RSS FeedLetter to Gene
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Lynyrd Skynyrd at Barry Fey's home in Denver, Colorado
Dear Gene,
Hello! My name is Donna Mott and I live in Cato, a small town near Syracuse NY. I wanted to send you this letter telling you how much I enjoyed reading your book, Remembering The Free Birds and to thank you for all your time and effort that went into making these memories available for people like me to read.
I had just turned 15 a few days before the plane crashed. I didn’t really know anything about Lynyrd Skynyrd except that they sang Sweet Home Alabama. I remember the following evening hearing a voice singing on the TV out in the living room. My dad was watching the evening news and I thought it sounded like Lynyrd Skynyrd. I came down the hall and saw that ghostly segment of Ronnie singing That Smell, in black and white, while they gave the report. I remember hearing them tell about the crash and the sorrow I felt. I realized that I had finally got to see who Lynyrd Skynyrd was, but this wasn‘t how I wanted to hear about them. So that’s where my interest started. I made up my mind that one day, when I got older, I was going to try to learn more about these folks and what happened to them.
It was a couple years later before I was able to purchase the Gold and Platinum double lp set (the first album I ever bought!). I was afraid I’d wear it out so I copied it onto a cassette and took it in my car everywhere I went. Mom and dad weren’t for rock music so I couldn’t listen to it in the house when they were home. After I got out on my own I was slowly able to build up a collection of all my favorite music and eventually I was able to get a computer and learn how to nose around on the internet. During the past 10 years I’ve owned one, I have done research about other artists I admire, John Denver and Johnny Cash to name a few. But about a month ago I was listening to a co-worker discuss the incident of how Artie and the other 2 fellas walked away from the crash and came upon Mr. Mote and how he had fired his gun at them. He didn’t know why Mr. Mote fired the gun and I also was puzzled as to why someone would do such a thing, so I just had to go home and start doing my research. I searched Amazon and I found a list of all the albums Lynyrd Skynyrd has made and was surprised to see so many more than I thought there’d be. My first thought was “I have some catching up to do.” I was surprised to find several books written about them too. After reading a section of your book on line, I went out and bought a copy right away and read it all in about a week (that‘s REAL good for me). I was pleased to find your book held all the answers that I’d been wondering about for such a long time. What made me buy your book was the fact that you knew the band members from childhood (especially Ronnie) and you were actually on the plane with the band when it crashed. I just can’t express the amount of sadness that I feel knowing (some of) what you and the others went through. I know there is more to your story than what you put down in print and it must have been awful to endure. I give you so much credit for your endurance and your desire to tell the story. I read slow when I read because I tried to put myself in your position, to feel what it must have been like. I know I would have been so scared! I won’t fly to begin with, so when my husband and I go traveling we drive to get where we’re going. I know if I were you I’d never even want to look at another plane again. So, I give you a lot of credit Gene, for being able to have the strength to ever get back inside one. I feel so bad about all that happened to you and the other folks that day. I can only sit here with tears and imagine how horrifying it must have been. And I just can’t get over the fact that folks were coming and taking personal belongings while you all lay there in pain and while the others had passed away. I just can’t imagine what kind of person would do such a thing? I have to hope and pray that somehow over time they have come to their senses and are truly sorry for what they did, that they now are better people. To have so many show up like that, so quickly, wow! I’m just glad that the experienced people, doctors and such arrived and as soon as they did. Being in a swamp like that back off the road and at night, I’m surprised they could get you folks the help you needed as quickly as they did, even though it must have felt like forever.
You brought up some very good points on pages 176-7 about questions that have haunted you. I am that sort of person myself, who wonders what if I had done this or that instead of what I chose to do? What could I have done to try and prevent something bad from happening or to make things have a better outcome? I guess that’s why I have a hard time making decisions. I sure can appreciate how you must feel wondering these things. It would drive me crazy. For what it’s worth from little old nobody me, I do think if I was in your place that evening I too, would have woke up Ronnie and tried to get him belted in. It’s just a first instinct to do that. After reading these pages over a couple times I discussed it with my husband about these other possibilities like the limo’s being on time, having added more gas or even filled it , knowing that more fuel might be used due to the problem with the engine. How important our decisions are, is really something to ponder, our daily decisions and how they do make a difference. And Shame on that airplane company for not sending out a mechanic immediately, instead opting to save a couple bucks and plan to meet up later in Baton Rouge!! Sadly, how often we hear about this sort of thing going on. It’s so important to learn from other’s mistakes if we can and shame on those who selfishly choose to ignore these valuable lessons.
