Gene Odom in Toronto, Canada. May 2008

Gene Odom – Lynyrd Skynyrd lives at the Horseman Tavern

When I first heard about Gene Odom coming to town accompanied by a tribute band my initial reaction was that it was just another guy riding on the memory, talents and coat tails of the famous band and was just refusing to let go years after the deaths of the main characters. Like the Army of Elvis impersonators and the industry of imitation that was spawned under the guise of tribute, I have to question the motivation and the sincerity. Where does tribute end and tacky imitation begin? What is honest respect and what is merely making money off a dead-man. Why do something original when you can leach off the success of someone else? Why not live your own life and be yourself rather than be a cheap imitation of someone else?

The whole concept bothers me.

I had heard John Derringer interview him on Q107 and I changed my mind. He seemed genuine and sincere and the interview went on for a full twenty minutes or so, which would not have happened had Derringer deemed him to be a fake or a flake or a bit of both. Derringer is a knowledgeable guy and one who is not afraid to call someone’s bluff or expose him/her a flake or a fake if he discovers him or her to be such.

Being that he was right in my town I figured that I should and would check him out.

I knew that he was going to be at Freak’n Leather from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM so when the Show and Shine ended at Markham I headed right to Freak’n Leather only to find Gene had left and that I was a little too late.

Tina and Attila gave me a ticket so that I could catch him at the Horseman Bar on Yonge St. later that night.

I rode on over after dinner and wandered in to the bar. It was a nice little bar and as the name would suggest had a horsy, western theme to it and offers and an off track betting service as well, and has many TV monitors with coverage of various horse races.

I was met by a quiet mild mannered gentleman who when I asked to speak to Gene Odom tried to point me off to someone else.

A lady stepped in to tell me that he was Gene Odom (who now had a huge grin on his face) and it set the stage for a very enjoyable, comfortable and informative meeting.

I do not profess to have the knowledge and insight of John Derringer when it comes to music, this band in particular, or any band in general, and I had and have no delusions of coming close to his interviewing skills but I’m never too old or adverse to learning, and from what I got from the twenty or so minutes that Derringer gave the listeners on the radio was that there was an opportunity to learn something and from the source I wasn’t going to let it pass me by.

It was not really an interview but an experience and one that I can share with my readers. When you go Cruising with Critter you never know for sure where you’re going or what your going to find when you get there. I don’t see why should you be any different? Going somewhere and getting there is what counts.

Gene was very forthright and easy to talk to, he answered my questions with sincerity and he never tried to cut things short.

He spoke of the fateful plane crash that would alter his life forever and cost him his left eye and lifelong friend Ronnie Van Zant.

I am looking forward to reading this book and Gene informed me that there is another in the works that will speak of those who have in the past, at present and continue to wrongfully benefit from the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and his efforts to stop it and out the money back into the hands of those who are morally and legally entitled to it.

The band (Blackhander) had some problems at the border, due to some previously undisclosed charges and legal issues, which proved to be an expensive experience in terms of both time and money.

Gene had to go on to deal with others who came in to get copies of his book and I was introduced to Billy and to Colleen Swider who is the publicist for Gene and the band.

Colleen was a pleasure to talk to as well and she and Billy informed me of a bus tour that goes to many of the places that were inspirational to the band and ending at the site of the plane crash that ended young lives far too early.

For more information and lots of great stuff, from memorabilia and pictures happenings go to http://www.LynyrdSkynyrdDixie.com

I hung around to catch a set by the band Blackhander and they were well worth the wait as they breezed effortlessly through some great renditions of Lynryd Skynyrd songs and some of their own material as well. I have to mention that there was a girl from West Virginia (I didn’t catch her name but I got her picture) who was the girlfriend of one of the guitar players who was absolutely breath-taking. It was a great end to a great day.

I have no faith in weather forecasters.

Warmest Regards,

Critter

http://rickdavis.ca/cruising/

Comment by skynyrddixie — July 9, 2008 @ 11:31 am