West Coast’s Largest Motorcycle Event On The Banks Of The Colorado River

Thursday April 23rd

Friday April 24th

Saturday April 25th

Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel And Casino

1650 Casino Dr
Laughlin, NV

Enjoy the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd sound of Skynnyn Lynnyrd with Special Guest Gene Odom. Gene will be on hand signing his book Lynyrd Skynyrd “Remembering The Free Birds Of Southern Rock”
Gene will also have some special Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia from his personal collection.

Coach Leonard Skinner, Susan Hughey, and Gene Odom

Don’t miss this great show! This will be some fabulous entertainment!! Gene Odom and Dickey Betts go back together at the beginning of the Southern Rock era. They have not seen each other since the summer of 1977. What a great time it will be.

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Hometown rockers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, suffer another tragic loss. Keyboardist Billy Powell died Wednesday in his Orange Park home of a suspected heart attack. He was 56 years old.

The news came as a shock to family, friends, and fans. Gene Odom worked security for the band in its heyday. And like Powell, he survived the 1977 plane crash that devastated the band, killing frontman Ronnie Van Zant. Bonded from that moment on, Odom calls Powell a rock and roll rarity. “On the road, he was true blue. He was the guy that didn’t let rock and roll ,and the fame, and the women mess up his marriage. He was a great family man,” says Odom.

Odom also says Powell’s death is the end of an era, “Not only should they bury Billy Powell, they should bury the name Lynyrd Skynyrd with him, because it’s over now.”

Former bodyguard penning tale about
life after accident
By RYAN TRARES
DAILY JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The death of a rock ‘n’ roll legend can define an era.
The death of a close friend can define a man.
No matter how many years pass, Gene Odom always will
remember the night of October 20, 1977.
Music fans will recognize the date.
Some where over Mississippi, the airplane carrying rock band Lynyrd
Skynyrd crashed, killing charismatic lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and
Four other people aboard. Odom was on that plane. As the band’s security director and Van Zant’s personal bodyguard, he helped pull his childhood friend into a plane seat and strapped in the sleeping Van Zant.
“That was probably three seconds beforethe crash,” he said.
The rest is rock ‘n’ roll history.

For Odom, the crash ended the chapter of his life with Lynyrd Skynyrd.
But his story extends further than his association with the famed band.
With the help of Franklin resident Scott Coner,he’s telling his own tale.
The two joined forces to write “Theirs Forever: The Ballad of Gene Odom,
“a retrospective of Odom’s life,complete with an accompanying album of
original music Coner wrote. Odom and Coner came together through their musical interest and while Odom was doing a favor for one of Coner’s friends. The friend, a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan who was suffering from cancer, wanted to see the band’s old neighborhood. Coner contacted Odom, who escorted the man through their old haunts. The friendship built from there. Odom has published two books about his time with the band. The first, “Lynyrd Skynyrd I’ll Never Forget You,”
was a self-published collection of memories he had growing up with Van Zant. The second, “Lynyrd Skynyrd, Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock,” follows the same formula, focusing on Odom’s time with the band. With this book, Coner felt it was time for Odom to tell his own story. “His life, the interesting portions, didn’t stop in 1977.They really started then,” he said.

For the past week, the two have been working at Coner’s Franklin home and office as Odom tells his story. While not dwelling on it, Coner knows it would be difficult to write the book without starting with the close relationship between Odom and Van Zant. The two were childhood friends. They grew up in the same poor neighborhood in
Jacksonville, Fla., and spent time fishing and hanging out, often wreaking havoc. They stayed friends after Van Zant started playing music. When Lynyrd Skynyrd started its meteoric rise, Van Zant asked Odom to be his bodyguard. Despite all of the tales that come from living with a rock band, Coner was fascinated by the parts that came after the plane crash. He wanted to delve into Odom’s rehabilitation from that wreck, which severely burned him and cost him his left eye. After two years spent recovering, Odom went to work as an ironworker. But a work accident in 1990,combined with the injuries sustained in the plane crash, made it too difficult to work. He has been living on disability since then. The book will touch on Odom’s divorce in 1989,an event he calls horrendous. He also will write about his two daughters and grandchildren, who are referenced in the title “Theirs Forever.” To go with the book, Coner, his musician friend Johnny Burbrink and Odom have been working on an album of original songs.

