With over 40 million albums sold and more media face-time than most active politicians, Ted Nugent has earned his status as an American icon. Acclaimed for his bold, insightful commentary on issues ranging from the American Dream to bio-diversity, Nugent is a regular guest on top-rated radio and television programs nationwide. Nugent’s own Spirit of the Wild television show is a five time—and counting!—winner of the Golden Moose Award for programming excellence on the Outdoor Channel, where he serves as Ambassador for the network. Ted has been inducted into the National Bowhunters Hall of Fame, marking the pinnacle of recognition for Nugent as a bona fide Bowhunting Legend of the 21st Century. And Nugent has also recently been named Favorite Hunting Personality by the readers of Outdoors Magazine.
A recipient of numerous commendations from state police, sheriff departments, FBI and police agencies nationwide, Nugent has been lauded for his Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids and Freedom’s Angels, along with work as a national spokesman for D.A.R.E and as Ambassador for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Pass It On Outdoor Mentors Program.
Ted Nugent will be performing at the world-renowned Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on August 19, 2011. I recently had the great opportunity to ask Mr. Nugent some tough, hard- nosed questions.
Q: What’s it like waking up every morning as one of the greatest rock & roll legends off all time?
Ted: I dearly appreciate the generous suggestion, and performing such powerful musical masterpieces every night all summer long with the world’s greatest band is joy beyond description, but my quality of life comes from so many other spiritual sources as to overwhelm even those musical intensities. My family and country come first and they inspire me more than anything else. So I will have to settle for being the world’s greatest dad and grandpa.
Q: I don’t want to go political but I am. Do you feel like you’re a little misunderstood with your political beliefs?
Ted: To the contrary, I doubt there is anyone better understood than I am. Everybody knows that I stand for being the best that you can be, for being as productive as you can be, being as generous as you can be, standing up nonstop for God-given individual rights and freedoms, the US Constitution, rugged individualism, lawfulness, good over evil, giving over taking, excellence over slovenliness, and charitableness over greed. Only a denial- riddled fool would fail to understand me.
Q: How do you feel about twitter and do you tweet?
Ted: It is tweetiful, and yes, I tweet quite often.
Q: Who do you hang out with in Nashville while you’re in town? (Country Artists or Musicians, etc.ETC)
Ted: I do about 65 pure animal rock-outs in roughly 70 days each summer. I don’t hang out, but if I did it would be with John Rich, Dave Kiswiney, Rich Eckhardt and anybody who likes killer BBQ, loud guitars, guns and freedom.
Q: What does it mean to you to play at a venue such as the Ryman in Nashville?
Ted: With all due respect for the rich history of this world-renowned venue, my killer band performs every show like it is the most important show of our lives—, every night, every concert, every song, every jam, every lick. We live to play with all our heart and soul so it simply matters not where, when or for whom.
Q: Favorite Merle Haggard song?
Ted: I am only somewhat familiar with the “Okee from Fanokee” song. It is adorable, as is Merle.
Q: Most unique or unusual (clean) gift you ever received from a fan?
Ted: I gotta believe I have received the most and most amazing gifts from fellow American music lovers and freedom lovers of any man ever. I have been given 2 purple hearts from US Military warrior heroes as thanks for my fighting the good fight here at home. I have been given loving, powerful hand written letters from military heroes and their families. I have been given many lovely firearms, bows and arrows, and most powerfully, I have been given sacred time with little boys and girls whose families invited me into their last campfires before saying good-bye to their terminally ill loved ones. I do not believe there are more important gifts available to mankind than these.
By: Big Joe Matthews
Photo By: Jenny Risher
Be the first to comment