With their combined musical careers spanning more than three-quarters of a century, guitar legends Ted Nugent and Pat Travers bring a wealth of experience to the stage. Bring these two icons of rock music together and the result is nothing short of a hard rock guitar enthusiast’s wet dream. For several thousand lucky fans, the dream becomes reality on June 30th, when Ruth Eckerd Hall will play host to both Travers and the “Motor City Madman” for one night of high voltage rock.
In anticipation of this event, I had the opportunity to pick Ted Nugent’s brain on a few random subjects.
You've threatened to run for public office several times in the past. What kind of reception do you think you'd get in Washington if elected to Congress, the Senate or even as Governor?
I have had positive dialog with many elected officials while performing my ongoing duties of we the people activism, but quite honestly, I do not care about reception, perception or camaraderie in such a setting, but only about my insistence on bringing logic, truth and common sense back into policy making in an otherwise dishonest, corrupt, dysfunctional government out of control.
If you had not become a musician, what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I do so much as it is, musician, writer, speaker, hunting guide, law enforcement officer, off road racer, standup comedian, TV producer, gay rights advocate, Motown dance instructor, professional breeder, etc etc, that I'm sure my passions would still dominate my American Dream without the music, though the thought of not rocking is rather silly.
What attracted you to the Byrdland hollow-body guitar, instead of a solid body guitar, such as a Les Paul or Stratocaster?
Certainly the overall soulful defiant throttle of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddly music, but it was Jimmy McCarty lead-guitarist supreme of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels that imprinted on my spirit so powerfully that nailed it for me.
Stranded on safari in the jungle with only one item, what would it be?
A cheerleader.
Be sure to check out Nugent’s Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead tour when it hits Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall on Wednesday, June 30th. Pat Travers will open the show, which is scheduled to start at 7:30pm.
Check back for a show review and pics to follow.
This article appears in Jun 17-23, 2010.