping to raise some money for a worthwhile charity." All proceeds from the event, which begins at 2 p.m., will benefit Nicholas House, a homeless shelter for families in DeKalb County.

Organizers expect a heavy fan turnout – and local radio stations have been promoting Kid Rock's appearance. One rock station has auctioned off passes to the Waffle House event, as well as tickets to the concert that night and a backstage meet-and-greet.