Poison’s Bret Michaels takes reality plunge

NASHVILLE — This summer looks like a busy one for rock band Poison’s Bret Michaels.

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EMI America Records/Capitol just released “Poison’d,” which finds Michaels and original bandmates C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall serving up covers of such classic-rock tracks as Alice Cooper’s “I Never Cry,” the Rolling Stones’ “Dead Flowers” and the Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See.” Poison is supporting the album on a 55-date summer tour, kicking off June 13 in Greenville, S.C.

His reality dating show, “Rock of Love With Bret Michaels,” premieres July 15 on VH1. Michaels will introduce music from his new solo album, due this fall on VH1 Records. The first single, “Go That Far,” is the show’s theme, and Michaels plans a country single as well.

Other rockers are pursuing country radio, but Michaels was ahead of the curve when he released the single “All I Ever Needed” in 2004, then further endeared himself to country audiences as a judge on “Nashville Star.” In addition to his solo album, Michaels is working on a movie, and plans a solo tour in October.

Billboard: Why did you do a reality show, and what can viewers expect?

Michaels: There were a couple of things that I asked for: I had to be able to play my solo music in the show and I had to do everything unscripted. I did not want to be told who I was. And I told them the show could not be shot in my house. It’s extremely over the top. A couple of the girls got in actual fights. There’s motorcycle racing and motorcycle wrecks. There’s full-contact lingerie mud football ... It’s crazy.

Billboard: How did you incorporate your music?

Michaels: (Viewers will) hear new solo music as well as solo music from the past. They’ll hear some of Poison’s hits. It was fun doing the show, but it was also a great chance to really expose my music. If this show wasn’t music-driven, I don’t think I would have done it.

Billboard: Why did Poison do a covers album?

Michaels: I always want to do an original record. The covers record would not have been my first choice, but since me and Bobby (Dall) had a little altercation onstage in Atlanta, we figured it might be fun just to do some cover songs and be creative in the studio. We had a lot of fun making the record, and we got to work with Don Was. He’s (produced) Garth Brooks, the Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt. He’s a real music-driven guy.

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Billboard: You and C.C. DeVille had a famous altercation at the MTV Music Video Awards in 1991 that resulted in him leaving the band. How is everyone getting along now?

Michaels: We are brothers through thick and thin. I don’t know any band who has been together for 20 years and hasn’t had a few knock-down drag-outs. We beat each other up, and the next day we are having a beer and discussing life.

Billboard: What’s next for Sheen/Michaels Entertainment, your film company with Charlie Sheen?

Michaels: The tentative title is “Between a Rose and a Thorn.” I’ll work on it all summer long as far as scripting it and then go into production. It will basically be my life story, not only in the music business but what happened as a child. If (I) could take the humor of “Spinal Tap” and the emotion of a movie like “Ray” and combine it, I would make a dramedy.