I sure wish the guys hadn’t decided to rely on alcohol and drugs the way they did. Just think of all the fights and accidents that could have been avoided! It sure must have been painful for you to see these talented guys like this. I have to admire you Gene, for being “The Last Rebel” (I love how Ronnie called you that ). I too am sort of a last rebel (next to the last, ha ha) as I have proudly rejected all opportunities to do drugs. Although I am not against having some wine or a beer once in a while, I am strongly against excessive drinking. My neighbor was killed by a drunk driver. I am impressed with Ronnie’s decision to make changes in his life and for him to ask you to help with this for the better of all. What an honor for you Gene! I’m so proud of you for your efforts there….Bravo, applause! I was also very pleased to read that Gary, Leon, Allen and Billy told you how they appreciated your efforts. They finally got to feel the real undiluted joy of their profession and the reward for their accomplishments. Far Out!!
What a sad set of circumstances that happened to the poor Gaines family. Bad enough for the parents to loose 2 of their children in the crash but later to have the mom killed and the father being crushed. My goodness that is so sad for that family. What they have had to endure is just enormous! I hope they have come through it all alright.
I am just disgusted with the thought that someone(s) broke into Ronnie and Steve’s resting places and disturbed them. How could someone even think of doing such a thing, let alone attempt to do it? Again, my hopes are that they have made positive changes in their lives. I am glad that the families decided to relocate them to a private place of rest. I sure hope they will forever stay safe now.
I enjoyed all the pictures you included and I also thought it was neat how you have the cool artistic scroll at the bottom of every even page! I appreciated how you described the crash site and it’s surrounding area. I’m a map hound, so I got out my map of Mississippi so that I can come pretty close to where it happened. I’m glad you put a discography in your book and it was also really neat to see the list of concerts that they performed, several times near my home. If only I were old enough back then, to go to one, I would have loved to have been there! It’s neat to know that Ronnie never wrote his lyrics down, he just remembered them. Wow! I would think someone would have to write it down in order to remember them, to figure out just how something should sound or maybe another way better? That is really something that he could just remember what he wanted to sing, just how he wanted it to sound. What a talent! And I just love to hear him whistle and how he threw them in every now and then. It makes me smile. I could easily comment on every page of your book because it was so informative.
I’d like to also mention how much I enjoyed seeing Free Bird the movie. I had no idea it was out there until I did this search at Amazon and found it listed. I SO loved that movie!! It was awesome to watch and to see the band perform. When it got to that part showing the clip of Ronnie singing That Smell where he was dressed in the white tunic top (in black and white film) I held my breath as I remembered seeing it on TV, back on the national news that day in October. It gave me goose bumps to see that again! I really liked the interviews with everyone and even seeing the inside of the plane and how the seats were just as you described. I also have the Old Gray Whistle Stop DVD too which was neat. I saw that one first and I was impressed with how high Allen could leap during Free Bird. He was totally into the song! I also loved seeing him stomping the beat to Gimme Three Steps. It just makes you wanna clap and sing with them. Gary is so quiet and mild it seems. It was neat to see him playing Free Bird. I had no idea that was a guitar making that bird noise, COOL! And there’s Leon with his various hats he wore, especially the English bobby ones, ha! What a kick I got out of seeing him dressed like that with a shirt to match, LoL. You must have had SO much fun with these guys. I’m glad you had that precious time to share with them.
I also did a search at Google and was pleased to find some websites to look at. I first found Judy’s and later found one that is yours and Mr. Billy Webb‘s. I so appreciate the photos different folks have made available for others to see. It’s nice that there are places where you can go to see these things and read about them. I know I have only looked at the tip of the iceberg so there is much more for me to check out, especially since I consider myself a kindergartener when it comes to computers…ha! I have just finished listening to Street Survivors. I had to get a few cds to ad to my collection to get caught up on the recordings with Ronnie. I love the ones that are slower, more country like, just as much as I love Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. If I had to pick a favorite it’d be Tuesday’s Gone, but All I Can Do Is Write About It really speaks to me like John Denver does. It touches my heart about the environment. I am so pleased to know that Ronnie was concerned about it too. I am a fan of Hank Williams too and I can see how he inspired some of Ronnie’s songs. And I also like Merl Haggard. His Silver Wings is one of my favorites.
I have a question for you before I close. Is your first book, I’ll Never Forget You different from Remembering? I was just curious because if it is I’d like to read that too. Seems it’s hard to find now? Please, could you give me a direction to head in?
I know you must have something else to do today…ha LoL! I’ve just been trying to get the courage up to write you and say how much I really liked your book. It really helped me to feel what it must have been like back then to experience all the things you did. I now feel like I sorta know Ronnie in a way, which is nice to feel. I know they say time heals wounds, but I still think you are very brave to have gone back in time and put so much feeling and expression into your memories (some very sad and painful) to share with others. It means a lot to me, Gene. I hope somehow this has put a smile on your face today.
Wishing you Peace and all that’s good…..
Donna Joy Mott
