Post by Susan on Apr 23, 2007 0:57:58 GMT -5
Gator Alley Band Review
A Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd
April 21, 2007
Santa Cruz, Ca
We arrived in Sant Cruz, CA at 10am. When we arrived at the Harley Davidson Dealership there were already over 200 Bikers there. Festivities were already underway. Venders were set up and a registration booth for the riders going on the run. This event was to benefit the Jacob cancer foundation. A very touching scene when all the riders were giving donations, buying raffle ticket, and paying to register for the run. I was immediately greeted by their band/tour manager, Steve. Now he is just a doll. He see’s me and says there’s my girl and followed by a hug. This is a very loving man that takes his job very serious. I love him.
While the riders were gone on the run. I had to time to mingle with the Gator Alley Band once again. Only this time we had several hours to set up, talk and just plain goof off and have some fun. As band members arrived at different time, everyone was happy to see each other and the fun began. I started taking pictures of the behind the scenes of the festivities. And to say the least. These guys are fun. I had the opportunity to meet wives and fiancee’s. All of whom we very pleasant and fun to hang out with.
The guys got started on setting up the stage and equipment. This in itself is no easy task. I finally got to see for myself how many it takes, along with all the work, hard work that goes with it. Sound boards have to be set up, sound checks, and a ton of cords running to I don’t even want to try to explain. But it all done with perfection to make sure the sound is none other than perfect.
First band member I run into is Mel, the lead singer. We exchange pleasantries and talked for a few but Mel is a man of few words. He lets his singing do his talking and this you can be sure of. He is very good at his job. He remember every little saying and remark that Ronnie Van Zant makes in his songs with out forgetting one, not one, This makes for the real thing cuz I for one look for that in a tribute band. Good job Mel.
Next is Paul the drummer who has a personality that compares to nothing I’ve ever seen. We hug and he introduces me to a couple of folks. And with out missing a beat is sure to mention that I work for Southern Fried and did a great interview with Mike, Pat and Cutty. Also tell of the other work I do on web sites. And seems very proud of the fact that I started a forum for their band called, “The Gator Hole’. Paul is fun, always upbeat and enjoys playing the drums. Which he is very good at. Paul got the entire band to sign a drum stick for me and I will always treasure that.
Next up is Mike. Mike has become a very close friend. He was the first one I met and we seem to have a lot in common. Mike is the serious one of the band. He takes everything to heart and is very business like right up to the moment they go on stage. I’m not saying the rest are not. But Mike wants everything fine tuned and running without a glitch. And it does. He seems to be high strung up until the last moment until he gets on stage and straps on that guitar. Than his natural ability kicks in and he rocks from start to finish.
Ginny the back up singer is just so pleasant and talks to everyone like they are her best friend. She is the cool and calm on thru the whole thing. She knows her job and does it with extreme talent. On stage she sings out the back up vocal like that of an angel. And never stays still. Always dancing and moving to the beat and getting the audience involved. Her charm stands out for all to see and people can not help but to feed from it. She is able to get the audience up on their feet and clapping. She moves around the stage and you can find her at anytime dancing with one of the guitarist. This is a site to see. She is one fantastic lady
A different keyboard player was there from the last show I saw. He was very kind. And man can he play. He plays that keyboard to perfection. His name was Kenny and I found him pleasant and hard working. He can play like no other I’ve seen and doesn’t miss a beat. And let me tell you he plays a mean snoopy tune from the peanuts cartoon. That seem to be everyone’s favorite. We did get a chance to talk and low and behold he is a hometown boy from Vallejo but relocated to another area a while back. But grew up in area. This is always nice to run into. I consider that, home town boy makes good.
Than we add the none other than Pat. Also known as Smythers. This guy is so unpredictable. But you just can’t help but love him. Nothing bothers him. He is very sure of himself and just does what he does best. Plays the guitar and gives the audience a thrill of a life time. Behind the scenes, Pat is the fun, witty, and charming one. He is never in a bad mood and can bring even the worst person to break a smile. I just can’t say enough about this guy. I enjoy talking with him and cracking jokes. So lets just call him the joker of the band. He is always got something funny to say. He makes comments out of the blue that make you go, “What”? I just know he is the life of a party and I want to throw one just to invite him to it.
