DECATUR, GA (AP) -- Musician Kid Rock is set to appear in court in connection with a civil lawsuit filed against him after a fight at a Waffle House restaurant in suburban Atlanta.

Robert James Ritchie, better known as Kid Rock, is set to appear Tuesday before a DeKalb County judge.

In a civil lawsuit, Harlen Akins claims the musician cursed at him during the early-morning fight in October 2007, and then members of his entourage beat Akins up and smashed his cell phone.

Kid Rock pleaded guilty in March 2008 to a misdemeanor charge of simple battery.

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

Akins filed the civil suit against Kid Rock and members of his entourage in December 2007.

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