The lead track is “The Ballad of Gene Odom,” a haunting song detailing the fateful plane crash and legal troubles that arose in the 1980s with the surviving band members. Odom still holds some resentment for the current version of the band, which he refers to as “second-class Skynyrd” and “that clown act.” Their touring under the Lynyrd Skynyrd name and playing the old songs without Van Zant violates an agreement they all signed after the crash. But Odom tries not to dwell on that. He instead
wants to honor his friend while also saying something about his own life.
Coner hopes they appeal to Lynyrd Skynyrd fans while opening up new veins of music to their ears. The plan is to have the package ready to go by fall. Coner said they hope to have some music available on Odom’s Website, www.LynyrdSkynyrdDixie.com as well as perhaps a sample chapter. “We’re going to try and coerce them into taking a step out here in faith and saying maybe there’s something outside of Freebird’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’” he said.

SOUTHERN ROCK’S FINEST -will headline the State Theatre (dowtown St Pete) with special guests Rebel Pride, Sobriety X, Un4Givin, Down Jr., Brian Chris, and Lavafish. Also coming along with SRF will be author GENE ODOM, former head of security for Lynyrd Skynyrd ,body guard of Ronnie VanZant, and Skynyrd plane crash survivor. Gene will be signing his highly acclaimed book “Remembering the Freebirds of Southern Rock”, and selling great Skynyrd photos etc. from his personal collection.Don’t miss this Show!!

DAN TOLER- Lead Guitar;
Former member of the Allman Brothers Band(Arista Records), the Greg Allman Band(the hit “I’m No Angel”), and Dicky Betts & Great Southern.(Capricorn Records). ……………He also led the Dan Toler Band, TGZ, and the Toler Brothers with Frankie Toler(Allman Bros/ Marshall Tucker/Greg Allman Band). Dan has also performed and/or recorded with ; Hughie Thomasson(Outlaws/Lynyrd Skynyrd) Steve Gorman(Black Crowes/Robert Plant/ Jimmy Page/Stereophonics/John Corbett), Charlie Daniels, Chuck Leavell(Rolling Stones/Allman Bros./Sea Level), Jimmy Hall( Wet Willie/Jeff Beck/Hank williams Jr.),George McCorkle(Marshall Tucker band/Ghostriders), Bonnie Bramlett(Delaney & Bonnie/ Eric Clapton/Allman Bros.), Reese Wynans(Stevie Ray Vaughn/Allman Bros./Kenny Wayne Shepard/Buddy Guy/Martina McBride/Trisha Yearwood/Jerry Jeff Walker), Mike Brignardello(Taylor Swift/Faith Hill/Dolly Parton/LeAnn Rimes/Giant) Clydie King(Ray Charles/Elvis Presley/lynyrd Skynyrd), Jayboy Adams(Texas blues star),Greg Paulos(Freddie King band), Shawn Brown(Tampa Bay blues legend), Damon Fowler(Florida blues star) T.C. Carr(International blues artist), Tim Heding(Greg Allman Band/Marshall Tucker Band), John Townsend(Sanford-Townsend Band) and John Zahner(Savatage/Jon Oliva & Pain). Dan is Currently a member of CMT supergroup “Brothers of the Southland” with Bo Bice(American Idol winner), Henry Paul(Blackhawk/ Outlaws/Henry Paul Band), Steve Grisham(Outlaws/Ghostriders), Jimmy Hall, Mike Brignardello, Steve Gorman,Reese Wynans, and Jayboy Adams.
GARY GUZZARDO- Drums;
Former member of the Marshall Tucker Band(Capricorn Records) and Chris Anderson Band(the Outlaws). ………….. Gary has also performed with Rick Derringer, Joe Walsh, and Stephen Stills, Charlie Daniels, Tom Peterson (Cheap Trick), and John Zahner(Savatage/Jon Oliva & Pain). Gary is currently a Producer and a world class session Drummer.

