December 21, 2025 • 26 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Michael Barry Joe.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
You know him as the MotorCity mad Man. I know
him as Uncle Ted, one of our favorite guests of
all time. Heck, one of our favorite people of all time.
Leave the music, the hunting, the cooking, the politics, just
an inspiration in life. Ted Nugent, Welcome to the program, you.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Know, Mike. I feel welcome and from a favorite people
to another favorite people. I'm talking to you from a
beautiful monsoon in Waco, Texas. So happy twenty twenty five
to you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
No got we needed it though, didn't we?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (00:34):
I love the rain. I love Mother Nature even when
she gives me the middle finger. I love storms until
the damage begins. But yeah, I've got a beautiful ranch
here in Texas and the vegetation the range is lush
and productive. The wildlife are celebrating. They're growing many new
backstraps for the fall harvest. So I'm a happy, happy
rock and roller.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Well, it's always a blast to have you on because
you bring such a message hope, inspiration, dedication, commitment, motivation.
I think happiness is a choice that we make, and
more than happen is contentment, fulfillment, purpose and by Golly
you found yours brother.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Well and Michael backyt Shall. I mean, I'm addicted to
truth logic and common sense. Not my truth logic and
common sense, but the evidence drench truth logic and common
sense that you represent so eloquently, so beautifully and with
a crowbar when necessary. But I listened to Michael Berry
Radio and you represent the heartbeat, the spirit, the attitude,
(01:34):
the energy, the hope, the dreams. I mean, I know
this gets kind of mushy right now.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
No, not at all.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
We are coming out of.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Enough about you, more about me.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
We are coming well. We're coming out of a very
heartbreaking toilet flush by the Deep State Uncle Sam, Joe
Biden gang, and there is unbelievable hope right now. I'll
be seventy seven, and I've never been more hopeful. I've
never been more happy with the direction of our country.
And plus I just had lunch with a bunch of
hard work in fellow Texas here and the spirit and
(02:06):
the work, ethic, godfamily country is now the battle cry
that as ubiquitous across the land, and my music represents that.
You and I talking about it represents that. So once again,
thank you for having me on.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Let's do something we don't do enough of them. We'll
get back to politics and culture and life and cooking
and hunting. Let's talk about your music. The fiftieth anniversary
of Stranglehold. It's hard to believe. I don't know if
it's hard for you to believe. It's hard to believe
fifty years and I know you've got some very exciting
things for fans planned out for that. Let's discuss that.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Well, Am, We've talked about this before, that my music
has power and authority because of the incredible musicians that
have been at my side for the last sixty five years.
And we recorded Stranglehold in nineteen seventy five with Rob
Grange and Cliff Davis and Derek Saint Holmes, my producers,
Tom Worman and engineer Tony Reality. Everybody just immersed themselves
(03:08):
into the spirit, the sound, the drum tones, the guitar tones,
the bass tones, the lyric content, the piss and the vinegar,
the energy of that song. And people have embraced the
song Stranglehold fifty years and onward, especially Michael, the Navy
Seals that call me, the Army Rangers, the Green Beret
Delta Force that used that song during their training end
(03:31):
when they're putting their life on the line. And I
can't imagine a testimonial that gives a guy more confidence
and happiness than a piece of music represents that to
those superhuman beings. So yeah, fifty years of straggling. And
by the way, I played it for a buddy of
mine and my man Cave Cuckoo's Nest arsenal of Democracy
this morning, and the hairs on my arm stood up
(03:52):
fully erect because I still love the spirit of that song.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Well, it is timeless, it is truly timeless. I don't
know that we've ever done this. Let's talk about where
that song came from, because I believe that art floats
in the ether and you just grab hold of it
for a moment. But what was going on with you?
How did you first hear it? Were you noodling on
the guitar or did you hear it completely? Tell me
(04:16):
about that.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Well, I'm always playing. I played my guitar and shoot
my bow and trained with my firearms literally, Michael, every day.
It's just it's stuff that I have a passion about.
They all play a pragmatic and inspirational purpose in my life.
But in my youth. I was always playing Chuck Berry
and Bo Diddley and Little Richard and Motown funk Brothers,
and the right hand on my guitar developed a percussiveness,
(04:43):
a rhythmical kind of a nugent MotorCity version of Bo
Diddley's chuck a chuck A chucka. And just one day
I was tuning my guitar and that happened. That move happened,
and there was really nothing I could do about it.
It had a heartbeat of its own, and then the
lyrics just flowed. The lyrics are defiance against the music
(05:04):
industry that turned me down for all those years because
long guitar solos don't make it anymore. We need some
pop music and disco's coming in. And I said, yeah,
well listen to this song, kids. So the song is
one of defiance against an industry that was losing its
touch with the original black influences of soul music and
rhythm and blues inspired rock and roll. So like this morning, Michael,
(05:28):
this morning, I was playing a Gibson Birdland through a
fender to an app and I'm telling you all these
new variations kind of a bastardized honky tonk meets boogie woogie,
and there's always new topography to explore on the guitar neck.
And because I have such a passion and a dedication
to trying to be Chuck Berry when I grow up,
(05:49):
that all these new lick patterns happen. It happens all
the time.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
You know, you have talked a lot over the years
in our conversations about Chuck Berry, and I think a
lot of young folks to say, will have no idea
how big Chuck Berry was and also how influential Chuck
Berry was. Why is that for you?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Well, I think I've summarized it numerous times in interviews,
and the facts remain that there's not a piece of music. Now.
