Life Lessons From Kid Rock (No Hat Required)

Kid Rock has done a lot of living in his 36 years: a quickie marriage to Pam Anderson, single parenthood, a brawl with Tommy Lee, and now his 11th album, "Rock and Roll Jesus." Some survival tips from the man formerly known as Bob Ritchie:

On being taken seriously in a tabloid world: I knew what I was getting into with the whole Pam fiasco. Thank God I made my mark, and music, before I got into that s––t storm. I've made certain moves I gotta live with the rest of my life, but I'm not gonna bitch about it. I think I can bring it back to the music now.

On being a single dad: When he was small, like 5 or 6, he'd hear my music, the word f–––, and he'd say, "Ooh, I'm telling Grandma!" I'd say "Go ahead, that's what I do for a living. Those are words of expression … but don't express them at school, or Grandma's. Then you're in trouble."

On divorce: I thank God I got out of that. In hindsight, it was the best thing for my son and I that I ever did. Now my friends are speaking out, saying "Good move." But I had to touch the stove to know, and it burned the f––– out of me.

On the paparazzi: I say if you do interviews with Us Weekly, don't be pissed off when they photograph you out at the park with the family, shopping or whatever. You can't have it both ways. I have no sympathy.

On his ex-wife ' s engagement to Rick Salomon, Paris Hilton ' s ex-pornography partner: Maybe she'll send my half-a-million-dollar ring back now. I doubt it, but, boy, that would be nice.

On getting into fights at public, televised events, such as the Video Music Awards: I don't know if it was right or wrong to do, but at least that whole chapter in my life is done, and I couldn't be happier. That was the closing incident as far as I'm concerned. One last thing, though, [the brawl] had nothing to do with Pamela.

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