Humor, Pride and Poli-Music With Uncle Ted

Humor, Pride and Poli-Music With Uncle Ted came to South Florida and delivered a performance that the room won't forget quickly.

Humor, Pride and Poli-Music With Uncle Ted By: Daedrian McNaughton & Gary Sandelier Patriotic to the core, American musician Ted Nugent is never without controversy, political angst, and passion for the things he holds on tight to. The Motor City Madman, as he is often referred to, is passionate about his guitar, family, rock and roll, hunting, freedom, and most importantly the Second Amendment — "the right to bear arms." In 2010, on his Trample the Weak, Huddle the Dead Tour , Gary and I were invited to cover Ted Nugent at Revolution Live in Florida. Before then, I knew nothing of the musician, and was impressed with what seemed to be a genuine love and devotion for his art. He gave 100 percent of himself, and said freely whatever he wanted to say. In the spirit of the July 4th holiday, Uncle Ted started the concert with a rocking rendition of "Stranglehold" (his take on the Star-Spangled Banner), brilliantly played on his red, white, and blue guitar. He delved deeper into his material, feeding directly from the energy of the crowd, who soaked up every bit of his screeching and screaming guitar solos, and anthems like "Cat Scratch Fever" and others. Unlike most Americans, Ted is a political warhead and will voice his opinions freely and unsolicited. He continued his political tirade, venting his disdain for the Democratic Party and the Obama administration. Although I was impressed with his skills as a guitar player and musician, I was turned off and disappointed with the offensive language and rhetoric directed at the President of the United States of America. It was downright disrespectful. Undoubtedly, he knows how to energize and entertain his fans. Comments like these have landed Nuge in hot water with members of the Democratic Party calling for investigative action against him. Ted's over-the-top radical behavior and extreme personality have become main stage and have been embraced by those who follow him. And for him, this is the only way to live. Even though the backdrop of his set was a raging cartoon figure tooting two machine guns, and a machine gun mounted next to his drum kit, on stage his real gun was his red, white, and blue striped guitar — his musical pistol, which he unloaded like a semi-automatic with unfiltered emotions. There is no denying that he rocks an explosive guitar session. Whether this is a marketing ploy or art, this '70s rocker has managed to keep himself in the spotlight with his constant political rants and heated discussions over his right to bear arms. Apparently his fans crave the outspokenness of his fusion of music and politics — poli-music with a bit of storytelling about his hunting adventures. The unapologetic, gun-swirling rocker had no reservations with his running commentaries on politics and America in between songs. At the end of each commentary, he would challenge the audience by asking, "Any questions?" The Motor City Madman and guitar god brought his intense and ferocious musical performance and performed well over two hours with a screaming encore. He returned on stage donned in a decorated Indian chief's headdress, and ended the concert with "Great White Buffalo." Although he hates the policies and control of the Obama administration, he admits America is far more prominent, and a better place to live than anywhere in the world. "The whole world sucks, but America sucks less. God Bless America." Photo credit: YouTellConcerts For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .