Dear Billy and Gene,
I can hardly express my gratitude for your gift of the DVD’s about Lynyrd Skynyrd and Gene Odom. I was absolutely blown-away by your generosity and kindness. I was especially pleased to receive not only the Pepsi Tribute and Gene’s interview along with Coach Skinner’s, but the added bonus of the “Whistle Test” from 1975. These DVD’s are treasures beyond what I had expected.
Let me share with you my use of the DVD’s yesterday within the classroom. I was called in to substitute once again in a Civics and World History classroom. While I continue to seek a teaching contract, I manage to make ends meet by being on-call to several schools for a meager per-day payment. Most days that I spend with the students are so rewarding that I often feel as though it is I who should pay the school for the privilege of being there. I have never felt quite so richly rewarded as I felt yesterday when I presented your DVD’s for the students viewing.
This Friday was the last day of school before a week of school vacation. It is a notorious day for accomplishing very little academically in the classroom as all eyes are looking forward to vacation plans. Many teachers simply throw in the academic towel and use the class time for showing a movie, such as “National Treasure” or perhaps allowing the students to play some games during the period. As a substitute, I am duty bound to implement the absent teacher’s lesson plan without deviation. I realized first thing upon arrival that the day’s lesson of reviewing a 3-page, single-spaced article with 4 essay questions utilizing complete sentences, was not going to be met by much joy from the students longing for an easy day. Thankfully, I had a secret weapon at my disposal. I had the original Lynyrd Skynyrd; Ronnie Van Zant and fellow band members, along with Coach Skinner and Gene Odom on my team for the day.
There were six 45-minute classes scheduled through the day. I warmed the class up by being upbeat and positive about the assignment. To the moans and groans of; “Why can’t WE watch a movie?” I told the students that I did indeed have something special for them to watch but that they could only see it if they promised to work on the writing assignment during the film’s presentation. “What is it?” they asked fearing a biography of Winston Churchill or some other boring documentary.
“Ah, I have something very special that you might like to see. Last night, I received in the mail a package of DVD’s directly from Gene Odom who was Ronnie Van Zant’s friend and bodyguard. Y’all know who Ronnie Van Zant is right? [Many did but to the few puzzled faces I added: ] The original Lynyrd Skynyrd, before the plane crash, the days’ they were at their peak. You know: “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama”.”
Yes, they knew but most had never seen original footage of the band performing. Youth, currently, are most familiar with “Free Bird” as being the final hurtle, the last challenge to the video game “Guitar Hero”. It is in a manner of speaking, the Holy Grail quest of gamers. I knew quickly that I had their attention.
Class by class, I introduced the assignment with the added special bonus of watching “Free Bird” performed live by the original Skynyrd. I decided to begin with the Whistle Test’s cuts of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” knowing that no one could resist the power of the music and I then followed up with either the Pepsi Tribute or the Gene and Coach interview. Each and every class got down to work as the video ran, each student working on answering the questions for “What are we currently thankful for?” assignment, each student listening and looking towards the screen intermittently to catch a view of the legendary band.
From the back of the room, I looked on in silent pride as the assignment was completed in it’s entirety but also completed with skill and academic effort. Even the students who were traditional non-achievers completed the assignment. No grumbling, no complaining, no noise other than the scratching of pens upon paper and the sound of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s RVZ’s voice backed by the fabulous guitar riffs and thundering drums. The students were mesmerized and wanted more. “Who is that?” “OOoooo look at his hair!” “That’s a Fender.” “I think it’s a Gibson.” “Oh WOW! This is awesome!”
They loved Coach Skinner’s story of the band’s name and played off with teacher’s names within the building. I became “Syndyrsyn”, perhaps the name of a future band as yet un-formed. The students listened to Gene’s words, wide-eyed and with reverence as they understood the tragedy of the sad loss.
Word spread throughout the school at lunchtime that I was showing the Skynyrd films. The afternoon classes arrived anticipating and wanting to see “Free Bird”. I found myself in the rare situation of being the classroom that was envied. Those students who had thought they had it made in other classrooms with the movie “National Treasure” and no classroom assignment, were jealous of my kids! The students actually remained seated and focused all the way up to the ending bell, wanting to watch more. This simply never happens as the kids are usually watching the clock and ready to leave 5-minutes before the bell! I watched in amazement. This was a special day in my teaching career. A silent young male student, who never says a word in class and is withdrawn and often alone, stayed behind. “I have a Lynyrd Skynyrd story to share with you” he said. His face broke into the first smile I have ever seen on him as he related his father’s love for Skynyrd and of the treasures his Dad had collected over the years. I was truly touched by this student’s sharing and obvious pride. To reach a student is my goal, my “Free Bird”.
Billy and Gene, I know I have written quite a bit but I wanted to share the full experience of the day with you. Perhaps you can understand how special it was to see yet another generation awaken to Lynyrd Skynyrd and know that we are “Keeping it ALIVE”. Thank-you for the DVD’s and Bless You for your kindness.
Cheers, Annie from www.AllSouthernRock.com

LYNYRD SKYNYRD DOCUMENTARY WITH GENE ODOM
Experience this Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary as if you were there, because I was and you will be too. This exciting Documentary covers the complete Lynyrd Skynyrd Bus Tour 2008 with all the stories. For all the true Lynyrd Skynyrd Fans. I have shared some behind the scenes stories never before told. The Ballad Of Gene Odom DVD is also included. This DVD Collection is available at the prices listed below. Inside USA $29.99. Outside USA $39.99. All shipping and handling is included.
Thanks!!! Gene Odom