Post by hooty on Apr 21, 2007 16:30:00 GMT -5
Copied and Pastered this from MoM Katbyrds site. GREAT Reading
This band you cannot change
Band gives sympathy after Tech shootings
BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
The jingle that connects you to Rickey Medlocke's phone is hilarious -- a "South Park" scene that makes you forget that you're sitting on hold for 30 seconds.
But as soon as the genial Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist starts talking, he's completely serious.
"I knew I was gonna be talking to someone in Virginia today, and I can't tell you how bad I feel for those kids," Medlocke says.
It is Tuesday morning, and he's talking, of course, about the news story that has even penetrated the consciousness of a rock star living in Fort Myers, Fla.
"I know how Skynyrd is. We take things to heart, being an American band," he continues. "When 9/11 happened, we stayed on the road. We felt like people needed it. I haven't spoken to anyone in the band yet, but I can imagine we're going to do something [when we're in Richmond] to let people know that [the Virginia Tech shootings] are on our mind. You tell those people that Lynyrd Skynyrd is with them 150 percent."
Consider it done.
Medlocke, 57, and the rest of the mammoth Skynyrd gang -- originals Gary Rossington (guitar) and Billy Powell (keyboards), plus Ean Evans (bass), Michael Cartellone (drums), Johnny Van Zant (vocals), new guitarist Mark Matejka and backup singers Dale Krantz-Rossington and Carol Chase -- just launched the Rowdy Frynds tour with Hank Williams Jr. and .38 Special.
That boisterous, sure-to-sell-some-beer lineup stops at Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena on April 27, and Medlocke says it's such a massive production that he can promise "people won't see anything like this anywhere else."
But first, a Frynds-less Lynyrd Skynyrd comes to Innsbrook After Hours on Wednesday. If past shows are an indication, Rebel flags will be waved and lighters held aloft as the band crunches out punchy renditions of songs that are to classic rock what the Gospel of St. Luke is to the Bible.
Plenty of veteran Southern rock bands still earn decent scratch from the touring circuit -- the others on the Rowdy Frynds bill, for instance -- but Skynyrd maintains an incomparably loyal fan base.
"I believe that number one, first and foremost, it's the songs," Medlocke says as the reason for such adoration. "I believe the material is never-ending and will be there a lot longer after I'm gone.
"Nowadays, our fan base is from 15 to 55; it spans two or three generations across. The media has helped keep Skynyrd right in your face . . . but we're the ultimate American band. It's true American stuff, and we're as loyal to our fans as they are to us."
Ardent followers will be pleased with the news that the band is writing material for a new album, and Medlocke hopes he and the crew will get into a Nashville studio after their summer tour.
"It's gonna be good, man. I think people are gonna love this stuff, a lot of up-tempo songs that still sound like Skynyrd," Medlocke says.
Along with his duties as one of the band's guitarists -- last year, third axman Matejka replaced Hughie Thomasson, who returned to The Outlaws --Medlocke is continuing his side career as an actor.
He's been on "Nash Bridges," played a rancher in William Shatner's 2002 movie, "Groom Lake," and stars with Tom Sizemore in "Zyzzyx Rd.," which he expects will get a wide release this year.
Lynyrd Skynyrd also delved into the latest fad -- rock cruises -- earlier this year with the "Gimme Three Days" voyage to the Bahamas.
Joined by .38 Special, Drivin N Cryin, American Minor and similar bands, Skynyrd mingled with fans, played a few electric sets and was even inspired to break out the acoustic guitars for an impromptu jam.
"I never got to get out and lay in the sun or anything like that, but it was a lot of fun with the fans," Medlocke says.
Next year's January jaunt to Mexico is already available for booking, but since it's now extended to four days, it has a new name: the "Simple Man" cruise.
After chatting for about 20 minutes, Medlocke gets an incoming call -- another interview he has to dash off to take. But before he hangs up, he has one request: "Please tell those families that Lynyrd Skynyrd sends its prayers and condolences."
