Ted Nugent -- Renaissance Caveman

Nov. 13, 2002

Ted Nugent recently released his 30th album in 35 years of recording. His first 29 albums have sold over 30 million copies collectively. He has toured every year for the past 35 years and performs at least 100 shows a year worldwide: all sell-outs.
From 1977-1979 he was the number one grossing musical act in the world. His songs “Catch Scratch Fever,” “Free For All,” “Stranglehold,” “Wango Tango,” and “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang,” are now all rock classics. His musical tribute to hunting legend Fred Bear has become an anthem in hunting circles. In 1989 he formed the super group Damn Yankees with Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Tommy Shaw of Styx. The group has sold over 5 million albums. His book “God, Guns, & Rock’ N’ Roll” published in 2000 became a New York Times bestseller.
Nugent has remained drug, alcohol and tobacco free for all 54 years of his life. He has championed programs to help teens and adults who are battling substance abuse, speaking regularly at schools and on T.V. about the dangers of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. He is an advocate for the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, and serves on the National Rifle Association Board of Directors. Nugent hunts twice a day when not touring, and is one the leaders in the hunters’ rights movement. His outspoken in-your-face approach has brought many critics from the liberal left to the animal rights movement who view Nugent as public enemy #1.


Nugent, a.k.a. The Motor City Mad Man, The Great Gonzo, The Whackmaster or Uncle Ted, is one of rock n’ roll‘s most illustrious characters, not to mention one of the best ever to pick up the battle axe. He is an activist, author, columnist, TV personality, radio show host, environmentalist, philanthropist, guitar player, hunter, husband, father of four, and now a politician?
“I made a threat that if the Republicans let Granholm into the governor‘s seat I am running in 2006, so I am going to run as an independent,“ Nugent says. “I am sick and tired of the pimps, the whores and the welfare brats getting representation. I think we ought to cut them off. I would like to think that there is enough hard-working, productive, sincere people in Michigan that would like to tell Detroit to shut up and get a job. If you want a bunch of money, wake up and go to work.”
These are the harsh statements people have come to either love or hate from Ted Nugent. And with a proposed run for the governorship in 2006, his voice and statements will be heard often. As for Granholm, who has not even been sworn in yet, Nugent has kind words -- well sort of.
“I think Granholm is a great woman and should be saluted for being an activist and being dedicated to a life of serving we the people, but I don’t think she serves enough of the right people,” said Nugent. “I think she is catering to the pimps and whores and welfare brats, and if those terms are harsh, then just think of what the existence must be for those that fall in that category.”

GOVERNOR NUGENT?
Nugent points to the paychecks of the working class and has some questions he feels should be answered:
“I am telling people to look at their last paycheck and ask who in God’s name authorized all of those deductions? Where is all that money going? How can you make 1,000 dollars and end up with only 700? Add in sales and other taxes, you are lucky to have 500 dollars left over,” said Nugent. “How dare they, how dare they do that.”
When Nugent becomes passionate about something it is hard for him to stop.
“If you are receiving money for doing nothing, you ought to be absolutely ashamed of yourself,” said Nugent. “I make a lot of money but when it is all said and done, my ass is whipped right down to the middle class. For every million dollars I make, I am lucky to have 300,000 left. It is a bunch of B.S. It is total insanity.”
Governor Ted Nugent seems unlikely, and yet, Minnesota elected WWF wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura. While Nugent’s rock’ n’ roll stage antics of running around in a loin cloth and riding across the stage on a 3,000-pound buffalo make it hard to visualize him as governor, he has supporters and remains popular throughout Michigan and for that matter America. Previous Borders Books appearances by Nugent around the country have been some of the largest book signings in the company’s 30-year history.
His Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America has thousands of members in Michigan alone. His Ted Nugent website has hundreds of visitors daily, with over 50,000 messages posted to date. Nugent has the ear of several politicians around the country including governors, congressman, senators and even the president of the United States.
So Governor Nugent is a real possibility; heck he might even give Hillary a run for her money in 2008 for president.

