Kid Rock pleads not guilty over fight

A handout photo shows a police mug shot of musician Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, after he was arrested early Sunday morning following an altercation at a Waffle House in Dekalb County, Georgia October 21, 2007.

ATLANTA (Reuters) - U.S. musician Kid Rock pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges stemming from a fight at a restaurant near Atlanta in which he allegedly punched and kicked a victim and hit him with a chair.

Rock, born Robert Ritchie, pleaded not guilty to five counts of battery and one count of simple battery stemming from the late-night incident at a DeKalb County Waffle House in October, according to DeKalb Solicitor-General Robert James.

In October, Rock's album "Rock N Roll Jesus" debuted at No. 1, a first for the Michigan-born musician.

If convicted of the misdemeanors, Rock could face up to one year in jail plus a $1,000 fine for each charge, public information officer Artealia Gilliard said.

Ritchie and five co-defendants waived their rights to appear at the arraignment and were represented by a lawyer. The trial could start within a month.

(Writing by Matthew Bigg)