Tag Archives: lynyrd skynyrd

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Smoky White Devils Set Nashville’s Rock Scene On Fire

December 12, 2016 Christine Ellis

unnamed Smoky White Devils Set Nashville’s Rock Scene On Fire

The adrenaline rush of witnessing the birth of a world-class rock band is a rare thing, but the emergence of Nashville’s Smoky White Devils has provided exactly that high-velocity thrill in the last months of 2016. This band of incendiary players has been superheating Music City clubs with high-energy performances that blend the cutting edge of songwriting and rocking sonics with a backbone rooted in the classic sounds, styles and inspirations of some of the most intense musicians of the classic rock era: Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin… The result is a musical bridge between the past and present, leading to rock ‘n’ roll’s future.

The quintet of veteran players is fronted by Richie Owens on vocals and slide and rhythms guitars, and harmonica. Owens has toured with Dolly Parton and produced albums for Parton, the Georgia Satellites and the Kentucky Headhunters. Nick Kane, from the platinum years of the Mavericks, plays lead guitar. The aptly named Peter Keys, who also holds the piano bench in Lynyrd Skynyrd, plays keyboards. And drummer Jeff “Shakey” Fowlkes, who hails from session drummer on Kid Rock’s albums, and bassist John Reed, of longtime Nashville punk rebels Raging Fire, are the granite-tough rhythm section. Together they have forged an unforgettable style.

Now, as Smoky White Devils, they are poised to raise hell. Feel the burn December 17th at East Nashville’s The 5 Spot.

Facebook event link – https://www.facebook.com/events/670128136495312

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One More for the Fans – 11/14/2014 – Photos (Part 2)

July 29, 2015 Christine Ellis

More photos from the tribute to the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd:

Jamey Johnson, Jason Isbell, Peter Frampton:

Trace Adkins, Donnie Van Zant, Charlie Daniels:

Alabama, Gregg Allman:

Blog, Live Music Photos, Photography

One More for The Fans: Lynyrd Skynyrd – Nov 12, 2014 – Photos (part 1)

July 20, 2015 Christine Ellis

The tribute to the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta has just aired on AXStv and will be released on DVD this month. I was lucky enough to attend the show and this is the first chance I’ve had to post the photos to my web site. It was an amazing night of music with some remarkable performances from amazingly talented musicians.

Here is group one of the photos.

Randy Houser, Jimmy Hall, Robert Randolph, Aaron Lewis

Blackberry Smoke, O.A.R., Cheap Trick

John Hiatt, moe., Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule

Artwork, Blog

Most recent finished drawing…

October 14, 2014 Christine Ellis

I started this drawing back in May of 2014 and finally found the time to finish it up. It’s on large paper, but the people were too small for any real detail, so it leans a little more towards cartoon/caricature in that department.

It combines my two favorite things – Lynyrd Skynyrd and Pirates of the Caribbean – into a single drawing as I prepare to sail away on the Simple Man Cruise in November.

I really haven’t had a lot of time to draw, but I will be posting some of the recent ones in the coming weeks.

Here’s the whole drawing, stitched almost perfectly together in Photoshop from multiple scans. The paper I used is like 20″ x 14″ or something similar. (Click to view it larger.)

Here’s a slideshow of the drawing, broken up into smaller pieces to see the detail.

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Free Bird!

September 4, 2014 Christine Ellis

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” is an iconic song that has ended every one of their live shows for decades. The title is shouted at countless concerts of every artist other than Lynyrd Skynyrd, including country concerts, club shows and more.

There are more than a dozen different versions of “Free Bird” release on various Skynyrd albums alone, varying in length from the demo version at 4:07 in length to an alternate take of the live version recorded for the One More From The Road live album at nearly 15 minutes in length.

The original recorded version from the Muscle Shoals sessions clocked in at 7:26 in length and featured harmony vocals from then drummer Rickey Medlocke.

“Free Bird” was written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant. Whether you listen to the short version or the long version, it is instantly recognizable from the first note, Gary Rossington’s slide parts and Collins’ solo.

A few artists have covered “Free Bird” giving their own take of the classic, also in varying lengths. Charlie Daniels and Molly Hatchet have covered it at between roughly 10 and 12 minutes. Country singer Wynonna released a 7:44 minute version on her Revelations album. Joey + Rory released a short 3:49 minute version that has an acoustic bluegrass feel. I love the Joey + Rory version.