Cutty, now there is a man after your heart. He plays with passion and literally gets into every song. Sometime I think he is in another place with his music the way he closed his eyes and jams. I believe it may be heaven to him. Cutty is also fun and full of humorous comments. Always on Pat and picking on him in one way or the other. These two make quite a pair. I’m not sure I could handle them both at the same party. But it could be very interesting to find out what would happen. Cutty moves around the stage also and can play a guitar like it was born in his hand.
Jimmi. I can only find to say about him is, his stage presence. He has a way of drawing you in and holding your attention with his charming smile, not to mention the way he can hold an audiences attention. He does do tricks on stage. He stand there and plays with all his heart. There is no doubt that this man is a natural and was born to be on stage. We also had a chance to talk and he is always so nice and pleasant to be around. You will see in the PICS what Jimmi is like. He is crazy. His arrival was extremely hilarious what he did to Pat. And I will post that pick cuz Pat was completely surprised.
Now for the concert. Well, as always I loved it and they play the Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes like its second nature to them. They keep the audience intrigued and hanging on every note. People are standing, dancing and singing right along. They opened with, “Workin For MCA”. A favorite of many. As I said, Mel does not miss any little behind the music comments that Ronnie Van Zant made which is what we all like about Ronnie. His was his trade mark so to speak. The band plays with the ability of no other I have ever seen. The switch out guitars to make sure they get the right sound so you hear the real thing. They strive on sounding like Lynyrd Skynyrd and not looking like them. It is a group effort and everyone does their part. I find myself more and more impressed with them when I hear them play. Paul keep up on the drum like he was in the band himself, not to mention he kinda looks like Artimus. All we need to do is put shorts and knee socks on him and he’s a match. Paul plays with all his heart. As do the guitarist in the band. They all switch out parts so no one plays just one original Lynyrd Skynyrd part. They all play them all. Which makes for more enjoyment and the fact that one member is not trying to be a certain Lynyrd Skynyrd band member. Well, that about wraps it up for me. Until the next time which will be in June. I hope sometime you all get the chance to see this band.
I do have video for you all to see and hope you enjoy it. Just give me time to post it.. Thanks and I hope you all enjoyed this.
Susan Snider
April 2007
PICS
A Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd
April 21, 2007
Santa Cruz, Ca
We arrived in Sant Cruz, CA at 10am. When we arrived at the Harley Davidson Dealership there were already over 200 Bikers there. Festivities were already underway. Venders were set up and a registration booth for the riders going on the run. This event was to benefit the Jacob cancer foundation. A very touching scene when all the riders were giving donations, buying raffle ticket, and paying to register for the run. I was immediately greeted by their band/tour manager, Steve. Now he is just a doll. He see’s me and says there’s my girl and followed by a hug. This is a very loving man that takes his job very serious. I love him.
While the riders were gone on the run. I had to time to mingle with the Gator Alley Band once again. Only this time we had several hours to set up, talk and just plain goof off and have some fun. As band members arrived at different time, everyone was happy to see each other and the fun began. I started taking pictures of the behind the scenes of the festivities. And to say the least. These guys are fun. I had the opportunity to meet wives and fiancee’s. All of whom we very pleasant and fun to hang out with.
The guys got started on setting up the stage and equipment. This in itself is no easy task. I finally got to see for myself how many it takes, along with all the work, hard work that goes with it. Sound boards have to be set up, sound checks, and a ton of cords running to I don’t even want to try to explain. But it all done with perfection to make sure the sound is none other than perfect.
First band member I run into is Mel, the lead singer. We exchange pleasantries and talked for a few but Mel is a man of few words. He lets his singing do his talking and this you can be sure of. He is very good at his job. He remember every little saying and remark that Ronnie Van Zant makes in his songs with out forgetting one, not one, This makes for the real thing cuz I for one look for that in a tribute band. Good job Mel.
Next is Paul the drummer who has a personality that compares to nothing I’ve ever seen. We hug and he introduces me to a couple of folks. And with out missing a beat is sure to mention that I work for Southern Fried and did a great interview with Mike, Pat and Cutty. Also tell of the other work I do on web sites. And seems very proud of the fact that I started a forum for their band called, “The Gator Hole’. Paul is fun, always upbeat and enjoys playing the drums. Which he is very good at. Paul got the entire band to sign a drum stick for me and I will always treasure that.
