Sparks seriously fly on Motor City Mayhem, the new live DVD and Blu-ray release from Ted Nugent, out June 30 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. Shot July 4, 2008, in front of a house packed with a wildly enthusiastic crowd of thousands at the outdoor DTE Energy Music Theatre in Nugent's hometown of Detroit, the disc documents the celebration of Ted’s 6000th live performance, including guest appearances and a set list of nearly two dozen Nugent favorites honoring his blues and soul roots. Of course, Ted is already looking ahead to his 7000th show: “I’m having a camouflage electronic walker built now.”
The multi-Platinum guitar icon, author, outspoken activist, television personality and avid outdoorsman celebrated this landmark event in true ultra Nuge style. Flanked by troops from the Selfridge Air National Guard, Ted kicked off the celebration with his electrifying version of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Meanwhile, the Nuge crew wheeled out a seven-foot-tall red, white and blue cake, from which WRIF-FM Rock Girl Cristy Lee emerged to surprise the rocker.
Says Ted: “The whole night was a barrage of wonderful, powerfully stimulating outrages. From the gorgeous girl coming out of the cake, to the presence of my family and friends, being surrounded by U.S. military heroes during the National Anthem, to the power of my band, the glow of the incredible audience, the spectacular performances by Derek St. Holmes, amazing Mitch Ryder drummer Johnny Bee, my original guitar teacher Joe Podorsek on ‘Honky Tonk,’ to the earth moving as everyone sang every word to my BloodBrother song ‘Fred Bear.’ It was nonstop mind dazzling intensity.”
One of the highlights of the night came when Tes reunited with childhood guitar teach Joe Podorsek for a heartfelt rendition of “Honky Tonk,” for which the two received a standing ovation. “Joe taught me so much way back when, and keeping in touch with him over the years has been very empowering,” Ted explains. “‘Honky Tonk’ never sounded so cool.” Ted's first public performance -- when he wasn't quite 10 years old -- was with Podorsek and the Capitol School of Music Revue in 1958 at the Polish Arts Festival at the Michigan State Fairgrounds.
Commenting on his performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” with troops from the Selfridge Air National Guard standing around him, Ted called the experience “very emotional and very inspiring. I have been blessed to hang with these hero warriors a lot and they always move me.”
Next up for Nugent: he’ll debut his new TV series Runnin’ Wild…From Ted Nugent, this August on CMT. The modern day Davy Crockett will teach ordinary people how to survive in the wild, and then evade the master…Nugent himself. He promises viewers “more over the top fun and outrage celebrating and promoting all the great things I believe in and live. We define hands-on conservation and responsible conscientious environmentalism while entertaining the hell out of the viewer…intense.”
Ted shows no signs of slowing down in any aspect of his life. “I'm not even warmed up yet! My new songs drive me wild, the hunting gets better every year and now my children and grandchildren can increase the overall joy by joining the old man! Life is indeed rather grand.”
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