It is a bold, expansive statement, which I'm pretty good at,
but there isn't a piece of music, Michael Berry, that
you really get a kick out of and want to
turn up when it comes on the radio and makes
(06:33):
your truck go faster that doesn't have an essence of
what Chuck Berry created cadence wise, rhythmically, upbeat, spirit wise, cocky,
irreverent fun. There is not a powerful piece of music
in anyone's life. And I'd be glad to debate this
(06:54):
for anybody that doesn't have a direct inspiration from Chuck
Berry's case, I don't care if it's country, I don't
care if it's blues. I don't care if it's rock
and roll. Even a lot of pop music they've got
that Chuck Berry cadence that when you listen to Johnny
be Good or Carol or roll Over Beethoven or Sweet Sixteen,
you listen to those original Chuck Berry songs, and it's
(07:17):
a parent that all moving, authoritative music comes from that genius.
And Michael I played bass guitar with Chuck Berry, which
is why I am like I am today. I promise you.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, you know your life experiences. Of course they didn't
happen by chance. You made them happen. You made your experience. Oh,
I'm up against prank hold on this moment. Uncle Ted
Ted Nugent is our guest. You can find out more
at Ted Nugent dot com, Ted Nugent dot com if
you are a Nuge fan, he's got some exciting stuff
(07:51):
coming up at nuge vault dot com nudge vault dot com.
We'll talk about.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Us Duck King of ding It and this other Michael Barry.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
This is a kind of guy you like to smacking
as uncle Ted. Ted Nugent, the Motor City Madman is
our guest, and normally over the years and it's been
many that he comes on the show, we talk about politics,
we talk about culture, We talk about who he's pissed
off lately, who he he what changes he wants or
We talk about hunting and food and family and nature
(08:24):
and faith and these important things. But today is a
treat for me because I figure he's tired of talking
about music all the time and there's much more to
him than that. But today we're getting to talk about
the music, and that's a treat because I don't normally
get to uncle Ted. You have something exciting going on
at the nuge Vault, which is nugevault dot com. Talk
(08:46):
about that.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Please well again, Michael, thanks bro letting me share my
passions and my love of music and the American dream
with you. I'm just such a lucky guy with all
these incredible dedication musicians at my side. In twenty twenty five,
with John Coots on drums and Jason Hartless and Johnny
Big on bass were playing Kenny Storr in Brenham Dex's
(09:10):
next weekend, and we've been doing these speakes. He's around
the state, and I'm telling you, talking about defying gravity.
I am having more guitar music fun in twenty twenty
five doing these gigs around my home state of Texas
than I ever have. In fact, I will be doing
my seven thousandth concert. And what happened during rehearsals in
(09:30):
the barn and Michigan is my drummer Jason Hartless saw
all these vats and all these boxes piled sky high
around my trucks and my deer blinds, and he said,
what's all that stuff? And I go, oh, those are
old tapes of rehearsals and jam sessions and recording sessions.
He started digging, Michael. He has unearthed the jam sessions
and the songwriting sessions, and the outtakes and the demos
(09:54):
and the unfinished tapes of all the recordings, thousands of
and it's just fascinating history of not just Ted Nugent
rock and roll, but the origins of rock and roll,
from the founding fathers that Chuck Berry's and the Motown
Funk Brothers and now at Nuge Vault. It's fascinating a
(10:16):
place called nuge vault dot com. We've got these subscribers
that are just doing double backflips because of the outtakes
and the demos and the jam sessions and a lot
of my very fun interviews like I do with Michael Berry.
But all of this is available at nugevault dot com
and people are just getting having a riot with it,
and so am I because it's really rekindling a lot
(10:39):
of the memories of just unbelievable moments where these songs happened,
and these jam sessions created these new songs, and these
amazing musicians would collaborate with ideas. So it's nuge vault
dot com and we'll be exposing a lot of that
on a bunch of gigs here in Texas and then
up in Michigan in August.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You know, and I know that special for you. You're a
Texan now, through and through, but I know Michigan holds
a special place in your heart. I had a Sunday
school teacher say to me twenty five years ago, if
you want to know who you said to all of
us in the class, We want to know who you're
going to be five years from now. Look at your
closest friends, because they're going to pick you up or
(11:19):
they're going to drop you down. They're going to take
you with them where they're going. That's where you're headed.
And it's interesting. I talk to a lot of musicians.
I'm passionate about music. I can't make music, but somebody
has to consume it, right, And I'm really passionate about
how the art is made and what it means to
people and these sorts of things. And you talk about collaboration.
(11:40):
Every time you and I talk and I ask you
a question about Ted Nugent and what Ted Nugent has done,
you always go to a Chuck Berry comes up a lot.
You always go to the influences and the collaboration. And
I think that's a takeaway whatever you're in. If you're
a financial advisor, a plant worker, people you surround yourself
(12:01):
with and bounce off of are gonna make you better
or worse. And I hear that from you every time
I talk to you, how playing with other people and
their influences and those collaborations is a thrill for you
and has made you who you are. And I think
that's important.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
I don't think there's anything more important. My dad used
to say as I was growing up, tell me who
you hang with, and I'll tell you who you are. Now.
I dismiss that in my stupidity of youth, but it
turned out to be true. And I have an inner circle,
quite an expansive inner circle, Michael, which, by the way,
you're a member of a good people of the spirit,
(12:40):
good will and decency, work, ethic, God, family, country. Still
conduct our lives based on the Constitution, the build rights
and decoration of independence and commandments, the Golden Rule, law
and order, good over evil, self defense, freedom of speech, etc. Etc.
