Kid Rock paid off the balances of 350 layaway accounts at a Walmart store in Nashville.
The musician gave the 3458 Dickerson Pike store about $81,000 to pay down all of the accounts, said Tom Meyer, the store's manager.
"Kudos to Kid Rock for making such a gesture in our community," Meyer said. "I think that's a pretty Nashville proud moment."
Kid Rock said on Twitter that he was following director Tyler Perry's lead. Perry posted a video on Twitter, saying he had paid off the layaway balances at two Georgia locations.
"@tylerperry Great idea! I followed your lead and paid off the layaway at my local Walmart in Nashville. Merry Christmas and God Bless You!" said Kid Rock, in the tweet.
Meyer said Rock called the store on Friday morning, explaining that he wanted to spread some good cheer by paying down the balances. Rock's manager later came into the store to make the big payment.
It was a shocking, cool moment for Meyer, he said. And he said it has been an awesome experience letting customers know their accounts have been paid off. The items on lawaway are likely Christmas gifts, since the store only offers the program during the holiday season, Meyer said.
The layaway customers, who have been coming into the store as a result of Rock's gesture, were wearing shocked and smiling faces, Meyer said. Each one is being handed a card explaining that Kid Rock made the payment on their behalf, he said.
Kid Rock paid off about $81,000 in layaway balances at a Walmart store in Nashville. Tom Meyer, the store's manager, said employees were giving the account holders' notes explaining that the musician had paid down their layaways. (Photo: Submitted photo by Tom Meyer)
"Merry Christmas from your neighbor!" the cards read.
Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Richie, has property in Whites Creek.
Surprised customers thank Kid Rock for his generosity
Autumn and Woody Nuccio want to make sure Kid Rock knows how grateful they are for his generosity. Without him, the parents would not be able to give their three young children presents for Christmas this year.
Autumn and Woody Nuncio show the Christmas gifts they had on layaway at a Walmart store on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Kid Rock spent about $81,000 Saturday to pay off the balances of 350 layaway accounts, including the one belonging to the Nuncios, at the Dickerson Pike store. (Photo: Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean)
They did not have enough money for both rent and the toys they had put on layaway at the Dickerson Pike store, said Autumn Nuccio, as she waited for Walmart staff to grab her items.
"It's such a burden lifted off of our shoulders knowing that our kids will have Christmas," said Autumn Nuccio, who works at the Walmart location.
One of the items in their layaway cart was a guitar for their 3-year-old son, Dustin. They were excited that Rock's gift meant their son would have a fun story to tell about the musician for the rest of his life.
"He bought my son his first guitar," Woody Nuccio said.
Rock also paid for the gifts Henrietta Lewis will give her grandchild for an upcoming fourth birthday.
Kenya Sanders wipes tears away as she heads to pick up the Christmas gifts she had on layaway at a Walmart store on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Kid Rock spent about $81,000 Saturday to pay off the balances of 350 layaway accounts, including the one belonging to Sanders, at the Dickerson Pike store. (Photo: Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean)
Lewis received a text that an anonymous person had paid off her layaway items.
"I just want him to know that I'm very grateful that he done this for the community," Lewis said. "I love you Kid Rock. Keep up the good work."
Layaway gift comes on the heels of controversy
The official Twitter account for the retail giant applauded Rock and Perry for paying off the layaways at the three Walmart locations.
"This is awesome! You guys are spreading the Christmas spirit like crazy," the Walmart tweet said.
The music star's gesture comes on the heels of a recent dust up.
Rock was tapped to be the grand marshal of the Nashville Christmas Parade on Dec. 1, but that did not happen after he made controversial comments on a Fox & Friends. His remarks quickly caused a public backlash and led Nashville's mayor to threaten to sit out for the event.
Eventually, parade organizers gave the grand marshal role to Waffle House mass shooting hero James Shaw Jr. Now, Kid Rock will be a special guest in the Leiper's Fork Christmas Parade, which starts at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15.
Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.
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