Exclusive Interview with Ted Nugent!

CHRISTOVAL, TX— San Angelo LIVE!’s Tessa Koskovich secured an exclusive interview with the Motor City Madman himself, Ted Nugent.

Nugent is coming to the Concho Valley in April as part of his Stranglehold 50th Anniversary Tour with Cody Jasper.

San Angelo LIVE! emailed a set of questions to Nugent who responded.

How do you prepare for a live show in a venue like Christoval compared to larger arenas or festivals?

I began my preparation back around 1957 when I got my 1st guitar and amp and chased my Chuck Berry soulmusic dreams! No matter the conditions, whenever I perform it is always a pure out of body musical adventure experience that I celebrate with everything I have. Every one of these songs are so damn cool that the music has a life of its own and it’s all pure adrenaline, joy, and stream of consciousness.

What’s your favorite part about performing in small-town venues, and how does it differ from playing in major cities?

I jammed GREAT WHITE BUFFALO on the banks of the Limpopo River on the boarder of Botswana and South Africa for two naked tribesmen and let er rip the same as in front of half a million people at Cal Jam! I so thoroughly immerse myself in the music at every concert, it really doesn’t matter where, how big, when or for whom.

My incredible bandmates and I so dedicate our complete heart and soul into every song, every night, every concert that it eclipses any other consideration. By doing so, as maniac music lovers ourselves, we know that we always deliver the absolute best performance for every audience everytime.

What’s the energy like for you when performing in a more intimate setting with your fans?

See above!

Looking back on your legendary career, what are some of the standout moments that you’re most proud of?

Every single one of my insane 6984 rockouts and all the crazy fun people I have been so blessed with this unbelievable career! Hell, jamming in my mancave cuckoos nest arsenal of Democracy this morning for my three hunting dogs was a good as it gets!

You’ve had such a diverse career with music, activism, and hunting. How do you balance these different aspects of your life, and how does each influence the other?

Of all the incredible blessings in my life, the fact that I figured out the physics of spirituality, balance of the soul cleansing outdoor hunting, fishing, trapping lifestyle so long ago is the most powerful determinator for my quality of life and overall happiness.

I literally get giddy and hyperventilate in anticipation to every tour, every concert, every song, every night, every lick. The soul and ear cleansing silence of my annual 8 month, now yearlong hunting season and overall outdoor farming, ranching life prepares me better than anything available to mankind to throttle my style of skull dusting dance music. The combination is perfecto beyond your wildest imagination.

How did your early years in Detroit and your experiences in the 60s and 70s shape your musical style and approach to performances?

Having been surrounded by the world’s greatest musicians all my life going all the way back to my band the Lourds in 1960 in Detroit, I approach every musical day like a Martial Art of unlimited musical idea sharing.

Every band member has always been absolutely dedicated to the music, especially breaking the traditional musical rules while remaining true to the spirit of what Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Little Richard, James Brown, the might Motown family and all those amazing founding fathers created. Our work ethic has always been Herculean! Creating, ultra tight, energetic, soulful, authoritative FUN music has always remained the guiding force.

After all these years, what’s one thing about the music industry that still surprises you?

Nothing! Ultra good and ultra stupid! Just like life!

You’ve been influential in the rock and roll world for so long. Who were your biggest musical influences growing up, and how did they shape your sound?

In our developing teenage years the overwhelming influences from Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Little Richard, James Brown, Wilson Picket, BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, Jim McCarty, Mike Bloomfield, and eventually the Stones, Beatles, Kinks, Yardbirds, the Who, Clapton, Page, Beck, George Harrison and Hendrix were so infectious!

Dick Wagner, Steve Hunter, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Steve Correll of the Rationals, Cub Coda of Brownsville Station, Gary Quackenbush of SRC and many others were such killer guitarplayers that it created a whirlwind of guitar adventure challenges that were beyond powerful.

Ted Nugent will be performing at Cooper’s BBQ in Christoval, Texas on Saturday April 26, 2025, as part of his Stranglehold 50th Anniversary Tour with Cody Jasper. Get tickets HERE!