Springfield, MO – Ted Nugent rocked Springfield, Missouri on September 3. But it wasn’t at an arena on his acclaimed 2016 Sonic Baptizm concert tour. This special stop was at the Archery Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where Nugent was honored with the Dave Staples Golden Award of Merit. Named for archery veteran Dave Staples, who himself was lauded for more than 50 years of involvement in archery and bowhunting, Nugent is the first to receive the award and it is close to the outdoorsman’s heart.
“I am honored and humbled to the core,” stated Nugent, upon being introduced by archery icon, Dick Mauch, and founder of BOWHUNTER Magazine, M.R. James. “The mighty, mystical flight of the arrow has guided my spirit straight and TruNorth my entire American Dream life.”
Nugent went on to recognize his personal bow and arrow heroes, like Howard Hill, Ben Pearson, Ishi, and of course, the late, great Fred Bear, whom Nugent immortalized in the classic hit by the same name, thus introducing millions of sporters and non-sporters alike to the bowhunting legend. Nugent concluded his segment with a heartfelt performance of Fred Bear for the audience of industry notables.
Among other honors, Ted Nugent has been named Archery Commissioner for the Great Lakes State Games, Favorite Hunting Personality by readers of Outdoors Magazine, Michigan Conservationist of the Year, and Top 25 Most Influential by Outdoor Life Magazine. Nugent has also received the James Fenimore Cooper Award for his accomplishments as a writer, and for his enormous contributions to the promotion of hunting and the outdoor lifestyle.
The Motor City Madman returns to Michigan this week!
Ted Nugent & Frank Beckmann discuss Ted’s upcoming gigs at Freedom Hill and Kalamazoo on WJR, 760am Detroit. Tune in at 11:35am Eastern for the full Sonic Baptizm Update!
Clarence Porter, a Blount County resident for almost two decades, said he was most looking forward to “Cat Scratch Fever,” Nugent’s biggest hit that was first released in 1977. Although he came for the rock, he wasn’t averse to a little political commentary either, he added.
“I like to hear Ted break out on a streamline solo only second to breaking out in a political rampage between songs,” he said with a chuckle. “I like his mannerisms. He’s not afraid to speak his mind.”
That he did, from the moment he stepped out on stage to the Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man.” As he peeled off the opening notes to the “Star Spangled Banner” on one of his Gibson guitars with the sort of thunder that would do Jimi Hendrix proud, he wasted no time in giving the crowd what they came to hear.
“We dedicate this show to the heroes of law enforcement! We dedicate this show to the members of our military and their families! We stand with the good guys …” he said, and then made a profane reference to President Barack Obama.
The audience roared in agreement, but before and during the show, the ugly atmosphere so pervasive in this year’s political climate was nowhere to be found. In fact, many show-goers expressed an affinity for the music more than the politics.
“I have to say, I don’t always agree with his political views — he’s a little far right for me; I’m more toward the middle,” said Lisa Pagel, who drove to The Shed from Columbia to attend her “fourth or fifth” Nugent concert with her husband, Bud. “I appreciate the fact he’s not a boozer or a drug addict, and I love the fact he’s a great outdoorsman and an all-around great guy.”
“I came for both, but if he didn’t talk politics, it’d be fine,” her husband added. “I knew he could play guitar before I knew he could run his mouth. He’s just a great American.”
Red, white and blue
There was no questioning Nugent’s patriotism — a massive American flag served as the backdrop behind the stage, and he played part of the show with a red, white and blue Gibson guitar. Despite his proclivity for political rants and his ongoing diatribes against liberal America, he kept the chatter to a minimum. If anything, he offered up what he does best — rock ’n’ roll — as a balm for all souls, troubled or not.
“It’s gonna be alright!” he yelled at one point. “Uncle Ted is back in town tonight! We’re going to play the best guitar licks in the world, nothing but the best guitar licks!”
And play guitar he did, just as he’s done for almost five decades now. And in the end, the rock ’n’ roll is what virtually all in attendance came to see — including Lucy Stolz of Gatlinburg, there with her husband, Eric, who pointed out that his wife is a vegan, a rare individual indeed at a concert of a man almost as famous for hunting animals as he is for classic rock.
“I tell people he does his thing, and I may not always agree with him, but I can respect the fact he stays true to what he believes,” she said. “He pretty much does what he’s going to do, and if he was on the ballot (in November), I’d vote for him.”
