Get to know: "The Nuge"

By Lucas Peerman, Pulse Editor
Las Cruces Sun-News
August 23, 2007

Ted Nugent has carved himself a permanent place among the legends of rock. Hailing from Detroit, the guitarist's prodigious talents, earshattering volume and over-the-top onstage antics quickly earned him the moniker of "Motor City Madman," along with international acclaim.

Recognized as the world's leading guitar showman, Nugent's no-holds-barred career spans five decades of multiplatinum hits. From the ground breaking Amboy Dukes' "Journey to the Center of the Mind," to classics like "Stranglehold" and "Cat Scratch Fever," Damn Yankees chartbusters like "High Enough," cult classic "Fred Bear," and "Love Grenade," which will hit shelves on Sept. 4, Ted Nugent's rapidfire sonic assaults continue to sell out venues around the globe.

"The Nuge" has also made his mark on other areas of entertainment. His book, "God, Guns and Rock-N-Roll" is a New York Times bestseller and his "Spirit of the Wild" television show has been voted the No. 1 hunting show on the Outdoor Channel three times.

As part of his current "Nugent Love Grenade 2007 Shrapnel Tour," the 59-year-old rocker will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero. Doors open at 5 p.m. Persons under 21 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $25 and up. For information, call (800) 545-9011 or innofthemountaingods.com.

The prolific entertainer and outdoorsman took time to answer five questions from Pulse before his performance:

Pulse: "Love Grenade" comes out Sept. 4. What can the nation expect from the Motor City Madman's first album in five years?

Ted Nugent: Intense, heart and soul, R&B-driven, high-energy Motor City fun rock. With Tommy Clufetos on drums and Barry Sparks and Jack Blades on bass, this record is loaded with outrageously tight, adventurous sexy songs.

You're 59, and by all accounts, still rock as hard and loud as you did in the 1970s. Where are you hiding the fountain of youth?

Venison and the great spirit of the soul-cleansing hunting lifestyle. I've respected and taken good care of my mind, body, heart, soul and spirit, 59 years clean and sober, and absolutely cherish my musical and outdoor dreams. Discipline to be the best that I can be keeps a guy healthy and ultra-alive.

In the past seven years, you've authored three books on the New York Times bestsellers list and created a lot of buzz as a host on television. Now that you've been a successful TV personality, author and musician, what's next from Ted Nugent Productions?

A whole lot more of the same. I crave the musical adventure with my amazing bandmates (and) will increase my various book, magazine and newspaper writings. We love our "Spirit of the Wild" TV show and are doing more and more wonderful charity work for children and the military. Life is good.

You'll be performing at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, near Ruidoso, which is in the heart of Lincoln National Forest. Have you hunted in this forest? If so, what and when? Do you have a memorable hunting tale from New Mexico?

I have not yet hunted that specific sacred ground, but have shared many a grand New Mexico spirit wild campfires and look forward to many more. New Mexico has done a wonderful job in managing the thriving elk, deer, antelope, bear, cougar, turkey and other magnificent wildlife for all to enjoy and take part in, and I plan on it.

You've said in past interviews that a run for governor of Michigan in 2010 is a possibility. What would be the highlights of your political platform?

Logic, goodwill, decency, law and order, the U.S. and state constitutions, tax reform, welfare reform, court reform, education reform, bureaucratic accountability, gunlaw reform, hunting regulation reform. Michigan, like so many other states, has gone off course and it is time for common sense to take over policy-making.