If you are a true fan of rock n roll, you know that Lynyrd Skynyrd epitomizes “Southern Rock”. Classic rock stations world-wide continue to spin LS every day. Fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd are true die-hards, never letting go of the principles they were raised with. I was raised the same way. I was recently connected to Gene Odum from a true southern lady named Dianne Graham. A lot of things have entailed since that day.
Gene Odom was Ronnie Van Zant’s best friend growing up in a small town, and his bodyguard during the skyrocket that launched Lynyrd Skynyrd into rock n roll history. Gene and Ronnie continued to be the same best friends through the whirlwind, as they were as little boys fishing together. This story isn’t only about one of the most famous bands in rock n roll history, but one of families facing the challenges of fame.
Gene has written a book detailing the whole experience that no one else on this earth knows. The book will shortly be a movie that will finally tell us the entire real story. I can say that I am still in awe this man has trusted me with information that very few people know. I am just a dude that grew up listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd….and today, I stand to be a part of the healing process. Yea…I’m trippin’…The things Gene told me on the phone were some of the most moving things I have ever heard. After I got off the phone with him, I was pretty shaken, and it takes ALOT to shake me. Here are a few things he said. Here we go…
QUESTION: Can you remember the first album you and Ronnie listened to together?
ANSWER: Not right now. I am old school…mainly country. The one Merle Haggard made after he got out of the pen comes to mind. Ronnie listened to a lot of stuff.
QUESTION: What did you and Ronnie enjoy growing up?
ANSWER: Man, we loved fishing. We would drag a flat-bottomed boat for miles. We were one of the first I know that started liking artificial lures.
QUESTION: Who got the most women in high school?
ANSWER: Man, I never made it to high school. I had to get a job. Ronnie didn’t stay in high school long. He got a girl pregnant, and had to get a job. Hell, he still gets more women even after he died.
QUESTION: What’s the first thing you remember after the plane crash?
ANSWER: The first thing I remember is waking up in a hospital. No one told me during my recovery Ronnie had died. I guess they thought it wouldn’t be good for me during recovery. When I was told I needed to go see Ronnie, I didn’t know it would be his grave. I remember laying Ronnie down in the floor of the plane after the show. He said something about some girls giving him some sleeping pills. He could have been up all night with them, too. I don’t know. I tried to wake him up before the plane crashed. I picked him up and strapped him in between Allen and Gary.
Gene told me a lot more, but I really don’t know what to do with it. I will say the movie, if done correctly, should be one of a kind. I am truly honored to even be a part of the whole process. We are coordinating a book-signing tour for Gene. If you can’t make it, you can get his book here www.LynyrdSkynyrdDixie.com You can also make new “Friends” here 
Gene not only survived the plane crash, he also survived seeing families and people he knew and loved torn apart by silly legal entanglements. He is still alive, and he is my friend.
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