And those are the people that I have accumulated in
my family, my friends, my band, my crew, my management,
(13:04):
my hunting buddies. I have a hunting operation called Sunrise Safaris,
and Michael, I share campfires with hundreds and hundreds of
families every year. And that's why I salute you, because
when you talk, you talk just like those families around
the campfire that put their heart and soul into being
(13:25):
the best that you can be. And when you put
your heart and soul into being the best that you
can be as a musician, great music happens. So I've
always surrounded myself with the best rhythm section, the best singers,
the best creators, and you hear that in the music.
The performance that these guys put into my compositions is
(13:46):
every artist's dream because there's a passion. And by the way,
we keep mentioning Chuck Berry. Everybody in all of my
bands and all of my crew, everybody references Chuck Berry.
So that cadence, that spirit, that energy, that uppiness, that defiance,
there's a lot of defiance in that music, and that's
(14:07):
what inspires us. And even though we're old men now, Michael,
when we get in the barn and start jamming, it's
like a bunch of kids. It's like a bunch of
kids that want to play Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley
and play motown hits. In fact, we do. That's how
all of our rehearsals start with those classic songs. And
once you start hitting those rhythms and those movements, all
(14:28):
of a sudden, it can become your own when you
create your own chord patterns, your own melodies, your own lyrics,
and your own arrangements. And that's attributed to these unbelievable
musicians that are at my side. Again. John kutz On
drums out of Waco, Texas, Jason Hartless on drums out
of Nashville, Johnny Big out of Waco here on bass
(14:51):
and vocals. I hope you can come to Brenham on Saturday,
the thirty first of May. The music has never been
more tight. James Brown would hire us as his band.
We're so tight and so energetic. So these are the
good old days of my music. I'm telling you, you know.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
The Kinney Store is where he's going to be by
the Way, which is a great, great venue owned by
two cops, and they're fantastic people. They have a very
loyal audience there and get there early. The food is
actually amazing. Ted Nugent is our guest. You know, you
inspire me. You talk about your age and in the
number of years you've done this. Two of the people
(15:30):
I admire the most in the world for what they
do and their art and their craft Hank Williams Junior
and Dan Pastorini, both of whom turned seventy six on
Tuesday of this week. I got to tell you, I
bet when you were early in your career, nobody would
have said that Ted Nugent would be an inspiration for
longevity and happiness. But by golly, you have been. And
(15:52):
that's that's in and of itself incredible.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
I'm on a mission from God, Michael. Yeah. Now, it's
about It's about work ethic. It's about dedication to providing
for your family and being in the asset column, being
willing to make risks and sacrifices so that you're again
there's only two columns. There's the asset column and there's
a liability column. And my dad, disciplined slash, forced us
(16:22):
into being in the asset column. The productive members of
our family, our neighborhood, our community, our great nations, and
as a sportsman, as a hunter and a trapper and
a fisherman, an asset to the good earth that provides
us quality of life. So can you hold mysterious man?
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Can you hold it?
Speaker 1 (16:38):
This moment?
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Ted is our guest Ted Nugent dot com more coming
on a new project called the nuge Vault. You can
find it. A nuge Vault dot Com is described as
your front row seat to submerge yourself in rock and
roll history like never before. This is occasioned by Ted
Nugent's celebration of the fiftieth five zero anniversary of his
(17:01):
iconic rock album. Al it's an anthem album. Sorry, I
lost my train of thought, stranglehold. He's got a speakeasy
rockout gig tour going on. He's going to be at
the Kenney Store this weekend on the thirty first. He's
got a blank kicker. I'm not allowed to say it,
but it rhymes with pitt kicker. Speakeasy rockouts in Michigan
(17:26):
and Texas this spring and summer. Uncle Ted played for
us at the RCC, and I will tell you a
couple of takeaways I have from that, folks. Number one
is people love uncle Ted. We sold out just like that.
We sold out fast. Number two is we have never
needed so much sound. It was an entire eighteen wheeler
(17:46):
of speakers that came in. It was insane, I mean insane.
Number three, this guy's been doing this for more years
than I've been alive. And he does not mail it in.
You pay good money and he gives you everything he's
got on stage and before and after, and as a
(18:07):
venue owner, that mattered more to me than anything else.
And I don't know if I've ever thanked you for that,
but that was a hell of a night. Brother.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Every night, Thank you for that, Michael, And you're right.
There is an energy level that the real music lovers
bring to me, and the inspiration from the audience is
actually dangerous. I mean, I sweat so much on stage.
We have ducks on the limit to come in because
they expect to flush a mallard from my puddle of
sweat on stage. Yes, there's a there's a James Brown
(18:38):
work ethic that we deliver every night. And I tell
my band before we go on, tonight is the most
important concert of our life. And we say that every night,
because every night is the most important concert of our life.
We want to deliver the beast, the grind, the groove,
the fun and the spirit, the piss and the vinegar,
(19:00):
the middle finger against all things evil, which I weave
into the wonderful, entertaining evening. But yeah, well, thank you
for that, because the people do rave about our shows.
Because I've I'm out of control. I mean, I get
on stage. I can't wait to get on stage and
play these songs. As a guitar player, I just happen
to have created some of the most exciting and fun
guitar leaks to ever play. So I'm still like a
(19:23):
crazy kid back in Detroit nineteen fifty nine. When I
get ready to perform every night, and I think the
people have noticed that. They celebrate that, and their reciprocity
from audience to stage is like a tsunami of energy.
So once again, how lucky can I be?
Speaker 4 (19:39):
All Right?
Speaker 2 (19:39):
I'm going to ask you a series of questions, but
I'm not going to let ted Nugent be ted nugent.