PHIL STOKES- Guitar/Bass/Vocals;
Former member of Pure Prairie League(RCA Records). ………… Phil has performed and/or recorded with Charlie Daniels, Classic Southern Rockers with Bob Burns(Lynyrd Skynyrd) & Randall Hall(Lynyrd Skynyrd), George McCorkle(Marshall Tucker/Ghostriders), Tim Heding(Greg Allman Band/Marshall Tucker), Banner Thomas(Molly Hatchet/Big Engine),Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, James Burton(guitarist for Elvis Presley/Ricky Nelson), Pat Travers, Duane Probst(Little Texas), Jimmy VanZant, Tommy Crain(CDB) , Sleepy LaBeef-(rockabilly legend), Carol Chase(CDB) , The Jordanaires(backup vocal group for Elvis Presley/Ricky Nelson/Jerry Lee Lewis), Merrilee Rush(hit record “Angel of the Morning”), Omar Martinez(Paul Revere & the Raiders), Robin McNamara(hit record “Lay a Little Lovin’ on Me” & The lead Role of the Broad way Musical “HAIR”), Beverly Bremers(hit record “Don’t say you don’t Remember” & The Lead role in the Broadway musical “HAIR”), Mark Chatfeild(Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band/Godz), Patrik Johansson(Yngwie Malmsteen/George Lynch/G-3/W.A.S.P.), Dennis Yost & the Classics Four(“hit record “Spooky”), Jamie Lyons(Music Explosion-hit record “Little Bit O’ Soul”/Capitol City Rockets-Electra Records), Taz DeGregerio(CDB), Tommy Zvonchek(Blue Oyster Cult/Aldo Nova/John Lydon & Public Image /Clarence Clemons/Turtles-Flo & Eddie), Pat McDonald(CDB), Jimmy Gunn(Brooks & Dunn/Ghostriders), Sterling Smith(Beachboys/Kim Carnes/Jan & Dean), John Zahner(Savatage/ Jon Oliva & Pain), Doug Wilson(Top Elvis Impersonator), and “Nothin’ Fancy”(Skynyrd tribute band). Phil has recorded with Craig Fuller(Little Feat/Pure Prairie League/ the Fuller-Kaz Group/American Flyer), Jeff Fenholt ( Black Sabbath/Lead role in broadway play”Jesus Christ Superstar”), Tommy Rondonelli(Jo Lynn Turner Band), Randall Hall(Skynyrd), Johnny Neel(Allman Bros.),George McCorkle(Marshall Tucker/Ghostriders), Charlie Allen(Asperion Records), Gretchen Wilson and the Ghostriders(Beyond.FM Records U.S.A./Phoenix Records Europe/Sound Knowledge Records Canada). Phil Co-wrote ” Your wife’s been Cheatin’ on us” with Don Goodman(writer of No.1 hit -”Old Red”-Recorded by Blake Shelton). Phil also has performed with Dean Germaine(Buckinghams/Allman Bros./Sammy Davis Jr.), Steve Arvey(Top Blues artist), Gene Cornish(The Rascals), Shawn Brown(Hammond B-3 star), Vidar Busk(Norwegian blues-rock star), Lucky Peterson,(International Blues Star), Sean Chambers(Top Florida blues artist), Jimmy Farrar(Molly Hatchet/Southern Rock allstars/ Gator Country), and Jay Johnson(Blackfoot/Southern Rock allstars). Phil was a member of J.D. Blackfoot(Mercury Records),The Eric Moore Group(Formerly the Godz- Casablanca Records) ,Shakedown(Qfm 96 Records-Columbus Ohio), The Elvis Extravaganza Show with Jamie Coyne, Crossroads(Cream tribute Band).Phil worked with actress-singer Beverly DeAngelo(Star of ” National Lampoon’s Vacation Movies/ Co Star of “Coal Miner’s Daughter”/Vocalist with Ronnie Hawkins). Phil is Currently with the Ghost Riders(Phoenix Records-Germany/Europe, & Beyond.Fm Records- U.S.A.), and “The Phil Stokes Group”(Tampa Bay Florida).

