Kid Rock Takes Stand in Georgia

DECATUR, Ga. (AP/CBS) Kid Rock, a musician known for his quick temper, admits he exchanged some tough words with a customer at an Atlanta-area Waffle House but he claims he didn't start fighting until provoked.

Robert James Ritchie, better known as Kid Rock, made the statements when he took the stand in his own defense in a Georgia courtroom on Thursday.

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The Detroit-based musician and five members of his entourage are being sued over the 2007 fight.

Harlen Akins claims the musician cursed at him during the early morning fight. Akins says members of Kid Rock's entourage then beat him up and smashed his cell phone.

Kid Rock pleaded guilty in March 2008 to a misdemeanor charge of simple battery and was sentenced to probation and anger management counseling.

The musician stopped at the restaurant following a performance in Atlanta. The fight broke out after Akins recognized a woman in Kid Rock's party and spoke to her.