I just want you to give the shortest, most succinct
answer you can and without giving it much thought, just
whatever pops in your brain.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Okay, you got it.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
You're going to walk out right now and pick up
a bow and shoot it. It's the bow that's going
to allow you to be most accurate. What is.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
I'm shooting a new Matthew's Lift lightweight forty eight pound draw.
The mystical flight of the arrow has never been more
accurate with this technology. So that's the bow of my
choice these days?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Is there an arrow of choice? I don't know a
lot about archery. You know.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
I'm shooting some gold tip arrows. They've been making the
ten Neugent Zebra gold tip arrow for years. But I'm
also experimenting with a bunch of other arrows. That state
of archery and marksmanship, firearms and optics and AMMO is
at an all time high. So it's about what you're
most comfortable with, what feels good to you, And it
is important that that bow or that gun feels right,
(20:39):
and that's the one you should shoot, all right?
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Not your favorite. But if I ask you right now
to lay your hands and it might be on your hip,
might be in your pocket, it might be on the
table next to you, on the nearest handgun, what would
it be?
Speaker 1 (20:53):
It's the same block model twenty ten millimeters this on
my right hip, along with four magazines on my left hip.
Every day, everywhere, once Ted Nugent shows up, it is
no longer a gun free zone. I probably.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
All right? What about what knife you could lay your
hands on the fastest? Right now?
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I've got my old Victorianox pocket knife in my left pocket,
and I got a brand new steel Force a folding
knife on my right pocket, and I have a Leatherman
tool on my left hip. I'm out like a hardware store.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
What meat did you most enjoy that you ate at
home that you killed within the last week.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
A beautiful sow pig right here on the North Boski
River with my bone arrow and she was just about
seventy five eighty pounds and it was the most delicious
max strap with garlic and pepper and honey. I swear
to God, it's the meat of the gods.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Now, will you make chops and bacon and all that
out of her?
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Absolutely? Yeah, we use it all man, Good for you.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
What do they say that the ruder to the tutor,
that's the way to do it, especially with it.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Well, yeah, that's called the conservation, the wise use of
a natural resource. And I always say the cuter, the cruter,
the sweeter the meat.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Now is that a Is that a culinary reference?
Speaker 1 (22:20):
I think it is. That's why I like lamb chops
so much.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
I do too. I like the lamb lollipops. I don't
know why that is, but it's a yes.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
With the bone, you gotta have the ball, right, It's.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
Just like it's it's a built in handle, you know,
it's like a toothbrush you can eat. I absolutely, absolutely
love it. All right. Tell me a movie that you
have watched in the last month. It may not be
the all time greatest or you're what you want to
be defined by that you really enjoyed.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Man on Fire with Denzel Washington. I love. I'm a
big fan of Revenge.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Yes, me too, Vindication very good. Okay, tell me somebody
that you are good friends with a select from whatever
field that people would be surprised you're friends with because
y'all may not share the same political views.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Well, there's a gentleman who has a band called Rage
Against the Machine. His name is Tom Morello, and he
plays guitar and occasion with Bruce Springsteen and Bruce Springsteen
even though he had his foot in his mouth more
often than necessary. Bruce and Tom and I were all
raised on Chuck Berry and Mitch Ryder music, so I
will overlook the stupid politics and just jam on killer music.
(23:33):
How's that.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
I love it, and I can appreciate that the art
at that moment takes precedence. You know, it's really too
bad because Springsteen has written some really good stuff, and
I love his hard scrabble story and I love his
truth in his his how he stayed true to New
Jersey in the gritty, you know, New Jersey streets. But
my goodness, his mind is warped. It's absolutely warped. When's
(23:57):
the last time you spoke to President Trump. I know
he adores you.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Just a couple of months ago.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
I'm congratulating him, and I'm bringing a lot of important
issues to the forefront. Some people who have been illegally
law fared, like a fellon farmer in Michigan who's never
been a wrestler or given a speeding ticket, but he's
now a fellon because he had a bad muffler on
a tractor according to the Jack.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Boots Thugs of the Epea. So we're seeking a pardon
for this good man. Those are the kinds of issues
that I fight for every day. And the great Donald Trump,
who's a real commander in chief, he is addressing those.
We got a sheriff pardoned in West Virginia who was
law fared, and there's been so.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Much of that. We have a target rich environment out there.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Yeah, I think Ed Martin's going to do a great
job at that. Uncle Ted, I'm up against a break.
We always appreciate your time, Ted Nugent dot com. You
can go to the nuge Vault nuge Vault dot com.
We love you, brother, I.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Love you back. Michael, godspeed.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
But if you like the Michael Berry Show in podcast
please tell one friend, and if you're so inclined, write
a nice review of our podcast. Comments, suggestions, questions, and
interest in being a corporate sponsor and partner can be
communicated directly to the show at our email address, Michael
(25:15):
at Michael Berryshow dot com, or simply by clicking on
our website Michael Berryshow dot com. The Michael Berry Show
and Podcast is produced by Ramon Roeblis, the King of Ding.
Executive producer is Chad Knakanishi. Jim Mudd is the creative director.
(25:40):
Voices Jingles, Tomfoolery and Shenanigans are provided by Chance McLean.
Director of Research is Sandy Peterson. Emily Bull is our
assistant listener and superfan. Contributions are appreciated and often incorporated
into our production. Where possible, we give credit, where not,
(26:03):
we take all the credit for ourselves. God bless the
memory of Rush Limbaugh. Long live Elvis, be a simple
man like Leonard Skinnard told you, and God bless America. Finally,
if you know a veteran suffering from PTSD, call Camp
Hope at eight seven seven seven one seven PTSD and
(26:28):
a combat veteran will answer the phone to provide free counseling,
The Michael Barry Joe.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
You know him as the MotorCity mad Man. I know
him as Uncle Ted, one of our favorite guests of
all time. Heck, one of our favorite people of all time.
