Guitar International's Robert Cavuoto recently spoke with rock legend TED NUGENT about The Midwest Rock ‘N Roll Express tour with STYX and REO SPEEDWAGON, making records, the music industry and being snubbed by the mainstream music organizations. An excerpt follows:

Q: In 2011 you teased your fans with two new studio songs - 'I Still Believe' and 'I Love a BBQ'. Any update on giving the fans a new CD?

A: "God knows, me and the band are dying to record a bunch of very exciting songs and musical adventures. Logistics, timing, and scheduling availabilities is a Herculean task. With any luck we should hit the studio in early 2014 for a summer release of a killer CD."

Q: What could fans expect musically, will it be in a similar vein as Love Grenade, which I thought was an aggressive rock CD?

A: "Whenever I pick up a guitar, a firestorm of grinding, fun, intense grooves and patterns erupt every time. With Mick, Greg, and Derek songs simply happen. I have unlimited topical material and ideas and unlimited high energy guitar licks to create more of the R&B;, blues and high energy rockers that I have always craved, loved and celebrated. It will reek of the Ted Nugent identity I assure you."

Read the full interview here.

At every stop along The Midwest Rock ‘N Roll Express tour with Styx, REO Speedwagon and Nugent, Styx’s Rock To The Rescue charity organization will be giving away a guitar signed by all three acts as part of a silent raffle. 75% of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity in Boston to help victims of the recent explosions. The remaining 25% will be given to local charities in the respective tour market.

"Like all Americans, we have watched the events in Boston and wondered what we could we do to help. We know the fans of all three bands will once again rise with us to help our friends in Boston. We Are Boston!” - Styx

"We feel such sadness for those innocent people in Boston who have suffered so much and are still suffering now. We think of those victims of senseless violence as we sign the guitar which is to be donated on their behalf each night. In our small way, we do what we do." - REO Speedwagon

“The Nugent band and family are surrounded by Americans who care deeply about each other and are dedicated to give all we got in times of need. We again face a tragedy that we can all help with, and are proud of this charitable heart and soul effort.” – Ted Nugent

Spearheaded by Tommy Shaw’s daughter, Hannah Shaw, Rock to the Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to build strong, healthy communities through the support of grassroots organizations across the country. As of last year, at every Styx tour date Rock To The Rescue partners with a local group to give back through community outreach, fundraising, and volunteer support.

Rock To The Rescue originally started in 2001 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is the brainchild of Styx singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon singer/keyboardist/guitarist Kevin Cronin. The two musicians brought together bands and artists such as BAD COMPANY, JOURNEY, SURVIVOR, KANSAS, LYNYRD SKYNYRD and many others to be part of Volunteers For America concert events in Dallas and Atlanta that ultimately raised over $775,000 for victims of 9/11, as well as the Port Authority police department in New York City.

Tour dates (closer listed after venue):

May

1 - Estero, FL - Germain Arena - REO Speedwagon
3 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Amphitheatre - Styx
4 - TBA
5 - Atlanta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Styx
7 - TBA
8 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center - REO Speedwagon
10 - Kansas City, KS - Starlight Theatre - Styx
11 - Lincoln, NE - Pinewood Bowl Theater - REO Speedwagon
14 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena - Ted/REO/Styx
15 - Evansville, IN - Ford Center - REO Speedwagon
17 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center - REO Speedwagon
18 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - REO Speedwagon
19 - Burgettstown, PA - First Niagara Pavilion - Styx