LYNYRD SKYNYRD
PUTS A HOLLA-ON
@ TUESDAY IN THE PARK
JULY 26, 2011
The crowd was expected to be HUGE and the venue was not far off in preparing for flocks of fans to arrive early for a great spot. Entering the venue ourselves 45 minutes later than normal left us searching for a good spot to view the show. Our usual seating area was well over crowded by the time we made it inside the venue, so an alternative location needed to be found quickly. We were unable to get a double spot anywhere inside the rails so our options were reduced as we still needed to have a visual of the stage even if the video screens would be the only option.
Fans who come only to have to sit outside the rails are the most loyal Artpark audience members. Some spots are off the visual mark to see the stage and it is impossible to ever catch a glimpse of a screen. Yet, people come in droves week in and week out grabbing up these locations. Some dance the night away while others just sing along in an almost reminiscent state. My only personal observation is that with the amount of people that have come to the shows over the past several weeks with the temperatures peaking at numbers rarely seen in our area, it would have really shown integrity if the venue would have given away one bottle of water for each attendant. The dollars paid out to stand in front of the stage or to sit in the boxes on top of the hill should have been more than enough revenue to supply Artpark with a truck load of bottled water. A not-for-profit group often gives a little back to those loyal and with the weather at the breaking point a little acknowledgement to the fans would have been great. This week, however, the weather could not have been more perfect for the little get together with Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Opening for the show was Tom Hambridge Band, whose leader Tom is a Grammy Award winning songwriter, and they were the perfect set-up for the featured artist Lynyrd Skynyrd. Among Hamdridge's repertoire are songs appearing on Susan Tedeschi, George Thorogood, Gretchen Wilson and my favorite Buddy Guy's various CDs. The band ran through every hit from Hambridge as well as Tom jumping behind the kit and showing off his talent with the sticks. Those who chose to stay at home missed one of the best shows of the season, but as I looked around it seemed that most of both Erie and Niagara County joined by many from across the border came to Rock 'N' Roll. The Rockin' Blues runs through Hambridge's veins and it is unmistakable how incredibly talented he is as a performer. Local boy comes home to showcase his mastered proficiency and bring his songwriting to life on the stage of his old stomping grounds.
Next up is the group no one can contest to being the most powerful Southern Rock Band of all time, Lynyrd Skynyrd. They never cease to amaze me at every show with their mix of hits as well as fan favorites. The band never wrote a bad song. As I go through their discography, no matter what song I click to, even from God & Guns they fill the air with the true grit of Rock 'N' Roll. I often sway to songs that do not get over played on the radio but with Lynyrd Skynyrd it is rare that a station gets switched off if this band hits my speakers.
Johnny Van Zant takes the helm with the impossible task of filling the shoes of his older brother and founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd which was formed in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida. Johnny has the chops to bring his brother to life on the stage each and every night they play live. The line-up has been a swinging door as original members have left or passed away, leaving Gary Rossington (Guitar) the only founding member left on the tour. The music is so ingrained with the players and the audience that even second rate would bring the crowds to a show. These musicians came to put on a first class musical experience that, as you navigated toward the front, the smell of a Lynyrd Skynyrd show adds to what the band offers on stage.
"MCA", "I Ain't the One", Skynyrd Nation", "What's your Name", and "Down South Junkin" led to the ever so popular "That Smell" that takes on a life of its own. Groups of people gather in circles to show homage to the track that speaks to a generation who lit up to this track from Street Survivors, the album released just days before the airplane crash that took some of Southern Rock’s best musicians. Few from the audience were sitting as the band let everyone know that "I Know a Little" and they knew exactly what the people wanted to hear.
"Simple Man', "Gimme Three Steps", and "Call me the Breeze" could only be topped off with a round of "Sweet Home Alabama". The crowd responded to every note with eyes peeled to the stage and screens. Not many could be drawn away from what the band was laying down on stage. The blue light emanates on the stage and surrounds the night sky as the band trickles from the stage and waits for the crowd to respond. The band made the crowd work hard to get them back to center stage and give them all what everyone knew was coming. "Free Bird" opening notes are so distinct; it has unmistakable unblemished chords that ripple and never fail to bring a crowd of thousands together as one.
Thank You, George Osborne and Staff, all other thoughts aside you have put together the most exceptional schedule that will be hard for others to top. The question that remains is after the 10th anniversary schedule winds to a close, will Osborne & Staff be able to take next summer’s calendar to an even higher plane? Sadly, for RUSTYSCAGE.COM we will have made our major move to California and may not get to attend, but the people of Western New York could be in for another tremendous line-up.
7/26/11