BUZZY MEEKINS- Bass/Guitar/Vocals;
Former member of Molly Hatchett, the Artemis Pyle Band(Skynyrd), the Outlaws, the Dicky Betts Band, the Danny Joe Brown Band,(Epic Records) . …………Buzzy was also a member of the Derek Trucks Band, the Vassar Clements Group with Marty Stuart, Southern Rock Rebellion with Charlie Hargrett(Blackfoot),Bobby Caldwell(Johnny Winter Band/Captain Beyond/Iron Butterfly/Allman Bros.),Steve Wheeler(DJBB), Leslie Hawkins(Skynyrd), and Jo Jo Billingsley(Skynyrd). Buzzy has also performed with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Bros.,Robert Nix(Atlanta Rythym Section), Jimmy Hall(Wet Willie/Jeff Beck/Hank williams Jr.), Jimmy Jameson(Survivor), John Zahner(Savatage/Jon Oliva & Pain), Dean Germaine(Buckinghams/Sammy Davis JR./ Allman Bros.), Chuck Leavall(Allman Brothers /Rolling Stones/Sea Level), Cher, Greg Allman, Big Bill Morganfield(Son of Muddy Waters), Jackson Spires(Blackfoot), Butch Trucks Band(A.B.B.), Jaimoe(A.B.B.), and Matt Abts(Goverment Mule). Buzzy also toured with Michael Martin Murphy(hit song(” WildFire”)and recorded with Atlanta Rythym Section.

DAVE VALLIERE Guitar/Vocals/Keyboard
Played with Bob Burns(Project(Skynyrd) . …… Gigged with Pontus J .Back(formerly of Skinny Molly wth Mike Estes of Skynyrd & Dave Hlubek of Molly Hatchet) , Patrick Johannson (Yngwie Malmsteen/George Lynch/W.A.S.P/G-3) ,Joakim Svalberg(Yngwie Malmsteen/Jo Lynn Turner/ Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple), Bjorn Englen(Quiet Riot/Yngwie Malmsteen/Robin McCauley(Survivor/ Ricki Hendrix/White Diamond/Bleed), Peter Jezewski(Swedish Rockabilly star from The Boppers) and C.J. Scharg(LA Guns) .Dave has also performed and/or recorded with; Molly Hatchet, Johnny Neel(Allman Bros.),Taz DeGregerio(Charlie Daniels Band), Doug Grey(Marshall Tucker) Randall Hall(Skynyrd), Leif Sundin(Michael Shenker Group/Slash), Charlie Daniels, and Chris Hicks(Marshall Tucker/Outlaws), John Zahner(Savatage/Jon Oliva & Pain), and comedian Artie Fletcher(Connan O’Brian Show/David Letterman Show/Law & Order/NYPD Blue/3rd Watch). Dave is a former member of the Ghostriders, and toured worldwide with the Platters. He is currently the leader of The Dave Valliere Group.

Southern Rock's Finest at State Theatre in St. Petersburg FL

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The First Annual

Featuring The Marshall Tucker Band, Gene Odom, Country Inc, Tennessee Jed and many others to be announced!!!!
http://newsouthentertainment.com/

Gene Odom inverview on VLS

New York Times

Southern Man
The truck driver who taught his sons Ronnie, Donnie, and Johnny how to rock.

by Shaila K. Dewan

Click the images below to view a full size scan of the article:

Richmond County Daily Journal, Tuesday, December 19th, 2006.

Gene Odom and Leonard Skinner, Jr. stop in Rockingham, NC on their way to Baltimore to sign autographs at American Classics.

(Click the images to enlarge)

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering The Free Birds Of Southern Rock

?Fred Mills
http://www.magnetmagazine.com/interviews/skynyrd.html

While growing up in a tiny (population less than 5,000) Carolina textile and farming town, I witnessed a fair share of overtly racist acts practiced by some of the most virulent rednecks the burg could offer up. By the time I became a teenager I must have made a subconscious decision to deny much of that Southern heritage. Move-in day my first year at college and this guy in my suite we called Big Bill (who wasn?t from the deep South but from upper Maryland) finds it necessary to play ?Sweet Home Alabama? and ?Free Bird? over and over and over?to the point where all I could do was grit my teeth, regret the fact that my daddy?s .22 rifle is several hours? drive away and complain to as many of my fellow dormies about how here we are off at school, finally free of our hometown shackles, being forced to endure that most egregiously redneckish Southern-rock combo, Lynyrd Skynyrd. (Cue up four ensuing years of sanctimonious musical stiff-upper-lipdom on my part, courtesy of as much U.K. and German prog I could get my well-manicured mitts on.) (more…)