As has been a virtually annual gathering for over fifty years, Ted Nugent and his brand of classic rock made its way to Columbus, OH for a stop on the Sonic Baptizm tour. Hosting the event was the PromoWest venue; Express Live! While the Nuge has his detractors, his fans once again packed the indoor show to dance with Uncle Ted.
That Ted Nugent is not often mentioned in the same breath as the greatest guitarists is criminal. It’s also highly political. That’s the same reason that this guitar picker from Detroit and his band aren’t in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Politics aside, for a moment, there is absolutely no reason that this body of work isn’t included in those supposed sacred halls.
With a unique classic rock sound that truly blends the earliest rhythm and blues and soul and funk together with an overdose of Midwestern American rock & roll, there isn’t quite anything like a Ted Nugent show. All music fans should bear witness to it at least a dozen times. This is the tightest sounding band that you may ever hear. Replacing Mick Brown on the drums with a relatively unknown drummer is a bold move, and Jason Hartless makes that move pay off. The newest Thundergod of the band fits in seamlessly and doesn’t miss a beat. Literally.
To understand the Nugent psyche, one must be in the asset column of life. You don’t find Bernie Sanders supporters mingling at a Ted Nugent concert because they largely don’t understand the asset column. Nugent exemplifies a lifestyle of work hard, play harder. Kill it and grill it. A do it yourself and pave your own path kind of spirit that even in his 68th year sounds so refreshing when phrased so eloquently. A cunning linguist, indeed, he makes music for the “real sh*tkickers” that are productive members of society.
And so it was, on Thursday night at Express Live!, not an “I’m With Her” sign to be found. An exclusive event for an exclusive sect of society that still abides by a “We the People” spirit and attitude. All of that real rock & roll spirit, the real rock & roll rebellion is flawlessly enhanced by the greatest guitar tone in the world. The wail and hum of Ted Nugent’s guitar sound is perfection. The man is 68 years old and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. His longevity in this business is certainly attributable to his clean living lifestyle and dedication to his craft. Too often in this industry, good musicians get tripped up by drink and drug and we sadly watch the crash and burn end to another iconic life. For all intents and purposes, this man should not be able to perform this way at his age. Every year up and coming bands that talk a big game but can’t come close to putting out the intensity and raw energy on stage that a man three times their age does.
This is primitive music for primitive people. That is a compliment. From Uncle Ted’s primal screams and blistering solos to Greg Smith’s right hand hitting bass strings at light speed, there isn’t a better band representative of Midwestern, sh*tkicking rock & roll. With a catalog of hits like “Free For All” and “Snakeskin Cowboys” early in the show and the anthems at the end, it’s no surprise that the loyal fans of Columbus and other music loving cities in this country continue to turn out in numbers to witness what may just be the last of my guitar heroes that still perform their craft at an exceptionally high level.
All of the songs at a Ted Nugent show are wonderful, but the back end of this set list could be put up against any of his peers. “Fred Bear”, is the greatest hunting song ever written and the camo-clad crowd hung on to every lyric. Followed by “Motor City Madhouse”, the band was so tight the aforementioned Smith’s right hand was only visible as a blur, just so he could keep up. Of course there is “Cat Scratch Fever” and the “number one guitar lick in the history of the world” on “Stranglehold” which not only lays claim to that riff but should also be mentioned as one of the greatest guitar solos of all-time. To come back out and encore with “The Great White Buffalo” with snippets of “The Spirit of the Wild” mixed in, quite easily finished one of the better five song stretches ever seen or heard.
The only boos from the crowd on this night were when Uncle Ted asked the crowd if, at 68, if he should just act his age. Met with a resounding chorus of boos, the band kicked off the above five song block to close out the night. Away from the glow of the city lights that have been replaced by the glow of the moon and stars, the primal instincts of mankind are alive and well. Reflecting on what was witnessed tonight it should be all too apparent to the concertgoers of what is at stake these days.
Never stop believing. Trample the weak and hurdle the dead. Take it back, America. Yeah, as Ted would say, no sh*t!?
Check out some of the awesome photos being taken during Ted’s 2016 Sonic Baptizm tour as it rolls across America in the brand new Sonic Baptizm 2016 Tour Photo Gallery, exclusively on TedNugent.com. Check back often as new photos are constantly being added!
We’re kicking things off with The Mark Davis Show at 9:35am Central on KSKY, The Answer out of Dallas/Ft. Worth as Ted provides an update on his Sonic Baptizm 2016 Tour, news of the day and more! Listen online here.
