Las Vegas -- For many rockers, the name Madd Maxx Hammer may conjure up memories of the first time they heard the likes of Metallica and Pantera on their radio's. During the 1980s and 1990s America's most popular rock jock was none other than Madd Maxx Hammer. An in your face rocker who was heard across the nation via the legendary Z-Rock radio network, as well as many other high profile rock stations. Hammer was also a popular broadcast boxing announcer and syndicated writer for the sport.

During his many gigs, Maxx also found time to tour with rockers such as Pantera and Godsmack. A plate full with daily decadence of sex, drugs and rock and roll, which eventually took its toll.

At the turn of the century, Madd Maxx Hammer walked away from the spotlight of broadcasting and rock and roll and made a leap of faith.
Many have posted topics on message boards over the years asking what happened to this veteran rock radio pioneer?

Maxx (real name David Tuckmantel) took time to share with me where he is in life... a born again Christian, rocker turned minister.

How hard was it for you to walk away from the rock-n-roll lifestyle and follow your faith?

I really did not walk away to go into the ministry. I worked in radio and toured with Pantera and Godsmack while I was with the ministry. Presently I am full time with the ministry, but to answer the question, God pulled me into this, I did not choose this. For more clarification read John 15:16 and John 6:37. A misconception regarding religion is that man accepts Christ on his own accord, but that is not true... read 1 Corinthians 2:14 to get a better handle on this.

Did you see signs throughout your media career that made you think a change was needed in your life... what happened?

Well that is a good question. God put an incurable disease of the bowels (Crohn's disease) in me, similar to what God did to King Jahoram in 2 Chronicles 21:18-19. At that point in my life, I had no choice but to call on the name of the Lord. I thank God every day for this disease and for opening my eyes to the truth...as the bible says in 1 Thesolonians chapter 5 - in all things give thanks... even what we may consider negative or bad.

You were America's top rockradio jock back in the Z-Rock days, and many other high profile stations around the nation. Do you miss the spotlight and or crave to get behind the mic again?

No I don't. Jesus says in Luke 9:23 that we (His elect) must deny ourselves, not fulfill self and that makes it easy to move on and forget the past. I don't look for carnal or material things, I look on spiritual things. I did however work in radio while in the ministry for 2 years in Dallas, Texas at 990 Texas Talk Radio as a newscaster. The owner went bankrupt and the station went under. At that point, I gathered my belongings and moved to Tennessee to be with the ministry full time.

What is your opinion of the radio business in today's digital age?

I really have no opinion, but I still listen to radio and it sounds the same now as it did when I was a kid, listening to 93 KHJ, Los Angeles (Boss radio) and KRLA.

Do you use your previous fame and fortune to help deliver your message of faith?

Not really. I just preach to whom ever God gave ears to hear and eyes to see (Proverbs 20:12). I am more of a street preacher as I wear t-shirts that have bible scriptures written on them and people stop me to explain. I also call the TV evangalists and churches out of the yellow pages, and tell them they are preaching a false message in order to get money. A good song to explain this is Suicidal Tendencies, "Send Me Your Money." I like the line in that song that says, "here comes another con hiding behind his collar, his only god is the almighty dollar!"

Finally, what advice would you give to folks in the radio & music business, who are walking that fine line with their religious beliefs?

Repent or perish... Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5. These two verses are repeated verbatim and are only two verses apart.

All The Way To The Maxx! Madd Maxx Hammer, enjoyed popularity and success during his two decades in the rock radio business. In 1986, ABC Radio launched a nationally syndicated hard rock and heavy metal radio network called Z-Rock. Up and coming rock jock Madd Maxx Hammer was burning the airwaves in California when he got the call to join the Z-Rock team. The network launched in many major markets like Chicago and Dallas, and eventually spread with affiliates across the nation. Madd Maxx became the most popular on-air personality on Z-Rock, so management decided to spin-off a national show for him. The Z-Rock 50 was a weekly hard rock countdown show, distributed to rock stations across the U.S. in addition to Z-Rock outlets. This solidified Hammer's position as top hard rock jock in America, which open many new doors for him in the media business. A lifelong boxing fan, Hammer got a chance to host many major boxing events for national television sports networks. He also wrote the popular Inside The Ring column for the Sports Network, which eventually lead him to showcasing his talents on sports radio. Hammer interviewed hundreds of stars from the world of heavy metal music, and eventually befriended many of them. In 1993, Maxx began side work as personal trainer for Pantera lead singer Phil Anselmo, who had Hammer join their world tours. This lead to many other tours such as Godsmack, as Hammer also trained for the group's lead singer Sully Erna. Maxx had a heavy work load, and eventually left Z-Rock to pursue major market offers from rock radio stations across the country. In 1997, Hammer joined with fellow rock radio rat-packers to form the LoudRadio Network, which was a digital and edgier version of Z-Rock. The crew also did double duties by hosting the rock music video show Crank It Up! on UPN. By early 2001, Maxx retired from the broadcast field and took time off to reflect and pursue his faith