Noell Dickmann

Gannett Wisconsin Media

Ted Nugent, who performs Saturday at the Leach Amphitheater in Oshkosh, has a few words for critics calling for Waterfest organizers to cancel his show.

"I take it as a badge of honor that such unclean vermin are upset by me and my positive energy," Nugent said in a recent interview with Gannett Wisconsin Media. "Put your heart and soul into everything you do and nobody can stop you. Sometimes you give the world the best you got and you get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you got anyway."

The outspoken rocker took some time to respond to a few questions via email while on the SHUTUP & JAM! tour. He said he's always had critics.

"By all indicators, I don't think they actually qualify as people, but there has always been a lunatic fringe of hateful, rotten, dishonest people that hate happy, successful people," Nugent said.

His performance at Waterfest sparked a bit of controversy last month when an Oshkosh resident wrote a letter to the editor and a group of people against his appearance in Oshkosh started a petition on MoveOn.org to have the show canceled. The petition has since been taken down. Reps from MoveOn.org said it was taken down by the creator, Mark Bye, who did not respond to inquiries regarding it.

• Related story:Nugent Waterfest booking creates controversy

Waterfest President Mike Dempsey said they have not received any complaints since then, and have sold more V.I.P. tickets for Nugent's performance than any of the three premium shows this summer.

Elsewhere, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe in Worley, Idaho canceled Nugent's Aug. 4 concert at its casino, the town of Longview, Texas paid Nugent about $16,000 earlier this year to have him not perform at its Fourth of July Festival, and a protest on Tuesday is planned in Montclair, New Jersey to picket his performance at the Wellmont Theater that night.

His comments may be off-putting to some, but Nugent said he is simply doing his job as an American when he speaks freely on controversial and political topics.

"I have been blessed to be welcomed into the lives of U.S. military heroes forever and have come to know the serious price paid for freedom and the American dream. I have vowed to these warriors that I will put to use to the best of my ability those freedoms and rights that they have sacrificed to provide we the people in this sacred experiment in self-government," he said. "I believe raising hell and demanding accountability from our elected employees is Job One for every American. I am simply doing my job."

Nugent's performance in Oshkosh is part of a national tour to promote his first album in seven years, "SHUTUP & JAM!," which was released July 8. The 65-year-old rocker will perform his 6,500th live show during this summer's tour.

He shared a taste of what audiences can look forward to at his concert, and said every song, every concert and every night is a riot.

"As always, they can expect sheer outrage and a ferocious animal dance music soul music soundtrack of freedom, attitude, liberty, spirit and all-American defiance of all things status quo. Oh, yeah, and some killer love songs too," he said. "I've got the best band on planet Earth, and they put more energy and piss and vinegar into my music than any guitar player could ever dream of."

Throughout his career Nugent has sold more than 40 million albums, but recording "SHUTUP & JAM!" has been the highlight of his life, he said.

"It's impossible describe this earth-shattering, soul-cleansing, spirit-erecting 'SHUTUP & JAM!' musical adventure! My musical dream has been a ferocious force to reckon with for more than 50 glorious years so far, but this recording session with these songs and these astonishing musicians is without question the highlight of my life," Nugent said.

WATERFEST WEEKEND

• Gates open at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 5 p.m. Saturday

• 2 for 1 admission before 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday

Thursday, July 24

• Sister Hazel | Road Trip | WifEE & ThE HuZZ Band

• General admission: $12 before 7 p.m. | $15 after 7 p.m.

Friday, July 25

• Gin Blossoms | Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts | The Guilty Wanted

• General admission: $12 before 7 p.m. | $15 after 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 26

• Ted Nugent | The Kings | The Traveling Suitcase

• General admission: $20 | Reserved Special Patio Access Available in Advance: $40

— Noell Dickmann writes for Northwestern Media, Oshkosh. She can be reached at 920-426-6658 or ndickmann@thenorthwestern.com.