At 10 am Central, it’s “Talk Unhinged!” Ted’s on with Marconi Award Winner Jonathan Brandmeier on The Jonathan Brandmeier Show, live out of Chicago. To find a station near you or to listen online, visit www.brandmeiershow.com.
And at 12:30 Central, it’s Info Wars, with Ted on the Alex Jones Show, syndicated out of Austin. To catch these trailblazers of talk in action, visit www.infowars.com.
Ted Nugent had audiences applauding wildly and jumping for joy during the Southern California swing of his Sonic Baptizm Tour. Now it’s on to the East Coast.
Since the 1970s, the 67-year-old “Motor City Madman” from Detroit has been rocking harder than most of his peers. His wild antics and promotional stunts have enabled him to cash in handsomely on his musical talent. But this guy isn’t blowing smoke or hiding behind his politics. Nugent’s guitar playing is amazing and his voice is strong and clear.
The Trunk Nation welcomes TED NUGENT to “Eddie Trunk Live!”
Arguably THE most respected personality in Hard Rock & Heavy Metal programming, veteran host Eddie Trunk interviews TED NUGENT on “Eddie Trunk Live” during an all-new, extended session!
Tune in Monday, July 11 at 7 pm Eastern on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel 39, or listen online at www.knac.com.
More on “Eddie Trunk Live”:
This top-ranked show has become appointment listening throughout America and Canada due to its in depth interviews and commentary, with wide ranging guests & audience calls. It is one of satellite radio’s few live interactive shows on a music channel, featuring music and talk that rocks. “Eddie Trunk Live” is uncensored & commercial free!
The 2016 Ted Nugent Sonic Baptizm Tour kicked off this week in Laconia, NH, and will make its way across America now through September.
“I just got off stage at Laconia and let me tell you, if I wasn’t in this band I would follow them across the globe to watch them every night!” said Nugent. “Jason & Greg create the ultimate driving rhythm section that every guitar player dreams of. We were crazy tight, ultra high energy and the songs killed…”
Here’s what people are saying about Sonic Baptizm 2016…
NUGENT rocked in Laconia NH. The power and emery he and his band have was amazing. Still tearing it up! Younger generations cannot keep up with this guy. –Chris Chesley
Killa show! You guys sounded amazing & my ears are still ringing! — Rob Ferreira
Got tickets for THREE Nuge shows this year!!! See ya at the Dangerzone in Kalamazoo!!!! YOWZA –Steve Cremonesi
Nuge has the fever—for “Holmberg’s Morning Sickness!” Ted’s on KUPD, 97.9 fm, Phoenix to talk about the launch of the Sonic Baptizm 2016 Tour and more! It’s happening at 8am Pacific, Tuesday, June 14.
Ted has added a new show to his upcoming SONIC BAPTIZM tour on September 3 in Muskogee, OK at the Muskogee Civic Center. Tickets and Dangerzone VIP Packages go on sale Friday, June 3 at 10 am CDT.
Head to the Tour page for a look at all of Ted’s upcoming tour dates!
Ted has added more shows to his upcoming SONIC BAPTIZM tour! He’ll perform a second show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL on August 3 and on September 1, Ted will be in Salina, KS at the Bicentennial Center.
Information on tickets and Dangerzone VIP Packages for these newly added shows can be found on the Tour page.
The Sonic Baptizm tour is growing by the day! Eleven more shows have been added all across the US including stops in Kansas City, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, Columbus, OH and many more great cities.
Full details including information on tickets and exclusive TedNugent.com Dangerzone VIP Packages can be found on the Tour page.
Mike Broomhead welcomes Ted Nugent to the Phoenix airwaves.
Broomhead has a reputation for bringing the hottest issues–and the hottest guests–to NewsTalk 550, KFYI. Nugent returns to discuss his 2016 Sonic BaptizmTour, and more!
It’s happening today at 9:30am Pacific PDT. Listen live here.
Mike Broomhead is one of the fastest growing names in talk radio today! He fights for the freedoms of Americans and leaves no doubt where he stands! Mike initially made a name for himself speaking at the largest pro-troops rallies in the country. He was called upon to debate against the anti-war crowd on both television and radio and is now highly requested for speaking events nationwide.
On Friday, June 17 Ted will perform at the LaconiaFest Motorcycle Music Festival in Laconia, NH. The festival takes place alongside Laconia Motorcycle Week and goes down at Weirs Drive-In.
Tickets for LaconiaFest are on sale now. Get yours here and make sure to check out Dangerzone VIP Packages which include a pre-show meet and greet with the Motor City Madman himself!
BY: Donna Balancia