Leave the music, the hunting, the cooking, the politics, just
an inspiration in life. Ted Nugent, Welcome to the program, you.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Know, Mike. I feel welcome and from a favorite people
to another favorite people. I'm talking to you from a
beautiful monsoon in Waco, Texas. So happy twenty twenty five
to you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
No got we needed it though, didn't we?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (00:34):
I love the rain. I love Mother Nature even when
she gives me the middle finger. I love storms until
the damage begins. But yeah, I've got a beautiful ranch
here in Texas and the vegetation the range is lush
and productive. The wildlife are celebrating. They're growing many new
backstraps for the fall harvest. So I'm a happy, happy
rock and roller.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Well, it's always a blast to have you on because
you bring such a message hope, inspiration, dedication, commitment, motivation.
I think happiness is a choice that we make, and
more than happen is contentment, fulfillment, purpose and by Golly
you found yours brother.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Well and Michael backyt Shall. I mean, I'm addicted to
truth logic and common sense. Not my truth logic and
common sense, but the evidence drench truth logic and common
sense that you represent so eloquently, so beautifully and with
a crowbar when necessary. But I listened to Michael Berry
Radio and you represent the heartbeat, the spirit, the attitude,
(01:34):
the energy, the hope, the dreams. I mean, I know
this gets kind of mushy right now.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
No, not at all.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
We are coming out of.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Enough about you, more about me.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
We are coming well. We're coming out of a very
heartbreaking toilet flush by the Deep State Uncle Sam, Joe
Biden gang, and there is unbelievable hope right now. I'll
be seventy seven, and I've never been more hopeful. I've
never been more happy with the direction of our country.
And plus I just had lunch with a bunch of
hard work in fellow Texas here and the spirit and
(02:06):
the work, ethic, godfamily country is now the battle cry
that as ubiquitous across the land, and my music represents that.
You and I talking about it represents that. So once again,
thank you for having me on.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Let's do something we don't do enough of them. We'll
get back to politics and culture and life and cooking
and hunting. Let's talk about your music. The fiftieth anniversary
of Stranglehold. It's hard to believe. I don't know if
it's hard for you to believe. It's hard to believe
fifty years and I know you've got some very exciting
things for fans planned out for that. Let's discuss that.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Well, Am, We've talked about this before, that my music
has power and authority because of the incredible musicians that
have been at my side for the last sixty five years.
And we recorded Stranglehold in nineteen seventy five with Rob
Grange and Cliff Davis and Derek Saint Holmes, my producers,
Tom Worman and engineer Tony Reality. Everybody just immersed themselves
(03:08):
into the spirit, the sound, the drum tones, the guitar tones,
the bass tones, the lyric content, the piss and the vinegar,
the energy of that song. And people have embraced the
song Stranglehold fifty years and onward, especially Michael, the Navy
Seals that call me, the Army Rangers, the Green Beret
Delta Force that used that song during their training end
(03:31):
when they're putting their life on the line. And I
can't imagine a testimonial that gives a guy more confidence
and happiness than a piece of music represents that to
those superhuman beings. So yeah, fifty years of straggling. And
by the way, I played it for a buddy of
mine and my man Cave Cuckoo's Nest arsenal of Democracy
this morning, and the hairs on my arm stood up
(03:52):
fully erect because I still love the spirit of that song.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Well, it is timeless, it is truly timeless. I don't
know that we've ever done this. Let's talk about where
that song came from, because I believe that art floats
in the ether and you just grab hold of it
for a moment. But what was going on with you?
How did you first hear it? Were you noodling on
the guitar or did you hear it completely? Tell me
(04:16):
about that.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Well, I'm always playing. I played my guitar and shoot
my bow and trained with my firearms literally, Michael, every day.
It's just it's stuff that I have a passion about.
They all play a pragmatic and inspirational purpose in my life.
But in my youth. I was always playing Chuck Berry
and Bo Diddley and Little Richard and Motown funk Brothers,
and the right hand on my guitar developed a percussiveness,
(04:43):
a rhythmical kind of a nugent MotorCity version of Bo
Diddley's chuck a chuck A chucka. And just one day
I was tuning my guitar and that happened. That move happened,
and there was really nothing I could do about it.
It had a heartbeat of its own, and then the
lyrics just flowed. The lyrics are defiance against the music
(05:04):
industry that turned me down for all those years because
long guitar solos don't make it anymore. We need some
pop music and disco's coming in. And I said, yeah,
well listen to this song, kids. So the song is
one of defiance against an industry that was losing its
touch with the original black influences of soul music and
rhythm and blues inspired rock and roll. So like this morning, Michael,
(05:28):
this morning, I was playing a Gibson Birdland through a
fender to an app and I'm telling you all these
new variations kind of a bastardized honky tonk meets boogie woogie,
and there's always new topography to explore on the guitar neck.
And because I have such a passion and a dedication
to trying to be Chuck Berry when I grow up,
(05:49):
that all these new lick patterns happen. It happens all
the time.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
You know, you have talked a lot over the years
in our conversations about Chuck Berry, and I think a
lot of young folks to say, will have no idea
how big Chuck Berry was and also how influential Chuck
Berry was. Why is that for you?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Well, I think I've summarized it numerous times in interviews,
and the facts remain that there's not a piece of music. Now.
