By Jesseka Kadylak

At age 59, Ted Nugent is still rocking the camouflaged getup, taking the stage by buffalo and headlining the Rolling Thunder tour - notching up his 6,000th concert.

The Nuge said his stage presence and performance haven't suffered from his age or years on the road.

"My music has gotten more intense, brutal, ferocious and insanely tight with Mick Brown [drums] and Greg Smith [bass] pounding me into submission every night," Nugent said.

"We are the tightest, most dangerous band in the history of the world."

Nugent was born and bred in Detroit, Michigan, where he formed his first blues-rock band in the '60s. He started off as lead guitarist for the Amboy Dukes, left to pursue his solo career and hit it big with "Cat Scratch Fever."

His music incorporates the funk and soul of James Brown, while staying true to the motor city rock influences. Nugent has been drug and alcohol-free all of his life and isn't afraid to voice his opinions-even if they are offensive and controversial. He has released over 30 albums, and is touring in support of May's live album release, Sweden Rocks.

Nugent said none of the experiences in his long career can compete with the times he has performed for the military. This should come as no surprise, since Nugent is a right-wing rocker with a serious interest in politics.

In addition to his political passions, Nugent supports the National Rifle Association and is an avid hunter.

On two of his past reality shows, Surviving Nugent and Wanted: Ted or Alive, the Nuge challenged contestants to embrace the great outdoors, hunting, fishing and trapping.

He made competitors sleep outside on his Michigan ranch, build an outhouse and skin a boar to keep warm. He said if he had a chance, he would invite Michael Moore and Courtney Love on his next show to see if they could stand the test.

But the show isn't due for another season, Nugent will have to settle for life on the road. The family man said he plans to squeeze in a "much needed snuggle fest" with his wife and his dogs before making his way to the Ram's Head Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The Info:
Ted Nugent
Rams Head Live, $35
August 26, 7 pm

 Source: b-moreLive.com - Entertainment Magazine of Baltimore Guide

Q&A

Jesseka Kadylak interviews Ted Nugent          Source: BmoreTunes.com

JK - Touring every year has to mean you have a gazillion incredible stories. What is one of your favorite memories from the road?

TN - You cannot possibly imagine! Glowing, stimulating, sexy memories beyond mere mortal dreams. It has been quite the astonishing ride, so far! Though the most beautiful girls in the world have blessed me with their, shall we say, "presence", and clearly I married the best of the best, and the most intense, die hard music lovers of all time have shared the fire and energy of my music forever, the most stirring memories are those when the amazing heroes of the US Military, particularly the severely wounded warriors, have joined us over the years showing what supreme warrior courage, spirit and attitude is. Our music and energy throttle upward substantially on those nights and we are humbled by their inspiration to be better every day.

JK - Since you are now 59, what has changed in your stage presence and performance, if anything?

TN - I finally moved on and implemented the wisdom of the world's greatest spiritual philosopher, Dirty Harry's stirring advise that, and I quote, "A good man knows his limitations." By more efficiently harnessing my energy and passion, my music has gotten more intense, brutal, ferocious and insanely tight with Mick Brown and Greg Smith pounding me into submission every night. We are the tightest, most dangerous band in the history of the world. James Brown is in our soul each night.

JK - If you could create a celebrity cast for another "Surviving Nugent" or "Wanted: Ted or Alive," who would you pick and why?

TN - Courtney Love and Michael Moore because they are so slovenly and buffoonish, not to mention unclean, that it would be the funniest thing since Richard Pryor's afro caught on fire watching them make fools of themselves in their helpless scramble to awaken to independence and responsible cause and effect in their pathetic crybaby, stinky lives. Plus they would probably perish and I could win the Nobel Peace Prize for ridding humankind of some very bad genes.

JK - When you appear on stage riding a Buffalo, where does the Buffalo come from?

TN - South Dakota. It is spiritually moving dynamo beyond your wildest dreams. I am a very lucky man.