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“Nugent Factor” identified as HUGE in voter impact

Monday, November 14, 2016

“Ted Nugent is not just a celebrity…he understands in depth policy issues at a level most elected officials, or even so-called experts, do not,” stated Randy Wood, Michigan Political Director, Donald J. Trump for President.  “Having Uncle Ted campaign for Mr. Trump was HUGE for the campaign. I don’t think Mr. Nugent’s contribution could be overstated!”

And others agree.  Here’s what folks are saying about Nugent’s pivotal role in shaping the outcome:

“I truly believe Ted’s energetic appearances at the last Trump rallies in Grand Rapids and at Freedom Hill, helped turn Michigan into a Presidential red state for the first time since 1988—almost 30 years!” —Frank Beckmann, Talk Show Host, WJR, Detroit

“This is officially the year of the straight shooter.  That’s why Trump won, and that’s why Ted has always resonated.  No BS, just unvarnished truth creating two kinds of people—those who can handle it and those who cannot.  Ted’s mere presence kept my state of Texas strong in the Trump column while many thought it would be close, and I guarantee you that the Michigan win is due to that state’s workin’ hard, playin’ hard population rising up in harmony with Nuge to say we’ve had enough.” —Mark Davis, Talk Show Host, 660 AM The Answer, Dallas – Ft Worth TX

“Ted Nugent was an incredible asset to the MRP and our efforts.  Anything we ever needed, he was more than willing to step up and help out.  His support and efforts contributed to successes in many Michigan races, including the Michigan’s victory for President-elect Donald Trump.  We would not have been as successful on Election Night without his support.” —Ronna Romney McDaniel, Chairman, Michigan Republican Party

“Ted Nugent is respected by Michigan voters as much for his in depth understanding of public policy as he is for his guitar,”  concluded Randy Wood, Michigan Political Director, Donald J. Trump for President.

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Archery Hall of Fame Honors Ted Nugent

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Ted with his mentor, Fred Bear.

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.

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Politics takes backseat to rock ‘n’ roll for Ted Nugent’s Maryville show

Friday, August 19, 2016

By: Steve Wildsmith

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.”

[Source: DailyTimes.com]

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Ted Nugent ‘Baptizes’ Columbus

Thursday, August 18, 2016

By: Chad Hobbs

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!?

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