It is a bold, expansive statement, which I'm pretty good at,
but there isn't a piece of music, Michael Berry, that
you really get a kick out of and want to
turn up when it comes on the radio and makes
(06:33):
your truck go faster that doesn't have an essence of
what Chuck Berry created cadence wise, rhythmically, upbeat, spirit wise, cocky,
irreverent fun. There is not a powerful piece of music
in anyone's life. And I'd be glad to debate this
(06:54):
for anybody that doesn't have a direct inspiration from Chuck
Berry's case, I don't care if it's country, I don't
care if it's blues. I don't care if it's rock
and roll. Even a lot of pop music they've got
that Chuck Berry cadence that when you listen to Johnny
be Good or Carol or roll Over Beethoven or Sweet Sixteen,
you listen to those original Chuck Berry songs, and it's
(07:17):
a parent that all moving, authoritative music comes from that genius.
And Michael I played bass guitar with Chuck Berry, which
is why I am like I am today. I promise you.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, you know your life experiences. Of course they didn't
happen by chance. You made them happen. You made your experience. Oh,
I'm up against prank hold on this moment. Uncle Ted
Ted Nugent is our guest. You can find out more
at Ted Nugent dot com, Ted Nugent dot com if
you are a Nuge fan, he's got some exciting stuff
(07:51):
coming up at nuge vault dot com nudge vault dot com.
We'll talk about.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Us Duck King of ding It and this other Michael Barry.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
This is a kind of guy you like to smacking
as uncle Ted. Ted Nugent, the Motor City Madman is
our guest, and normally over the years and it's been
many that he comes on the show, we talk about politics,
we talk about culture, We talk about who he's pissed
off lately, who he he what changes he wants or
We talk about hunting and food and family and nature
(08:24):
and faith and these important things. But today is a
treat for me because I figure he's tired of talking
about music all the time and there's much more to
him than that. But today we're getting to talk about
the music, and that's a treat because I don't normally
get to uncle Ted. You have something exciting going on
at the nuge Vault, which is nugevault dot com. Talk
(08:46):
about that.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Please well again, Michael, thanks bro letting me share my
passions and my love of music and the American dream
with you. I'm just such a lucky guy with all
these incredible dedication musicians at my side. In twenty twenty five,
with John Coots on drums and Jason Hartless and Johnny
Big on bass were playing Kenny Storr in Brenham Dex's
(09:10):
next weekend, and we've been doing these speakes. He's around
the state, and I'm telling you, talking about defying gravity.
I am having more guitar music fun in twenty twenty
five doing these gigs around my home state of Texas
than I ever have. In fact, I will be doing
my seven thousandth concert. And what happened during rehearsals in
(09:30):
the barn and Michigan is my drummer Jason Hartless saw
all these vats and all these boxes piled sky high
around my trucks and my deer blinds, and he said,
what's all that stuff? And I go, oh, those are
old tapes of rehearsals and jam sessions and recording sessions.
He started digging, Michael. He has unearthed the jam sessions
and the songwriting sessions, and the outtakes and the demos
(09:54):
and the unfinished tapes of all the recordings, thousands of
and it's just fascinating history of not just Ted Nugent
rock and roll, but the origins of rock and roll,
from the founding fathers that Chuck Berry's and the Motown
Funk Brothers and now at Nuge Vault. It's fascinating a
(10:16):
place called nuge vault dot com. We've got these subscribers
that are just doing double backflips because of the outtakes
and the demos and the jam sessions and a lot
of my very fun interviews like I do with Michael Berry.
But all of this is available at nugevault dot com
and people are just getting having a riot with it,
and so am I because it's really rekindling a lot
(10:39):
of the memories of just unbelievable moments where these songs happened,
and these jam sessions created these new songs, and these
amazing musicians would collaborate with ideas. So it's nuge vault
dot com and we'll be exposing a lot of that
on a bunch of gigs here in Texas and then
up in Michigan in August.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You know, and I know that special for you. You're a
Texan now, through and through, but I know Michigan holds
a special place in your heart. I had a Sunday
school teacher say to me twenty five years ago, if
you want to know who you said to all of
us in the class, We want to know who you're
going to be five years from now. Look at your
closest friends, because they're going to pick you up or
(11:19):
they're going to drop you down. They're going to take
you with them where they're going. That's where you're headed.
And it's interesting. I talk to a lot of musicians.
I'm passionate about music. I can't make music, but somebody
has to consume it, right, And I'm really passionate about
how the art is made and what it means to
people and these sorts of things. And you talk about collaboration.
(11:40):
Every time you and I talk and I ask you
a question about Ted Nugent and what Ted Nugent has done,
you always go to a Chuck Berry comes up a lot.
You always go to the influences and the collaboration. And
I think that's a takeaway whatever you're in. If you're
a financial advisor, a plant worker, people you surround yourself
(12:01):
with and bounce off of are gonna make you better
or worse. And I hear that from you every time
I talk to you, how playing with other people and
their influences and those collaborations is a thrill for you
and has made you who you are. And I think
that's important.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
I don't think there's anything more important. My dad used
to say as I was growing up, tell me who
you hang with, and I'll tell you who you are. Now.
I dismiss that in my stupidity of youth, but it
turned out to be true. And I have an inner circle,
quite an expansive inner circle, Michael, which, by the way,
you're a member of a good people of the spirit,
(12:40):
good will and decency, work, ethic, God, family, country. Still
conduct our lives based on the Constitution, the build rights
and decoration of independence and commandments, the Golden Rule, law
and order, good over evil, self defense, freedom of speech, etc. Etc.
