Ted Nugent says ‘no,’ and not just to me
When I posed the my question about whether or not I should invite Ted Nugent turkey hunting, I already had my answer. Anybody who read the blog and the discussion knew that.
The invite was going out.
Our music writer, Tad Dickens, offered to handle it for me because he had the necessary contacts. He got around to sending the request yesterday.
Here was the response from Nugent:
“Thank you very much [name deleted] for the kind words & invites. Now you’re in trouble, as I have put you in my hopeful hunts file! When I tour it is impossible to get in any hunting due to the insane media & assorted scheduling, however, one never knows when ops may arise & let us try in the future, thanx again, Godspeed, BloodBrothers, Ted”
Except this response wasn’t to me. It was to someone else (I deleted the name; I know the guy) from the Roanoke area who had invited Nugent hunting. Nugent’s assistant just forwarded it to Tad (no need to bother Nugent with another request, because the answer was going to be the same), along with an addendum that said, essentially, “we’ll keep your guy in mind, too.”
Another invitation? Huh. Well, thanks to the wonders of forwarded emails, here it is :
“Reading the Roanoke Times today, I see where our outdoor writer, Mark Taylor, was taking opinions on whether he should take you turkey hunting when you come to Virginia in April. I don’t need to ask anyone else’s opinion – I like the way you think. I’d be honored to take you turkey hunting! I live about 30 minutes from Roanoke and have an excellent place to turkey hunt. You’ll have a great time and be treated like family.”
Hmmm…
A cynic might say, “This guy was trying to short stand you!”
In fact, a couple my friends have said as much, in slightly more colorful terms.
But I try to think better of my fellow man.
I think this guy didn’t read the blog. I think he just saw the teaser in the paper and really thought I was taking a poll. He wanted to make sure that if I wasn’t going to invite Nugent, someone would. And it might as well be him. Of course, he could have simply added, “If Taylor doesn’t invite you, I’d be honored….”
So a slight lack of good manners. Oh well. I am going to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. The high road is the best road, right? Or am I being too nice?
Anyway, thanks to everyone for your interesting feedback on the whole Nugent poll. That was fun!
February 15, 2013 - 5:30 PM
You’re being far too nice. The guy shafted you, and your chance to hunt with Ted, with his eagerness to show Ted he was a disciple of anything Ted would promote. In his eagerness to say – ‘I’m with YOU Ted, all the way, wherever that leads, whatever that means!!!’ – this guy eliminated any chance you had for the hunt. It was something of a long shot, anyway, but the guy made you look as though you needed the approval of the majority of your readership before you’d care to hunt with Nugent. That guy definitely did more than just read your headline. He read the article, but was too eager to shove you out of the way to show Ted he was a TRUE believer in whatever he thinks Ted favors, whether accurate or not.
The sad part is that this guy is too unknowing/ignorant to understand that Ted Nugent probably gets a hundred willing worshippers a day emailing him requests to come here or there to their ‘special hunting spot’, all thinking they’re the first one.
As passionate as Ted is about his hot button topics, you know he’s got to be shaking his head at the zealousness of far too many of his ‘fans’.
Sorry you got jobbed on this one, Mark. Regardless of the success of the hunt, the time spent in a relaxed setting with Nugent would have been very interesting.
Tell us what you really think, Crooked Road!
I suspect Nugent is pretty firm on his policy about hunting while on tour. It makes sense actually. So I don’t think this other invitation had any negative impact on my chances.
I will say that if the response had been, “Sorry Mr. Taylor, Ted already accepted another invitation” I would be a little less ambivalent!
I’ll defer to your judgement. I know how… ‘irritated’ I would have been were I in your situation. Heck, I know how aggravated I was for you! Ah, well. I’d suggest trying to pry 60 minutes (and ‘settle’ for 30) of interview time with Ted anyway. Who knows, maybe none of your ‘fans’ have press credentials to try the same thing, LOL… I’m sure the press line is always long for him, but who knows, you might get lucky. Thanks for your contributions on all matters outdoors…
Good idea from crooked road. Try to work an interview in with the Nuge’. Maybe you can entice him with some turkey backstraps.
let the ass go hunting with dick cheney…maybe they will shoot each other….
Well that sucks!
Wow. So much for civil discourse.
Obviously, Ted Nugent is too chicken to go out in the woods with me.
After viewing his/their touring schedule that week, 3-4 shows in a row then off to Florida after Roanoke. Would not take it personally Mark, touring is a grind, subject to date changes.Likely some other contractual obligations along the way too.
At least you have your foot in the door, maybe for another day and another hunt.
Mark
I remember one commenter here saying we had a better chance of being hit by an asteroid before the Sunday Hunting Ban is lifted.
We owe than person a Cigar.
Nah, Mark, I’d call the guy out, by name, on your blog so his other buddies will know what a class act he is. After all, if you saw a copperhead on the trail, you’d warn your hiking partners wouldn’t you?
Could be, Dan. You scare me.
Mark, someone (or some spirit) is looking out for you. You must be living right and putting extra in that collection plate. Consider yourself lucky young man.
Still made for a good story! Short-standed for sure, if you believe it’s the thought that counts.
Perch, I sometimes joke that public humiliation is a great motivator.
I sent the guy an email, giving him the opportunity to respond with clarification and/or an apology. I have not heard back from him. I suspect he is embarrassed, which gives a little more insight into his motivation. This wasn’t simply a manners thing, as I had hoped.
But the reality is, there is nothing to gain by publicly calling this guy out. He is not a friend, but he is someone I have had dealings with in the past (and he has been cordial), and will have dealings with down the line. Those will likely be uncomfortable for him, but not for me.
That is a magnificent turkey.
You stay classy, Ken Wilburn!
As usual, Mark, I wasn’t being totally serious, and I completely understand your handling of the situation. Actually, I would have been surprised if you had done so. You are too class an act to go that route, and if the guy wasn’t already embarrassed, no good could have come by it anyway.
Interesting blogs lately. Keep it up!