This band you cannot change
Band gives sympathy after Tech shootings
BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
The jingle that connects you to Rickey Medlocke's phone is hilarious -- a "South Park" scene that makes you forget that you're sitting on hold for 30 seconds.
But as soon as the genial Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist starts talking, he's completely serious.
"I knew I was gonna be talking to someone in Virginia today, and I can't tell you how bad I feel for those kids," Medlocke says.
It is Tuesday morning, and he's talking, of course, about the news story that has even penetrated the consciousness of a rock star living in Fort Myers, Fla.
"I know how Skynyrd is. We take things to heart, being an American band," he continues. "When 9/11 happened, we stayed on the road. We felt like people needed it. I haven't spoken to anyone in the band yet, but I can imagine we're going to do something [when we're in Richmond] to let people know that [the Virginia Tech shootings] are on our mind. You tell those people that Lynyrd Skynyrd is with them 150 percent."
Consider it done.
Medlocke, 57, and the rest of the mammoth Skynyrd gang -- originals Gary Rossington (guitar) and Billy Powell (keyboards), plus Ean Evans (bass), Michael Cartellone (drums), Johnny Van Zant (vocals), new guitarist Mark Matejka and backup singers Dale Krantz-Rossington and Carol Chase -- just launched the Rowdy Frynds tour with Hank Williams Jr. and .38 Special.
That boisterous, sure-to-sell-some-beer lineup stops at Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena on April 27, and Medlocke says it's such a massive production that he can promise "people won't see anything like this anywhere else."
But first, a Frynds-less Lynyrd Skynyrd comes to Innsbrook After Hours on Wednesday. If past shows are an indication, Rebel flags will be waved and lighters held aloft as the band crunches out punchy renditions of songs that are to classic rock what the Gospel of St. Luke is to the Bible.
Plenty of veteran Southern rock bands still earn decent scratch from the touring circuit -- the others on the Rowdy Frynds bill, for instance -- but Skynyrd maintains an incomparably loyal fan base.
"I believe that number one, first and foremost, it's the songs," Medlocke says as the reason for such adoration. "I believe the material is never-ending and will be there a lot longer after I'm gone.
"Nowadays, our fan base is from 15 to 55; it spans two or three generations across. The media has helped keep Skynyrd right in your face . . . but we're the ultimate American band. It's true American stuff, and we're as loyal to our fans as they are to us."
Ardent followers will be pleased with the news that the band is writing material for a new album, and Medlocke hopes he and the crew will get into a Nashville studio after their summer tour.
"It's gonna be good, man. I think people are gonna love this stuff, a lot of up-tempo songs that still sound like Skynyrd," Medlocke says.
Along with his duties as one of the band's guitarists -- last year, third axman Matejka replaced Hughie Thomasson, who returned to The Outlaws --Medlocke is continuing his side career as an actor.
He's been on "Nash Bridges," played a rancher in William Shatner's 2002 movie, "Groom Lake," and stars with Tom Sizemore in "Zyzzyx Rd.," which he expects will get a wide release this year.
Lynyrd Skynyrd also delved into the latest fad -- rock cruises -- earlier this year with the "Gimme Three Days" voyage to the Bahamas.
Joined by .38 Special, Drivin N Cryin, American Minor and similar bands, Skynyrd mingled with fans, played a few electric sets and was even inspired to break out the acoustic guitars for an impromptu jam.
"I never got to get out and lay in the sun or anything like that, but it was a lot of fun with the fans," Medlocke says.
Next year's January jaunt to Mexico is already available for booking, but since it's now extended to four days, it has a new name: the "Simple Man" cruise.
After chatting for about 20 minutes, Medlocke gets an incoming call -- another interview he has to dash off to take. But before he hangs up, he has one request: "Please tell those families that Lynyrd Skynyrd sends its prayers and condolences."
