Article: A more mature Kid Rock focuses on family, fans and Southern rock.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

You know you've carved out a pretty cool life for yourself when you get to spend your summer hanging out with Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C.

But it's been more than just party time for Kid Rock.

2002 has been a time of professional and personal transition for the rapper born Bob Ritchie in Romeo, Mich. He'll turn 32 in January, and says he finally feels like he's growing up. He looks back at his summer as a time of learning from the two veteran acts who perfectly bookend his range of influences _ the flashy rock bang of Aerosmith, the lighthearted old-school hip-hop of Run and D.M.C. There have been late-night bull sessions with guitarist Joe Perry and long ...

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