In researching the various versions of “Free Bird”, I came across two other versions that I find quite interesting.

The first is from the Vitamin String Quartet, from there 2006 release The String Quartet Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd: This Sweet Home.

The second is from the Lullabye Baby Ensemble album 50 Greatest Baby Lullabies released in 2010. If you have Rhapsody, you can listen here:

Of course, nothing beats hearing “Free Bird” live performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Here are two versions from the 1970’s line-up and the 2000’s line-up.

Blog, Music News, Press Releases

Consonant Music Presents: The All Time Low Stars feat. Kenny Olson and Peter Keys Live at Hard Rock Cafe

August 24, 2014 Christine Ellis

Nashville, TN. August 13th, 2014 – Consonant Music, a Nashville-based entertainment company, is pleased to announce The All Time Low Stars feat. Kenny Olson (Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band) and Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd, P-Funk) live at Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville on Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 at 7:00 PM CST. The performance will include special guest appearances by Alexander King (A&E’s original series “Big Smo”) and Laura Reed (Sony / ATV). Remedy 9 will set the fantastic evening of rock, funk and soul in motion with a debut live performance and video shoot.

Consonant Music, founded by music and technology veteran Dustin Templeton in 2013, is proud to present this group of talented musicians.

“I’m incredibly proud to work with all of the people involved in putting this show on. The artists are top-notch, and so are our co-sponsors. It’s a pleasure to work with professionals who share the similar goal of keeping integrity and soul into live music. This show might just bend some people’s minds,” Templeton said.

The evening’s headlining act will be The All-Time Low Stars featuring Kenny Olson and Peter Keys. The Low Stars are a vibrant blues-rock band that brings funk and soul to the stage along with gritty rock ‘n’ roll sounds that both Olson and Keys create. Kenny Olson, a founding member of Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band, now lives in Nashville and has collaborated with Keys to form the band full of phenomenal musicians. The All Time Low Stars includes J. Kott on bass, Michelle Lambert on fiddle and Timothy Haney on the drums. The collective band brings a mixture of talent together and combines it into an exciting blues-rock experience. When asked about The All Time Low Stars Keys replied,

“We are a group of seasoned musicians capable of entertaining even the most jaded fans. We collectively have played for millions, traveled around the world, and kicked its ass on every continent. We live for this sh*t!”

Special guest performers include Alexander King and Laura Reed. King co-stars in A&E’s original series “Big Smo” as singer/hype man touring in Smo’s band as well as a featured writer and artist on his Kuntry Livin’ album. King brings an interesting twist to the show with his unique style of “Southern Rock Hip-Hop.”

King recently released his debut single “Southern Fried” that features Olson and Reed and contains an appearance by Keys. King plans to release his debut EP American Gypsy later this year.

“It’s incredible to have so many talented people get down with you organically. These folks are some of my favorite artists in music, and it’s an honor to rock with them,” King stated about the show.

The opening act Remedy 9 features Kayla Dillon, who is in the process of moving to Nashville from New Jersey to bring her music to life.

“I am honored for the opportunity to open for such incredible talent; and beyond excited to rock out, and debut Remedy 9 with music that is so dear to me,” Dillon said.

Consonant Music is collaborating with Hard Rock Cafe (http://www.hardrock.com/cafes/nashville/), Nashville Sign and Graphics (http://nashvillesignandgraphics.com), the area’s #1 promotional material provider, and The Record Shop (http://therecordshopnashville.com), a full-service recording studio and production company, to promote the show and capture the experience on video. This free concert will showcase some of Music City’s finest talent, and all-ages are welcome.

Hard Rock Cafe, located at 100 Broadway, Nashville TN, 37204 can be reached by phone at (615) 742-9900.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/689720941108638/

Consonant Music Website Link: http://consonantmusic.com/all-time-low-stars-live-hard-rock-cafe/

Kenny Olson: http://www.kennyolson.com

Peter Keys: http://www.peterkeys.com

The All Time Low Stars: https://www.facebook.com/AllTimeLowStars

Alexander King: http://www.aetv.com/big-smo/cast/alexander-king

Laura Reed: http://laurareed.com/

Remedy 9: http://remedy9.com/

Consonant Music: http://www.consonantmusic.com

Hard Rock Cafe Nashville: http://www.hardrock.com/cafes/nashville/