Ted Nugent recently announced a temporary replacement for his drummer, Jason Hartless, following a serious backstage accident at a recent casino gig, sharing the update in a video on Instagram.
The rock musician praised his band’s dedication before explaining how the accident occurred backstage and detailing the injuries Hartless sustained.
“Well, what happened last night is the greatest rock and roll concert, the most guitar fun in the world,” Nugent said. “I’m surprised my band members, Johnny Big on bass guitar and vocals, unbelievable talent, unbelievable work ethic, and Jason Hartless, the founder of NugeVault. These guys are so dedicated, so gifted. I’m surprised they don’t hurt themselves dangerously every night just playing my songs.”
Nugent then described the moment Hartless fell backstage after their performance in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
“But coming off stage last night in Lawrenceburg, Indiana at the casino, unbelievable concert,” Nugent continued. “We were all just so disoriented from the sonic bombast that Jason went against the curtain backstage as we’re getting ready to leave the stage, and the curtain hid a gaping hole at the edge of the stage, and my beloved drummer, my best friend Jason Hartless, tumbled into the abyss.”
He went on to share details about Hartless’s injuries and his recovery process.
“He dislocated his shoulder, fractured his humerus,” Nugent added. “But he’s healing. His beautiful wife Lexi and his family are there to help him get back.”
Nugent then sent his well wishes to Hartless and announced that John Kutz would be stepping in to cover the upcoming shows.
“So Jason Hartless, our prayers are with you,” Nugent said. “We love you. You work so hard. You’re so dedicated, so talented, and you’re a funny man. So he’s getting fixed all up right now, and he will be fine. But John Kutz from the wilds of Waco, Texas, who does all my speakeasies down in Texas and Oklahoma and Arkansas, John Kutz will be there tonight filling in for Jason, and he will do a Herculean job.”
He concluded by thanking his fans for the successful 2026 concerts and sharing his plans for the upcoming hunting season.
“But Jason, we will miss you, and thank you, everybody, for the greatest concerts of my life in 2026,” Nugent concluded. “Now it’s the hunting season. Jason will get well, and me and the dogs and Shemaine, we’re going hunting every day.”
The announcement comes at a moment when Nugent’s live schedule is already winding down for the year, which makes the timing of the drummer change especially significant for the handful of remaining dates.
Nugent’s current 2026 touring run includes only a small number of dates, with a Sept. 19 show at Lawrenceburg Event Center in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and a Sept. 20 appearance in Charles Town, West Virginia. The Lawrenceburg casino date was scheduled for 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m., confirming the venue where Hartless was injured.
Hartless has been far more than a sideman during his time with Nugent. Hartless has worked closely with Nugent on the Nuge Vault project, helping sort through decades of archival recordings, tapes, photos and jam-session material stored in Nugent’s Michigan barn. The Nuge Vault releases have included rare studio outtakes and were executive produced by Nugent and Hartless.
That archival work has given Hartless a prominent role in Nugent’s recent activities beyond the stage. Hartless has been described as Nugent’s drummer and the curator of NugeVault.com, the membership site built around Nugent’s live audio and video archives. Nugent and Hartless have spent years combing through unreleased recordings and archival material, underscoring how closely Hartless has been tied to both the band and the vault project.
Kutz, meanwhile, arrives with a working history in Nugent’s live orbit. He has built a career as a working rock drummer and has been linked to Nugent’s “speakeasies” performances in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, giving him familiarity with the stripped-down club-style shows that have become part of Nugent’s recent live schedule. That background makes him a natural choice to step in on short notice for the remaining dates.
This update comes as Nugent wraps up his touring schedule for the year. Further updates on Hartless’s recovery are expected as he heals.
