Ted Nugent responds to cancellation of Alabama show: ‘liars & haters drunk on stupid’
Ted Nugent had one thing to say about the cancellation of his July 18 show in Alabama: “liars & haters drunk on stupid incapable to debate me-.”
This, at least, was the response Nugent posted Friday morning on Facebook and Twitter, one day after his concert was canceled at Avondale Brewing Co. in Birmingham. Tickets were set to go on sale Friday, but the venue decided to nix the appearance by Nugent, a hard rock veteran and political provocateur, after a strong backlash emerged on social media.
READ MORE: Ted Nugent concert in Alabama canceled amid social media backlash
Detractors cited their opposition to Nugent’s far right-wing political views — which the rocker himself has proudly called “radical” — and said they wouldn’t support Avondale Brewing Co. in the future if Nugent performed there. They slammed the rocker as homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, an intolerant hate-monger and more.
About 1,000 comments were posted on Avondale Brewing’s Facebook page after the show was announced on Monday by promoter Red Mountain Entertainment, and most of them were bluntly negative. More than 150 comments on the venue’s Instagram page followed suit. A Reddit post denouncing the show inspired more than 200 comments, as well.
Avondale Brewing cited the backlash as the reason for the cancellation in a Thursday post on Instagram Stories.
“We have heard the concerns of the Avondale community, which is so important to us, and in conjunction with our partners, have taken the necessary steps to to cancel the Ted Nugent concert scheduled for July 18,” the venue said.
Nugent’s concert is no longer listed on Avondale Brewing’s website and its Ticketmaster listing was gone on Thursday by 5 p.m. Also, posts on the venue’s social media accounts — and the reactions from commenters — have been deleted.
On Friday morning, Nugent shared AL.com’s story about the cancellation on two of his social media accounts, with the “liars and haters drunk on stupid” comment above it. He has yet to elaborate on that statement.
Nugent’s supporters have responded with a social media wave of their own, posting about 400 comments on the rocker’s Facebook page and more than 500 comments on Twitter as of Friday afternoon.
“Pisses me off,” Glenn Rainwater said on Facebook. “I was looking forward to seeing you live. This state has gone to hell.”
“They went woke ….. and now Avondale will be broke,” said Lawrence Milligan.
“There are other venues in Alabama,” said Dennis Welch. “Keep trying.”
“So a few liberal trolls post some social media whining and make threats and Avondale CAVES … In ALABAMA?! What a joke,” said Michael Nelson. “ROCK ON UNCLE TED!!!!”
“What happened to ‘if you don’t agree, then just don’t buy a ticket?,” said Kimberly Bishop Wolf. “Cancelling someone is infuriating! This is disgusting behavior.”
“Book somewhere in Alabama that’s not overrun by democrats and liberals,” said James Stanley Holdridge.
“It was a poor choice of venue,” said Wes Nugent. “If you wanted to hand-pick a liberal stronghold in Alabama, it would be Avondale Brewing. You should target more conservative-friendly events like Rock the south in Cullman, Alabama. I saw Ted when he came to Birmingham several years ago at the BJCC and it was an almost sold-out show. This is a failure of whoever booked the venue.”
“It’s Birmingham ran by demons,” said Eric Lee Manley. “He is welcome in alabama just not where the woke demons live.”
“Avondale brewing company needs to hear from us! Let’s show them our middle finger,” said Tom Walker.
“They allowed cancel culture to win @TedNugent! I would never go to that venue again, even if they decided to let the show go on!!” Amy Tilton said on Twitter.
“Keep on rocking! We love you just the way you are!,” @LeisaSNewman said on Twitter. “You’ve always been radical as far back as I can remember, why change for weaklings that need safe spaces?”
“You can believe I sent an email to the Brewery and informed them I would not be spending my $ in their venue since they caved to the supposedly woke (really unwoke and moronic) agenda,” Anne McComas said on Facebook. “Rock on Ted!! As you already know, you have a lot of support in Alabama. Keep up the good work!!”
“@TedNugent get your %€? to Birmingham. The city will make sure it is a sell out no matter where you play. Let’s fill up Protective Stadium!” said Jeffrey Allen.
“Uncle Ted please don’t hold it against all of Bama,” George Mcsweany said. “Birmingham is the Chicago of Alabama! Liberal run waste land. Murders everyday. Hell make a hit at the Oxford Civic Center. I bet it sells out fast! Small place but would be a great time!”
“I’m from Birmingham suburbs, 30 min away and we are with you and pissed tf off about your concert getting canceled by a bunch of Liberal pansies! We love you … the majority of Alabamians!” said Eric Douglas. “Fyi … Everyone is boycotting that place now Go woke go broke”
Nugent’s fans also have been posting negative reviews on Avondale Brewing Co.’s Facebook page.
“I have enjoyed Avondale Brewing Co many times, but canceling Ted Nugent proves them to be intolerant and hateful,” said Lynn Mann Browning Alexander. “Caving in to to left wing zealots ruins yet another business. I won’t be back.”
“I’m so disappointed with you, Avondale,” said Fonda Peters. “Have you forgotten your customer base? You caved to a few people, who don’t represent us all. We’re cold beer drinking Southerners with Cat Scratch Fever, yet you cancel Ted Nugent, because a few people got butt-hurt? SHAME. ON. YOU. AVONDALE. SHAME. ON. YOU. No more concerts for me, at your venue. And no more Peach Saison. Cancel culture is Woke culture. Go Woke, Go Broke. You’ve lost my business.”
The Birmingham concert was part of a summer concert trek called “Adios MOFO ‘23: The Final Tour,” which Nugent has described as his farewell to touring. In a video announcing his 2023 tour, Nugent proclaimed himself a “political firestorm” and added that “my music is radical; my attitude is radical, my middle finger is radical; my guitar tone is radical.”
Nugent, a longtime outdoorsman, is an outspoken advocate for hunting and gun ownership rights. He’s also known as a staunch conservative and supporter of former President Donald Trump — one of the few music celebrities to openly support Trump during his campaign and afterward.
Nugent has expressed strong views about issues ranging from the Black Lives Matter movement to gender-affirming care to the coronavirus pandemic. After dismissing the virus and declining to take the vaccine, the rocker said he tested positive for COVID in 2021. (“I thought I was dying,” Nugent said.)
Nugent is vehemently opposed to President Joe Biden and his administration, calling the president a “soulless zombie” and comparing him to Adolf Hitler. He shares his views with about 3.7 million followers on Facebook, 660,000 followers on Twitter and 474,000 followers on Instagram. Nugent also has a YouTube channel with about 40,000 subscribers.
The guitarist and singer — a Michigan native also known as “Uncle Ted,” “The Nuge” and “the Motor City Madman” — is no stranger to Alabama, and has performed here several times over the years.
Nugent performed at Birmingham’s Iron City in 2017, for example, and has appeared at venues such as Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham. During his ‘70s heyday, Nugent headlined at least three times at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, according to data provided by the venue. Most recently, he performed in August 2022 at Mars Music Hall in Huntsville.
Previous shows in in the state haven’t inspired passionate dissent on social media, but this time evidently was different. The July 18 concert was the only Alabama date announced for Nugent’s farewell tour, and it’s unclear if the promoter, which is part of concert giant Live Nation, will move the show to another venue or city.