Mocking people who took the idea seriously, Kid Rock said Tuesday he's not running for U.S. Senate.

"F--- no, I’m not running for Senate. Are you kidding me?" Rock said on Howard Stern's SiriusXM show. "Who couldn’t figure that out? I’m releasing a new album. I’m going on tour too. Are you f---ing sh--ing me?"

Rock's new album, "Sweet Southern Sugar," will be released Nov. 3, Stern said at the start of a wide-ranging interview that tackled Rock's wealth, his distaste for the music business and his 2018 tour plans.

Rock said the Senate idea — which he publicly toyed with for months — was a mixed blessing.

"It’s the worst advice I ever gave myself, but it's been the most creative thing I’ve ever done," he said. "And I’ve gotten to see everyone’s true colors."

Rock said he talked with Eminem's manager, Paul Rosenberg, at last week's Detroit Pistons opener at Little Caesars Arena. Right-leaning Rock and left-leaning Eminem have been become high-profile political lightning rods.

"Let’s not let this divide us," Rock said he told Rosenberg. Eminem, on the heels of a viral rap blasting President Donald Trump, was loudly cheered at the start of the game. Rock, shown onscreen in the arena, drew boos from some in the crowd.

Rock said as public hype grew around the Senate talk this year, even people in his circle who were "in on the joke" started to take it seriously.

"No, we’re not doing it," he said he'd tell them, "but let’s roll with it for a while."

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The backlash against Rock in Detroit — which included protests at his opening Little Caesars Arena show last month — started only after he touted Senate aspirations, Rock told Stern.

"As soon as I said, 'I don’t know, maybe (I'll run),' everyone goes: 'He’s the Klan wizard, he's homophobic, he's Islamophobic,'" Rock said. "I'm like, this is kind of fun — might as well be!"

Throughout the hour-long interview, Rock sarcastically mocked accusations that he was racist. When Stern wondered aloud when the two had last talked on the air, Rock replied: "It was before I was racist."

"Yeah, I know, now you're the new racist guy," Stern responded.

"I am the Klan wizard!" Rock said.

Rock also pushed back on critics who said he was unsuited to open Little Caesars Arena because it was built partially with taxpayer money. He pointed out the riverside home he owns in the city's Berry historic district.

"Hey, I’m a f---ing taxpayer in the f---ing city of Detroit, by the way," he said. "Cut it out, motherf-----s. Stop f---ing with me!"

Stern cited Rock's condemnation of neo-Nazis, along with support of gay rights and pro-choice positions.

"I'm socially liberal. I'm fiscally conservative," Rock said.

Talk of a Kid Rock candidacy sprung up earlier this year during the Michigan Republican Party's convention, when his name was tossed around among contenders to take on Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow in 2018. Rock then ran with the concept, launching a Kid Rock For Senate website in July, selling campaign-themed merchandise, and performing a fiery but playful "stump speech" during his recent Michigan concerts.

“From our perspective, we don’t get involved in primaries. But we’re thrilled with the candidates that we have and look forward to taking on Debbie Stabenow,” said Sarah Anderson, spokeswoman for the Michigan Republican Party, regarding Kid Rock’s Tuesday announcement.

Declared candidates for the race are former state Supreme Court Justice Robert Young of Laingsburg and businessman John James of Farmington Hills.

By avoiding a Senate run, Rock will retain his 100% election record, he said: At Romeo High School, "I got voted class clown."

Rock's Greatest Show on Earth Tour will start Jan. 19 in Nashville, with dates scheduled through March 24 in Las Vegas. No Michigan shows are on the schedule at the moment, following his six-show run at Little Caesars Arena last month.

Kid Rock touched on a host of other topics Tuesday morning during the Stern chat:

His wealth: Asked if he's worth $100 million, Rock declined to respond. "What is that wink?" Stern observed. “Look at that smile."

Rock raved about his new private plane, a Bombardier Challenger, and said it’s the best purchase he’s ever made. He now owns seven homes — including houses in Nashville, Alabama and Jupiter, Fla. — and recently sold the ritzy Malibu, Calif., home he'd bought while married to Pamela Anderson. (Rock lost $2.1 million on the property, after paying $11.6 million in 2006).

“I hated it,” he said of the Malibu house.

Slowing his roll: Rock, who will turn 47 in January, will play only Friday and Saturday nights on next year's tour.

“How much money do you need, and what is peace of mind worth?” he said. “I’m watching (recent music deaths), from Tom Petty to Glenn Frey to Chester Bennington to Chris Cornell. I’ve been Googling this: The average age of a pop star lead singer is 40 years old. I beat it by six (years), but I understand, this s--- will kill you.”

His animosity toward the music industry: "I’m done with the music business. I’m not going to put that much effort into it anymore, because I’m f---ing rich," Kid Rock said.

Stern asserted that "it's a young, hungry man's game."

Rock agreed: "I’m not going to compete with these (young musicians) shaking every program director’s hand. I don’t want to meet anybody. I’ll take a picture once in a while."

Citing heritage artists such as Petty, Bob Seger and John Mellencamp, Rock said, "I just would to love to make music and go out and play for people."

Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com. Staff writer Kathleen Gray contributed.