And those are the people that I have accumulated in
my family, my friends, my band, my crew, my management,
(13:04):
my hunting buddies. I have a hunting operation called Sunrise Safaris,
and Michael, I share campfires with hundreds and hundreds of
families every year. And that's why I salute you, because
when you talk, you talk just like those families around
the campfire that put their heart and soul into being
(13:25):
the best that you can be. And when you put
your heart and soul into being the best that you
can be as a musician, great music happens. So I've
always surrounded myself with the best rhythm section, the best singers,
the best creators, and you hear that in the music.
The performance that these guys put into my compositions is
(13:46):
every artist's dream because there's a passion. And by the way,
we keep mentioning Chuck Berry. Everybody in all of my
bands and all of my crew, everybody references Chuck Berry.
So that cadence, that spirit, that energy, that uppiness, that defiance,
there's a lot of defiance in that music, and that's
(14:07):
what inspires us. And even though we're old men now, Michael,
when we get in the barn and start jamming, it's
like a bunch of kids. It's like a bunch of
kids that want to play Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley
and play motown hits. In fact, we do. That's how
all of our rehearsals start with those classic songs. And
once you start hitting those rhythms and those movements, all
(14:28):
of a sudden, it can become your own when you
create your own chord patterns, your own melodies, your own lyrics,
and your own arrangements. And that's attributed to these unbelievable
musicians that are at my side. Again. John kutz On
drums out of Waco, Texas, Jason Hartless on drums out
of Nashville, Johnny Big out of Waco here on bass
(14:51):
and vocals. I hope you can come to Brenham on Saturday,
the thirty first of May. The music has never been
more tight. James Brown would hire us as his band.
We're so tight and so energetic. So these are the
good old days of my music. I'm telling you, you know.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
The Kinney Store is where he's going to be by
the Way, which is a great, great venue owned by
two cops, and they're fantastic people. They have a very
loyal audience there and get there early. The food is
actually amazing. Ted Nugent is our guest. You know, you
inspire me. You talk about your age and in the
number of years you've done this. Two of the people
(15:30):
I admire the most in the world for what they
do and their art and their craft Hank Williams Junior
and Dan Pastorini, both of whom turned seventy six on
Tuesday of this week. I got to tell you, I
bet when you were early in your career, nobody would
have said that Ted Nugent would be an inspiration for
longevity and happiness. But by golly, you have been. And
(15:52):
that's that's in and of itself incredible.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
I'm on a mission from God, Michael. Yeah. Now, it's
about It's about work ethic. It's about dedication to providing
for your family and being in the asset column, being
willing to make risks and sacrifices so that you're again
there's only two columns. There's the asset column and there's
a liability column. And my dad, disciplined slash, forced us
(16:22):
into being in the asset column. The productive members of
our family, our neighborhood, our community, our great nations, and
as a sportsman, as a hunter and a trapper and
a fisherman, an asset to the good earth that provides
us quality of life. So can you hold mysterious man?
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Can you hold it?
Speaker 1 (16:38):
This moment?
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Ted is our guest Ted Nugent dot com more coming
on a new project called the nuge Vault. You can
find it. A nuge Vault dot Com is described as
your front row seat to submerge yourself in rock and
roll history like never before. This is occasioned by Ted
Nugent's celebration of the fiftieth five zero anniversary of his
(17:01):
iconic rock album. Al it's an anthem album. Sorry, I
lost my train of thought, stranglehold. He's got a speakeasy
rockout gig tour going on. He's going to be at
the Kenney Store this weekend on the thirty first. He's
got a blank kicker. I'm not allowed to say it,
but it rhymes with pitt kicker. Speakeasy rockouts in Michigan
(17:26):
and Texas this spring and summer. Uncle Ted played for
us at the RCC, and I will tell you a
couple of takeaways I have from that, folks. Number one
is people love uncle Ted. We sold out just like that.
We sold out fast. Number two is we have never
needed so much sound. It was an entire eighteen wheeler
(17:46):
of speakers that came in. It was insane, I mean insane.
Number three, this guy's been doing this for more years
than I've been alive. And he does not mail it in.
You pay good money and he gives you everything he's
got on stage and before and after, and as a
(18:07):
venue owner, that mattered more to me than anything else.
And I don't know if I've ever thanked you for that,
but that was a hell of a night. Brother.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Every night, Thank you for that, Michael, And you're right.
There is an energy level that the real music lovers
bring to me, and the inspiration from the audience is
actually dangerous. I mean, I sweat so much on stage.
We have ducks on the limit to come in because
they expect to flush a mallard from my puddle of
sweat on stage. Yes, there's a there's a James Brown
(18:38):
work ethic that we deliver every night. And I tell
my band before we go on, tonight is the most
important concert of our life. And we say that every night,
because every night is the most important concert of our life.
We want to deliver the beast, the grind, the groove,
the fun and the spirit, the piss and the vinegar,
(19:00):
the middle finger against all things evil, which I weave
into the wonderful, entertaining evening. But yeah, well, thank you
for that, because the people do rave about our shows.
Because I've I'm out of control. I mean, I get
on stage. I can't wait to get on stage and
play these songs. As a guitar player, I just happen
to have created some of the most exciting and fun
guitar leaks to ever play. So I'm still like a
(19:23):
crazy kid back in Detroit nineteen fifty nine. When I
get ready to perform every night, and I think the
people have noticed that. They celebrate that, and their reciprocity
from audience to stage is like a tsunami of energy.
So once again, how lucky can I be?
Speaker 4 (19:39):
All Right?
Speaker 2 (19:39):
I'm going to ask you a series of questions, but
I'm not going to let ted Nugent be ted nugent.