Next up is Mike. Mike has become a very close friend. He was the first one I met and we seem to have a lot in common. Mike is the serious one of the band. He takes everything to heart and is very business like right up to the moment they go on stage. I’m not saying the rest are not. But Mike wants everything fine tuned and running without a glitch. And it does. He seems to be high strung up until the last moment until he gets on stage and straps on that guitar. Than his natural ability kicks in and he rocks from start to finish.
Ginny the back up singer is just so pleasant and talks to everyone like they are her best friend. She is the cool and calm on thru the whole thing. She knows her job and does it with extreme talent. On stage she sings out the back up vocal like that of an angel. And never stays still. Always dancing and moving to the beat and getting the audience involved. Her charm stands out for all to see and people can not help but to feed from it. She is able to get the audience up on their feet and clapping. She moves around the stage and you can find her at anytime dancing with one of the guitarist. This is a site to see. She is one fantastic lady
A different keyboard player was there from the last show I saw. He was very kind. And man can he play. He plays that keyboard to perfection. His name was Kenny and I found him pleasant and hard working. He can play like no other I’ve seen and doesn’t miss a beat. And let me tell you he plays a mean snoopy tune from the peanuts cartoon. That seem to be everyone’s favorite. We did get a chance to talk and low and behold he is a hometown boy from Vallejo but relocated to another area a while back. But grew up in area. This is always nice to run into. I consider that, home town boy makes good.
Than we add the none other than Pat. Also known as Smythers. This guy is so unpredictable. But you just can’t help but love him. Nothing bothers him. He is very sure of himself and just does what he does best. Plays the guitar and gives the audience a thrill of a life time. Behind the scenes, Pat is the fun, witty, and charming one. He is never in a bad mood and can bring even the worst person to break a smile. I just can’t say enough about this guy. I enjoy talking with him and cracking jokes. So lets just call him the joker of the band. He is always got something funny to say. He makes comments out of the blue that make you go, “What”? I just know he is the life of a party and I want to throw one just to invite him to it.
Cutty, now there is a man after your heart. He plays with passion and literally gets into every song. Sometime I think he is in another place with his music the way he closed his eyes and jams. I believe it may be heaven to him. Cutty is also fun and full of humorous comments. Always on Pat and picking on him in one way or the other. These two make quite a pair. I’m not sure I could handle them both at the same party. But it could be very interesting to find out what would happen. Cutty moves around the stage also and can play a guitar like it was born in his hand.
Jimmi. I can only find to say about him is, his stage presence. He has a way of drawing you in and holding your attention with his charming smile, not to mention the way he can hold an audiences attention. He does do tricks on stage. He stand there and plays with all his heart. There is no doubt that this man is a natural and was born to be on stage. We also had a chance to talk and he is always so nice and pleasant to be around. You will see in the PICS what Jimmi is like. He is crazy. His arrival was extremely hilarious what he did to Pat. And I will post that pick cuz Pat was completely surprised.
Now for the concert. Well, as always I loved it and they play the Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes like its second nature to them. They keep the audience intrigued and hanging on every note. People are standing, dancing and singing right along. They opened with, “Workin For MCA”. A favorite of many. As I said, Mel does not miss any little behind the music comments that Ronnie Van Zant made which is what we all like about Ronnie. His was his trade mark so to speak. The band plays with the ability of no other I have ever seen. The switch out guitars to make sure they get the right sound so you hear the real thing. They strive on sounding like Lynyrd Skynyrd and not looking like them. It is a group effort and everyone does their part. I find myself more and more impressed with them when I hear them play. Paul keep up on the drum like he was in the band himself, not to mention he kinda looks like Artimus. All we need to do is put shorts and knee socks on him and he’s a match. Paul plays with all his heart. As do the guitarist in the band. They all switch out parts so no one plays just one original Lynyrd Skynyrd part. They all play them all. Which makes for more enjoyment and the fact that one member is not trying to be a certain Lynyrd Skynyrd band member. Well, that about wraps it up for me. Until the next time which will be in June. I hope sometime you all get the chance to see this band.
I do have video for you all to see and hope you enjoy it. Just give me time to post it.. Thanks and I hope you all enjoyed this.
Susan Snider
April 2007
PICS