Stanislaus County Fair-bound Bret Michaels makes everything his business

He’s a little bit country, a lot of rock ’n’ roll and all business.

Bret Michaels has watched his career span from hair metal heights with Poison to solo success and now even country music, selling some 32 million records along the way. All the while, the 52-year-old has built his brand out to include a range of products, endorsements and high-profile business acumen.

Michaels will headline the Stanislaus County Fair on Thursday, July 16. He will be among a host of nationally touring acts coming to play the expo’s Bud Light Variety Free Stage, ranging from opening day act Colt Ford on Friday, July 10, to closing night act Banda Machos on July 19.

Michaels released his new country album, “True Grit,” this spring. He gave The Bee an email interview about his new sound, his business sense and his desire to give back.

Q: Tell me about your new album and its first single “Girls on Bars.” This isn’t your first foray into country, but why do you think now was a good time?

A: I was on tour last winter and I needed a fun summer party song. I had an idea, so I called up Luke Laird and said, “Listen, I have an idea.” Luke is from Pennsylvania, too, so we completely related. No matter where you’re from or who you are, we all want to have a great time. We all need some kind of release. Summer always makes me think of people dancing at the bars and having fun. People are looking for a party after a long winter.

Q: Where does your love for country music come from, and how do you think it fits in with your Poison and rock fanbase?

A: Some of the first music I listened to growing up was country music. My dad listened to it, and he played pedal steel guitar and I would play harmonica. The harmonica was the first instrument I ever learned to play. Then I gravitated toward the guitar and the piano. I just really loved great songs, and country music has great songs. People like more than just one genre of music. Kenny Chesney and I played “Every Rose” to a sold-out stadium a year or so ago – the entire place was signing.

Q: You’re quite an entrepreneur. You won “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2010 and also have a popular line of pet products. Have you always been interested in the business side of things?

A: I’ve always enjoyed being creative, and it is awesome when that can carry over into producing products that are functional, affordable and are of great quality. I’ve had the good fortune to work with amazing business partners like Petsmart on my Pets Rock line and Overstock on the Live Bret Michaels collection. Winning the highest rated season of “Celebrity Apprentice” was fulfilling and proves that hard work can have results. Touring 200-plus dates every year, I meet a lot of local entrepreneurs who have great products and ideas who ask me for advice. I encourage the small inventor to have fun and get it done; you never know what can happen.

Q: You’ve had several health scares in the last few years, some that could have been very dangerous. Yet you keep a very aggressive touring schedule. What keeps you motivated to go out and perform?

A: From an early age my parents instilled in me that you can’t sit around and pity yourself. When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 6, my parents said: “This is the hand you were dealt – either it controls you or you control it.” So I did just that. I took control and never looked back. Sure it was tough as a kid, but I realized that I could do anything everyone else could do, sometimes it just took a little extra planning. That has kind of spilled over into my adult life. I can’t just sit around and feel sorry for myself, and I certainly don’t want to sit and wait for something to happen. I love to play music, to travel and meeting people.

Q: You also do a lot of charity work, for military families and others. In fact, the last time you performed in this area, you reached out to a local family whose son has autism and invited them out as VIPs to a concert. What inspired you to give back, and do you often reach out to fans like that?

A: I come from a family of a lot of military veterans. My dad served, my cousins and sister served, my uncle Nick died in WWII – all working to protect our freedoms as Americans. It is important to thank our men and women for helping to ensure our freedoms. When I was diagnosed with diabetes, my mother started a camp in an effort to help other kids and families who had also been diagnosed. It was always important to her to connect and to try to help others. I try to meet as many people as I can, as my fans are who have helped me live out my dream for all of these years. I love to meet people and hearing their stories. Sometimes meeting someone may inspire them to do something differently or give them hope, but it also inspires me as well. I have met a lot of amazing people, and I always look forward to more opportunities to do so.

Q: What can people expect from your performance at the Stanislaus County Fair? Mix of Poison and your work, some country?

A: Our set is a lot of fun and a good mix of my solo music, Poison music and some fun covers.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Stanislaus County Fair-bound Bret Michaels makes everything his business."