Mike & Nuge

My name is Mike Maloney and I had the incredible experience of being a guest drummer with Ted Nugent on his 2003 "Shock and Awe" tour . First of all, Ted is the real deal. I spent a considerable amount of time with Ted showing him around Fort Bliss, Texas visiting the soldiers. Some soldiers had just returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom and he wanted to say thanks for serving and fighting for freedom. He was genuine and down to earth with all of the soldiers and their families and gave them his undivided, heart felt attention and appreciation. That night we all went out to dinner (my wife and I, a couple of soldiers and Ted and his band) and had a great time. Everyone in the restaurant recognized him and kept coming up to the table to meet him and get his autograph. With every person, he stopped what he was doing, looked them in the eye and engaged them in conversation.

I was back stage with Ted, Tommy and Barry for two shows and can say that I never saw any drugs or alcohol. He really lives to be all he can be and maintains his quality of life to the utmost. Ted is totally dedicated to excellence in his performance. He and his band give 100% to each show. Backstage he was warming up and stretching out. His fingers were flying up and down the neck of his guitar working out just before he ran on stage to an electrified crowd. True to form, Ted gave the best concert I've seen.

I played the drums during his show in El Paso, Texas ( 13 June, 2003). My drum set was on a riser on wheels already miked up. Right before Cat Scratch Fever Ted introduced me while the stage crew rolled the drums out. It was one of the most incredible highs I ever felt. I have played the drums for 33 years in different Rock-n-Roll bands at various levels but this was the ultimate. As Ted says, I was on the mountain top. After Cat Scratch was over we shook hands, saluted and I went off stage. An incredible memory for a not so young, or old, Rocker. I remember seeing Ted in concert several times in the late "70s with my garage band and only dreamed that one day I would have the honor of jamming with him live.

But the most important point is that Ted Nugent is the real deal. He believes in fierce, independent freedom and fights for it in every possible way all the time. He is pure energy and focuses that energy on the good fight. I attached a couple of pictures of the concert.