Ted Nugent Discusses His Upcoming ‘Rockin America Again’ Tour, Social Media, Possible New Album, and MORE

April 21, 2017 | By Shawn Thornton More

Ted Nugent is a LEGENDARY as it comes. He really needs no introduction, but I’ll give you one anyways. Ted has sold more than 40 million albums and has performed over 6,400 concerts around the world. He continues to be very outspoken regarding our nations first and second Amendment rights and always has choice words regarding politics. He recently announced his 2017 summer “Rockin America Again” tour which will make its trek across the USA beginning in June and wrapping up in Detroit Rock City in late August. (See dates below)

Realistically, it would take up an entire page to discuss everything Ted has done and accomplished. I grew up in Ted’s hometown of Detroit and was introduced to his music from listening to the mighty WRIF Radio and old radio station WLLZ in the early 80’s. Ted’s 1978 live album “Double Live Gonzo” was glued to my record player and Walkman as a teen. I recently had the opportunity to have a little Q and A with Ted where he discusses his upcoming tour, social media, a possible new album and MORE. Read on!

Legendary Rock Interviews: Thanks for taking the time for this Q and A. How have you been and what have you been up to lately?

Ted Nugent: I live the ultimate American Dream everyday living my rock-n-roll and outdoor lifestyle passions nonstop. God, family & country are everything to me and I am seriously active on a daily basis fixing our embarrassing broken government. We are also very active in numerous children’s, military and conservation charities. I rock full time and I hunt full time, plus I write for many publications to keep my life very exciting, adventurous and gratifying.

Ted Nugent and his wife Shemane in the Oval Office with President Trump along with Sarah Palin, Kid Rock and his new fiance, Audrey Berry on April 19th. 2017

LRI: You have another summer tour coming up. Tell us a little about what we can expect this summer and what it’s like playing with Greg Smith and Jason Hartless?

Ted Nugent: What you can always expect is sheer outrage and a ferocious animal dance soundtrack of freedom, attitude, liberty, spirit and all American defiance of all things status quo. Oh, yeah, and some killer love songs too. I’ve got the best band on planet earth with Greg Smith on bass and vocals and Jason Hartless on drums, and they put more energy and piss & vinegar into my music than any guitar player could ever dream of. If I wasn’t in this band I would go see them every night!

Ted Nugent and Greg Smith performing in 2014 at DTE Energy Music Theatre Jason Hartless performing with Ted Nugent in 2016

LRI: I noticed in the last year or two, you have been pretty active with doing Facebook LIVE, whether it’s to say a few words, jam some riffs or showcase some guitars or new gear. As a fan it’s been really cool to watch these. How do you like doing these and do you get a chance to read the feedback on those videos afterwards?

Ted Nugent: Open communication has always played a vital role in my quality of life, connecting with good, smart, workin hard, playin hard people around the world. This new technology literally creates a global campfire where instant dialog is possible. I hit my facebook pretty much every day and truly appreciate the shared positive spirit, goodwill and humor. I doubt old Zuckyburg had any idea his invention could be so powerfully effective in promoting truth, logic and commonsense!

LRI: In Detroit, Joe Louis Arena is closing down for good and its looking like the Palace Of Auburn Hills may be next. Do you have any favorite Detroit memories that you can share?

Ted Nugent: Having the amazing honor to perform at the mighty Cobo Hall with my band the Lourds way back in 1963, my Motorcity memory bank runneth over with mind dazzling memories and outrage! Whenever I perform no matter the venue it is truly a pure out of body experience, but I do look back fondly on every concert we unleashed at those historical landmarks.

LRI: 2014 was your last official release with “Shutup & Jam!” Are there any plans for a follow-up release? If so, would Derek St. Holmes be a part of that again?

Ted Nugent: I’m working on new songs now that drive me nuts. There is no concrete schedule to record as of yet, but we certainly do hope so ASAP. Derek is my Motown BloodBrother. We create killer firebreathing music together. I always look forward to our jams. The man deserves me.

Ted Nugent performing with Derek St. Holmes back in 2014 at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI

LRI: In regards to releasing new music. Some artists have stated that its pointless to make a new album if no one is buying records and royalties from streaming is extremely low. What are your thoughts on that?

Ted Nugent: I play my guitars everyday with passion and fiery all American R&B rock-n-roll erupts with a life of its own on a daily basis. It’s so much fun it’s stupid. It is impossible for me to walk past one of my guitars without fondling it madly and creating pure animal breeding music everyday. I still crave the stuff, and I’m constantly unleashing exciting, driving, fun music. With rock radio strangled by some strange “no new music” limitation, it is heartbreaking and tragic that the incentive is gone to cultivate new talent and new music. We pray this self-inflicted scourge ends ASAP.

Ted Nugent, Rockin America Again 2017 Tour Dates

6/23 — Wendover, NV @ Peppermill Concert Hall
6/24 — Sparks, NV @ Nugget Casino Resort
6/27 — Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
6/28 — Agoura Hills, CA @ The Canyon
6/29 — San Juan Capistrano, CA @ The Coach House
6/30 — San Juan Capistrano, CA @ The Coach House
7/2 — Pasadena, CA @ The Rose
7/3 — Big Bear Lake, CA @ The Cave Big Bear
7/7 — Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion
7/8 — Ft.Worth, TX @ Billy Bob’s Texas
7/11 — Bonita Springs, FL @ SanJan Theatre
7/12 — Bonita Springs, FL @ SanJan Theatre
7/13 — Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre
7/14 — Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live
7/15 — Birmingham, AL @ Iron City
7/16 — Montgomery, AL @ Montgomery Performing Arts Centre
7/19 — Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
7/20 — Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre
7/21 — Hillsboro, MO @ Jefferson County Fair
7/22 — Fond du Lac, WI @ Fond du Lac County Fair
7/23 — Lexington, MI @ Lexington Village Theatre
7/24 — Lexington, MI @ Lexington Village Theatre
7/27 — Effingham, IL @ Effingham Performance Center
7/28 — Bonner Springs, KS @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
7/29 — Camdenton, MO @ Ozarks Amphitheater
7/30 — St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
7/31 — St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
8/3 — Clear Lake, IA @ Surf Ballroom
8/4 — Wausau, WI @ Wisconsin Valley Fair
8/5 — Medina, MN @ Medina Entertainemnt Center
8/8 — New York, NY @ B.B. King Live Blues Club & Grill
8/9 — Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
8/10 — Portland, ME @ Aura
8/15 — Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penn’s Peak
8/16 — Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
8/18 — Battle Creek, MI @ FireKeppers Casino
8/19 — Morgantown, WV @ Triple S Harley Davidson
8/20 — Greensburg, PA @ The Palace Theatre
8/25 — Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill