Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

Wow! This is a fun interview. As a matter of fact, we had so much fun that we're going to do it again because we barely broke the surface of the band's rise to fame.
Bones tells great stories of gigging around the metro Detroit area. How did Jimmie get started, and what influenced his love of music? "Well, way, way, way, way back, man, long before you were born, I saw this band on the Ed Sullivan show debut, and they were called the Beatles. And I kind of, I think I was maybe five years old. And I can't say it blew my wig back, because my mom used to shave my head back then, like this really 60s brush cut. But it kind of, yeah, did that to me, you know. And then later on, I saw the Rolling Stones on there and a lot of the other British invasion bands. So that had an impact on me."
That was just the beginning. From there, Bones told me about his path through the Detroit ranks to meeting Kid Rock. The White Room Studios is where their paths crossed, and they've been bandmates ever since. That's the extremely short version; listen for the full version of events.
As I said, there's too much to post here. This is a fun listen down the musical Detroit rabbit hole.

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As Night Ranger gets set to play the Motor City Casino Soundboard, drummer/singer Kelly Keagy was cool enough to take some time to talk about the band's history and what they have going on now.
I had to comment on his resemblance to our very own Chad Smith, who looks a lot like Will Ferrell. "See, all those guys, they're younger, so they look like me." Too Funny!
He told me about playing the famous Harpos Concert Theater years ago when they were first starting. An experience for any young band.
They're dropping a new greatest hits album, which we also discussed. As the press release reads: The tour also arrives as NIGHT RANGER prepares to release their upcoming ‘Best Of’ album on August 28th via Frontiers Music Srl. The collection features newly remixed and remastered versions of classic hits spanning the band’s legendary career, alongside standout tracks from their acclaimed output over the last 20 years, celebrating both their legacy and continued evolution as one of rock’s most enduring acts.
He tells great stories of meeting Ozzy, Brad Gillis joining the Prince of Darkness on tour, their very first video, and tons more.
What a fun interview! See you at the show!

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Frank Hannon of Tesla is up first. The band is about to hop out on tour with Extreme and Motley. As a matter of fact, they're sandwiched right between both bands. A little bit of heavy lifting to be sure. He told me they've never really had the chance to meet or tour with the Extreme guys.
We discussed the debut album, which turns 40 this December. They recorded it in upstate New York. He also told me why the band covered the song "Little Suzi", which some people probably don't know that it's a cover song.
We also talked about his horses and the upcoming covers record called Homage. Yes, they are covering a Bob Seger song.
That's just for starters with Frank....
Jesse James Dupree is up next. The Jackyl frontman talks about the upcoming festivities at Sturgis for the motorcycle rally. Lots of bands playing and lots of riding to be had. Sammy Hagar, Rob Zombie, and, of course, Jackyl playing the Full Throttle Saloon. Oh, there is a Detroit favorite playing that Friday as well!
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Ted Nugent is never at a loss for words, and this episode of Talkin' Rock is no different. He's playing some shows in July, and you don't want to miss the 77-year-old flame-thrower. You can see him in Lexington, Michigan, on July 7th & 8th, then in Sterling Heights at Freedom Hills on the 10th, and in Paw Paw on the 11th.
"How lucky am I?" Ted says to the fact that he's rocked people for seven decades. He brought up the Paw Paw, Michigan show last year. I was there, and the show was something special. "I am so excited...I get so outta control," he says while speaking to the fact that he's back in his home state of Michigan. "Has God blessed me with the greatest musicians in the world?" Yes, he's played with some of the best!
"I'd like to think that my guitar tone has no identity, because I'm constantly playing with the amps," he said of his guitar. "It's fat, it's rich," he went on.
Ted will turn 78 this year, and he's still full-tilt-boogie. "I'm having more fun, and more musical adventure....if the 15-year-old showed up, I'd kick his ass!"
"It's a jazz guitar, but I fixed it," Ted said of his famous Birdland guitar. He said that each Birdland has its own personality because of the way the spruce breathes. Ted expanded on that during our conversation.
He's going to be inducted into the Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame. That's on Hall he should've been in a long time ago. Yes, he should be in the other one too, but I guess we'll start here. He's also getting Conservationist of the Year in Springfield, Missouri, in August.
We also talked about great places to visit in Michigan. Ted had a lot of say on that. He's like a one-man chamber of commerce. The U.P., Grayling to see the Fred Bear statue, Mackinaw Island (a place he said he's never been to), downtown Detroit to see Hitsville U.S.A., and other places. "Michigan is my beloved birth state," he said. He went on to talk about the quality of people in the Mitten.
His dream from youth: "Spend as much time in the woods and the swamps and the rivers of Michigan and to rock my balls off. It's 78 years later, and that's exactly what I'm doing!" Nicely said.
Go see Ted and watch how it's done!

Up next it's the guy opening up most of these shows, Kurt Diemer. His new album A Grog Is Born dropped a month ago, featuring Josh Todd from Buckcherry and Geoff Tate, formerly of Queensryche. Yes, they covered the iconic "Silent Lucidity". That's a tall task.
Kurt's also in the horror world. His latest movie, Scared To Death, is streaming now on Amazon. It's more of a horror comedy. He's dropping another one coming up in the fall called Hellbilly Hollow, which I really enjoyed.
Kurt's got a lot going on and is a super good dude. Check him out after Ted on this episode, then before Ted at some upcoming shows.

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Rocker Tim Montana has a new record dropping on July 31st. Jam-packed with special guests including Jerry Cantrell, Billy F. Gibbons, Slash. Charlie and Martin Sheen, Royal Lynn, and Robert Patrick. Yes, all those special guests!
The song Break Me Down mentions "Ghosts in the basement", so I had to ask him if he'd ever had a paranormal experience. As with most people, he does. He also told me about a UFO sighting he had. I didn't expect that.
We discussed the new album, Entire State Of Tim Montana. That's a name Charlie Sheen gave him. He tells great stories of hanging and playing with rock stars. Really cool!
Oh, by the way, YES, he did have a meal at Eminem's Mom's Spaghetti downtown when he came here with Alter Bridge.
Enjoy the conversation and thanks for listening!
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