Elvis has left, but inspiration still in building
Sunday, January 27, 2008
My jaw was in the basement. Like every American with a TV set, I sat spellbound as this white dude gyrated on the Ed Sullivan stage, a firestorm of twanging electric guitars and ballistic rim shots from a thunder of drums.
His voice, so soulful, was able to translate the emotion of black music to the masses for the first time in musical history.
RECENT COLUMNS BY THE TEXAS WILDMAN
- 11-16-08 Ted Nugent: Obama's victory is sad vote for state of dependency
- 11-09-08 Ted Nugent: The few, the proud
- 11-02-08 Ted Nugent: America needs real change, not Obama's fantasy drivel
- 10-26-08 Ted Nugent: Grateful celebrity celebrates going silver-haired
- 10-19-08 Ted Nugent: Let's emulate my tap-dancing grandma
Elvis on TV ignited a brand new army of musicians that Sunday night in 1953. 1953!
Had Lewis and Clark even made it through the Northwest Passage by then? Seems a long, long time ago, doesn't it? It was.
History was being made before our very eyes and ears.
I've heard the same exaltation from the likes of Billy Joel, Steven Tyler, Billy Gibbons and nearly every musician who made the big time since then — how the authenticity and sincerity of Elvis, James Brown, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones inspired a tsunami of musical dreams to erupt with a passion and energy not duplicated since.
But inspiration does indeed continue to run strong — even in this age of digital technology, downloading and the negative mindlessness of hip hop and rap noise.
Great young talents
Now celebrating my 51st year of performing on yet another glorious, whirlwind tour, we have had the distinct pleasure of witnessing immense talent.
A fine young singer songwriter from good old Detroit, Alex Winston lights 'em up every night with an amazing, soulful vocal gift and touch, accelerated by a band of super musicians.
People are smiling and dancing up a storm to this dedicated young lady's music, and it warms the heart to see such pure passion and spirit in a new musician's performances, even though they endure incredible hardships and sacrifices to drive long, exhaustive miles between our concert dates.
Then there is the best new kid band in the world — a rag-tag band of youngsters from Tulsa, Okla., called Crooked X.
It's five guys, ages 13 through 15. Amazing, really. These underage whippersnappers play their guitars, bass and drums far beyond their years.
Performing old-school, Led Zeppelin-style rock, they put their hearts and souls into every performance. It is thrilling to watch their parents on the side of the stage every night, smiling, boogying and cheering on their kids. Reminds me of Ma Nuge, way back when. Nice kids, dedicated and hard-working. Sounds like the American Dream to me.
It takes an incredible work ethic to practice so diligently in order to make the kind of tight, disciplined music these new performers create. And the musical rewards are immeasurable.
Waco has no shortage of music stores that sell more than digital recording equipment to rip off other artists' efforts.
Drums, guitars, basses, keyboards, saxophones, trumpets — they are here to satisfy the exciting musical dreams of everyone. And we have talented, dedicated music teachers to get a dream jammer started right.
There's no Ed Sullivan on TV anymore, but the thrill of music is bubbling powerfully in someone's belly out there.
Look for it. Help discover this joyous lifestyle for you kids. Steer them to one of God's finest pursuits.
Music will cleanse the soul.
Ted Nugent is a Waco-based musician and television-show host. Communicate with Ted directly at tednugent.com.