BUSY GUY
Despite any future political ambitions Nugent has work to do now that includes a family to feed, children to raise, a wife to love, books to sell, CDs to sell, hunting trips to promote, work for the NRA, furthering his Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids, 30 plus monthly columns he writes for various hunting and music publications, a TV show to host and produce and at least 100 concert dates next summer. His schedule makes him one of the world’s busiest celebrities.
“Sure I keep busy; yesterday I went hunting in the morning, flew to Florida and did two D.A.R.E. programs in a school, jumped back on a plane, flew home, went to my son‘s school and taught a science class,” said Nugent. “When I got home, I helped my wife make dinner and in between all of that I spoke on the phone to a congressman, did a few interviews, and spoke to some CEO’s.”
Nugent attributes his ability to do more in one day then most do in a month to his diet.
“I will be 54 in a month and I am an energized fool. I have more energy than 50 puppy dogs on your shin. I am a pragmatic S.O.B; my life is all about quality fuel, and the real impetus of Shemane and I collaborating on ‘Kill It & Grill It’ is more identifiable via the recipe it offers for a quality of life overall then individual BBQ celebrations. I really do believe that optimal quality of life is a direct result of a demanding conscientious regimentation of diet.”
While he has been a longtime crusader against drug, alcohol and tobacco use, Nugent sees another trend eating away at the core of the country.
“What ‘Kill It & Grill It’ celebrates is defying poisonous trends whether it be drugs, alcohol, tobacco or equally ugly fast food,” said Nugent. “There are things out there that Americans call food that, well I have an emergency alert for everyone (raises voice) IT IS NOT FOOD, THAT IS NOT FOOD, FAST FOOD IS NOT FOOD I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT IT IS NOT FOOD -- IT MIGHT BE BEAR BAIT.”

CHILD OBESITY
When asked if he ever eats fast food, Nugent laughs and admits to recently hitting a drive-thru.
“I stopped at fast food joint the other night it was the fourth or fifth time in my life and I ordered a fish sandwich -- and I said how much damage could that do? -- and an order of fries,” said Nugent. “I couldn’t eat it, my taste buds rejected it. It was late, I didn’t want to cook, so I figured once in a while why not, but you know what? Once and a while no way! I fact never in a while, I am not going back and I have programmed my vehicle and mind to avoid fast food places,”
Of concern to Nugent are the eating trends of Americans that have resulted in an epidemic of obesity, especially in our children.
“It is apparent that the pandemic of obesity is a direct result of an unconscionable disconnect that is manifested in the deteriorated diet in America. Anything that enters the mouth must be good for you; it‘s so simple that it is stupid. If a guitar player has to be the alarm boy, then so shall it be.”
Nugent attributes the obesity in society to parents‘ lack of involvement in the simple things in life. He suggests that parents are not there when their child is toweling off from a bath, or at the dinner table when their son and daughter are stuffing themselves to death. These simple things contribute to parents being out of touch with their kids.
“I finished my tour this summer at Disney World; as the band I walked around, I thought I was going to throw up as I watched these beluga whale families stuff themselves with giant cotton candies and huge jugs of soda being carried by seven and eight-year-old children that were so huge they couldn’t put their arms down by their side. In fact they didn’t have a side -- instead they had a huge rotund torso of blubber. It broke my heart, I felt like the Indian on the hillside crying looking at toxic waste. How do these people look in the mirror at their faces that are the size of rhino butts? I suspect that they are decent people, caring people but what do they care about if not their own health?”

A PASSION FOR HEALTH
While Nugent‘s words are harsh, he speaks with concern and passion about the health of his fellow Americans.
“I have seen the figures from the Center for Disease Control of the costs, the death, and the diabetes and the heart failure of young people because they are fat. Am I the only person that knows this? We are force-feeding the kids of America crap, and what is up with these soft drink companies putting liquid sugar in our schools? It is obscene.”
Sales for his book have been brisk putting it on the LA Times bestseller list and readers have responded positively.
“There are all sorts of unsolicited posts on my website in support of my book and lifestyle,” said Nugent. “One guy wrote to say that he read my book and by 3:00 that day quit smoking. Another person wrote he lost 60 lbs and changed his lifestyle.”
Critics to Nugent consider him to be barbaric, anti-animal and anti-vegetarian.
“I love vegetarians, in fact pretty much all I eat are vegetarians,” said Nugent. “The absurdity of the Animal Rights agenda comes from some cosmic LSD-inspired fantasy that someone somewhere was not responsible for the death of something, which is a virtual impossibility. If you wear clothes, you have slaughtered gazillions of innocent creatures. If you eat tuna, the non-target species that were slaughtered to get one tuna in a can is unbelievable. How can you pretend that is not the procedure you are paying for?”

NUGE FAMILY VALUES
What about family values in the Nugent household?
“My household harkens back to the American dream origin of a family that promotes independence, while functioning as a team. There is nothing more important then communicating with family to know one‘s self better, and the better one is in tune with one‘s self, the better one will be an asset to one‘s son, daughter and wife, and to the community.”
Nugent he sees the disappearance of the family dinner table as another cause of obesity, drug and alcohol abuse and the general disconnect some of today’s youth are experiencing.
“As a parent, how do you love, guide, nurture and discipline -- which I consider to be the big four in parenting -- if this is not at the dinner table, then where? The rat race, the convenience of fast food outlets, is really the manifestation of a cultural deprivation, in excuse making -- and give me a break -- what is this, you don’t have time? What do you have to do? Hustle your ass off to buy another leather jacket -- you already have three -- you need another car -- you have two. Quality of life is going to come from prioritized time and quality relationships.”
Nugent attributes his ability to maintain such a hectic pace to the quality of food he ingests, his clean and sober lifestyle, and his mastery of one of life’s hardest tasks:
“I play a pretty mean guitar and I shoot bows and guns pretty well and I am a damn good father and husband and I try to be an involved activist for ‘we the people,‘ but what I have really mastered is time management,” said Nugent.
Having mastered time management must mean that Nugent will fit some live shows into his schedule soon -- well, maybe not.
“Are you kidding me? There is no way I am going to be rockin’ and rollin’ until at least Feburary. I have offers to do Saturday Night Live and whole bunch of other high exposure shows and events. I am sorry baby, but the rut is coming, and you can all kiss my ass because I am in a tree in the middle of the swamp.”