I just want you to give the shortest, most succinct
answer you can and without giving it much thought, just
whatever pops in your brain.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Okay, you got it.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
You're going to walk out right now and pick up
a bow and shoot it. It's the bow that's going
to allow you to be most accurate. What is.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
I'm shooting a new Matthew's Lift lightweight forty eight pound draw.
The mystical flight of the arrow has never been more
accurate with this technology. So that's the bow of my
choice these days?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Is there an arrow of choice? I don't know a
lot about archery. You know.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
I'm shooting some gold tip arrows. They've been making the
ten Neugent Zebra gold tip arrow for years. But I'm
also experimenting with a bunch of other arrows. That state
of archery and marksmanship, firearms and optics and AMMO is
at an all time high. So it's about what you're
most comfortable with, what feels good to you, And it
is important that that bow or that gun feels right,
(20:39):
and that's the one you should shoot, all right?
Speaker 2 (20:42):
Not your favorite. But if I ask you right now
to lay your hands and it might be on your hip,
might be in your pocket, it might be on the
table next to you, on the nearest handgun, what would
it be?
Speaker 1 (20:53):
It's the same block model twenty ten millimeters this on
my right hip, along with four magazines on my left hip.
Every day, everywhere, once Ted Nugent shows up, it is
no longer a gun free zone. I probably.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
All right? What about what knife you could lay your
hands on the fastest? Right now?
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I've got my old Victorianox pocket knife in my left pocket,
and I got a brand new steel Force a folding
knife on my right pocket, and I have a Leatherman
tool on my left hip. I'm out like a hardware store.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
What meat did you most enjoy that you ate at
home that you killed within the last week.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
A beautiful sow pig right here on the North Boski
River with my bone arrow and she was just about
seventy five eighty pounds and it was the most delicious
max strap with garlic and pepper and honey. I swear
to God, it's the meat of the gods.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Now, will you make chops and bacon and all that
out of her?
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Absolutely? Yeah, we use it all man, Good for you.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
What do they say that the ruder to the tutor,
that's the way to do it, especially with it.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Well, yeah, that's called the conservation, the wise use of
a natural resource. And I always say the cuter, the cruter,
the sweeter the meat.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Now is that a Is that a culinary reference?
Speaker 1 (22:20):
I think it is. That's why I like lamb chops
so much.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
I do too. I like the lamb lollipops. I don't
know why that is, but it's a yes.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
With the bone, you gotta have the ball, right, It's.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
Just like it's it's a built in handle, you know,
it's like a toothbrush you can eat. I absolutely, absolutely
love it. All right. Tell me a movie that you
have watched in the last month. It may not be
the all time greatest or you're what you want to
be defined by that you really enjoyed.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Man on Fire with Denzel Washington. I love. I'm a
big fan of Revenge.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Yes, me too, Vindication very good. Okay, tell me somebody
that you are good friends with a select from whatever
field that people would be surprised you're friends with because
y'all may not share the same political views.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Well, there's a gentleman who has a band called Rage
Against the Machine. His name is Tom Morello, and he
plays guitar and occasion with Bruce Springsteen and Bruce Springsteen
even though he had his foot in his mouth more
often than necessary. Bruce and Tom and I were all
raised on Chuck Berry and Mitch Ryder music, so I
will overlook the stupid politics and just jam on killer music.
(23:33):
How's that.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
I love it, and I can appreciate that the art
at that moment takes precedence. You know, it's really too
bad because Springsteen has written some really good stuff, and
I love his hard scrabble story and I love his
truth in his his how he stayed true to New
Jersey in the gritty, you know, New Jersey streets. But
my goodness, his mind is warped. It's absolutely warped. When's
(23:57):
the last time you spoke to President Trump. I know
he adores you.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Just a couple of months ago.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
I'm congratulating him, and I'm bringing a lot of important
issues to the forefront. Some people who have been illegally
law fared, like a fellon farmer in Michigan who's never
been a wrestler or given a speeding ticket, but he's
now a fellon because he had a bad muffler on
a tractor according to the Jack.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Boots Thugs of the Epea. So we're seeking a pardon
for this good man. Those are the kinds of issues
that I fight for every day. And the great Donald Trump,
who's a real commander in chief, he is addressing those.
We got a sheriff pardoned in West Virginia who was
law fared, and there's been so.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Much of that. We have a target rich environment out there.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Yeah, I think Ed Martin's going to do a great
job at that. Uncle Ted, I'm up against a break.
We always appreciate your time, Ted Nugent dot com. You
can go to the nuge Vault nuge Vault dot com.
We love you, brother, I.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Love you back. Michael, godspeed.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
But if you like the Michael Berry Show in podcast
please tell one friend, and if you're so inclined, write
a nice review of our podcast. Comments, suggestions, questions, and
interest in being a corporate sponsor and partner can be
communicated directly to the show at our email address, Michael
(25:15):
at Michael Berryshow dot com, or simply by clicking on
our website Michael Berryshow dot com. The Michael Berry Show
and Podcast is produced by Ramon Roeblis, the King of Ding.
Executive producer is Chad Knakanishi. Jim Mudd is the creative director.
(25:40):
Voices Jingles, Tomfoolery and Shenanigans are provided by Chance McLean.
Director of Research is Sandy Peterson. Emily Bull is our
assistant listener and superfan. Contributions are appreciated and often incorporated
into our production. Where possible, we give credit, where not,
(26:03):
we take all the credit for ourselves. God bless the
memory of Rush Limbaugh. Long live Elvis, be a simple
man like Leonard Skinnard told you, and God bless America. Finally,
if you know a veteran suffering from PTSD, call Camp
Hope at eight seven seven seven one seven PTSD and
(26:28):
a combat veteran will answer the phone to provide free counseling,
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