SACRED TIME
This is a sacred time for Nugent and his family. He looks foreword to the bow and rifle openers and coming north to hunt. He also wants to dispel the rumors about how much of Northern Michigan he actually owns.
“Let me set the record straight because I have heard all the rumors and they make me chuckle. No I do not own the U.P. in fact I don’t own any land in the U.P and never have,” said Nugent. “I only own land in Lake County, about 600 acres, and I have never owned land up north anywhere besides Lake County.”
After his book and CD signing, Nugent will take a group of hunters with him to his Lake County residence for a private guided opening day hunt. While he enjoys hunting, he sees his Border‘s appearance the appropriate spiritual setting to prepare for the hunt.
“My book signing at the Borders in Traverse City is going to be an American Dream Orgy, there is going to be more black and red flannel and orange caps then Borders has ever seen at one time, and I hope those sons of bitches are ready for this,” said Nugent. “I am ready to sign books and CD and shake the hands of thousands of powder-burned hands. It will be inspiring and a positive spiritual motivator for the weekend.”

TIMELESS MUSIC
While hunting is a big part of Nugent’s life, considering he lives to hunt and hunts to live, so is music and Uncle Ted wants it known that he ain’t dead yet.
“I see my musical career as timeless. I guess guys my age ought to have walkers -- hell most musicians from generation are dead from drugs and poor choices. What I pull off on stage is goofy and defies logic because I have more energy now then I did on my 20s. It is because of good diet and being clean and sober and focusing on priorities like communicating with my family. The more pleasure, joy and fulfillment my wife and children get from their quality of life, the more energy I get from that.”
After being one of the most successful musicians of the late ‘70s, Nugent realized that he was getting ripped off and made changes to management and approach to making music.
“There are a lot of bloodsuckers out there, so you have to keep things in house,” said Nugent. “A lot of connivers and unethical people -- in particular, attorneys and accountants. A musician, a true artist, must allow himself to be consumed by his statements, his music and his art; and in doing so -- to optimize the delivery of his most sincere music and art -- you expose yourself to corrupt and unethical people who will take financial advantage of you. If you get caught up in the logistics and the numbers of the industry then the music loses its balls. Get a good wife and a good manager!”

ROCK LIVES
Nugent feels that there is a lot of great music being made, and despite some of the snakes, he sees the industry as quite healthy.
I see rock’ n’ roll in good shape today. It is energized and volatile. I like the spirit of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day and Nickel Back and Puddle of Mud and Dave Mathews and Kid Rock. I have heard the new Aerosmith stuff and it is fantastic. Cheap Trick sent me a copy of their CD that will be out soon and it sounds good. Rock is alive and well out there.”
Despite the fact that his new work won’t get a lot of radio airplay or any videos on VH-1, Nugent likes his band and his sound. So do others.
“You better be wearing Kevlar pantyhose when you listen to my new CD because my boys are not of this planet. I attribute my longevity in this industry to the quality of musicians I surround myself with. My boys Marco Mendoza (bass) and Tommy Clufetos are gods of thunder and they bring a spirit of energy and attitude to my music that every musician dreams of. I get guys like Paul Shafer (David Letterman), Dave Matthews and my friends in Aerosmith all telling me, your guys are all so tight, you have very clever arrangements.”
Rumor has it that Nugent will ride into Border’s on his 3,000 lb pet buffalo Chief as he occasionally does at some of his concerts.
“Chief died, unfortunately, so I need to find a new Chief and that won’t be before Border‘s,” said Nugent. “Oh yeah, I have a DVD coming out next spring, ‘Full Bluntal Nugity’ and Shemane’s new book is coming out next year, ‘MRS: Married to a Rock Star,’ so all is well within Tribe Nuge.”

Ted Nugent comes to Traverse City on November 14 at the Borders Bookstore from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. to sign his books and CD. Borders asks that you leave all guns and knives at home. The campaign for Nugent for Governor begins at 2:00 when Nugent and his hunting buddies head to the woods. For information on the book and CD signing phone (231) 933-0412. For information on the 2006 Nugent Gubernatorial campaign or other Nugent activities visit www.tednugent.com .

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