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Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Written By: Gary Crouthamel
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Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Gary Rossington
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Johnny Van Zandt
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Johnny Van Zandt
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Mark Matejka
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Michael Cartellone
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Peter Keys
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Rickey Medlocke
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Robert Kearns
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock
Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
Virginia Beach, Va. July 25, 2009

        Well, this was another first this year. Instead of making my way north to shoot a show, I was going south through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. I've been here quite a few times for shows but a first to shoot here.
        Very few tours are selling out this summer, but the Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock show played to a sold-out crowd of 20,000. I met up with the Live Nation (publicist) gal who escorted me to the pit and told me I was the only photograher shooting the show. I was shocked but not complaining. It makes it a lot easier when it isn't crowded in there.
        Lynyrd Skynyrd opened the show with a new song, "Skynyrd Nation," which quickly got everyone on their feet. Then they charged right into "Saturday Night Special" and "Gimme Back My Bullets" after which they were compelled to tell the crowd that the Skynyrd Family had lost two more band members in the past year, referring to bass player Ean Evans and original piano player Billy Powell. If you’re curious about either Lynyrd Skynyrd or Kid Rock's lineups, please Wikipedia this as it would fill up half the review.
        Next, Johnny Van Zant asked the crowd, “How many die-hard Skynyrd fans do we have in the house tonight?”  A roar from the crowd, then they played "What’s Your Name." Then he said, “we been there, done that, and are never going back!” as they launched into  "That Smell"  and "I Know A Little." The next song, “Simple Man,” was dedicated to all our troops everywhere fighting for our freedom to live in the best country in the world, Amen! Up next, from their new album God & Guns, to be released in mid-September was "Still Unbroken," before finishing their main set with "Gimme Three Steps," "Call Me The Breeze" and "Sweet Home Alabama." For their encore Van Zandt had only one queston for the crowd, “What song does Virginia Beach wanna hear?” A roaring scream for "Freebird" was heard as new keyboardist Peter “keys” Pisarczyk started that intro, and it was all over from there. It sounded just as good as when I heard them do it in 1976. Throughout the song a touching montage of all the deceased band members played on the backdrop video screen, continuing with previous band members and then present ones to end their set.
        The lights went out and after the short set change, Kid Rock hit the stage with a flurry of pyrotechnics and opened with "Rock N Roll Jesus," "Son of Detroit," "You Never Met a MFLM" (sorry, can’t use those words in the paper), and running right into "Just American Badass." Next was "Lowlife," where he threw in parts of the Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" and created a little atmosphere by showing Rock on the video screen smoking a cigar, flashing a peace sign and grilling hamburgers. Then "Cocky" was next before his biggest hit from this past year, "All Summer Long," that got the crowd in a major sing-a-long. Next was "Amen," with the video screen now showing footage of hurricane Katrina. As he ended the song he said, “just turn to someone in the seat besde or in front of you and just say hello to them and shake their hands,” which all respectfully did. Rock then sat down at the piano and played "Cowboy." In the middle he stopped and said, “let’s get a little hillbilly!” and broke out "Good ole' Boys" with the beginning of the Dukes of Hazzard playing on the video screens. Rock then went into "Wastin’ Time" and "Picture" where he went up to the DJ table, lit a cigar and started rocking out by himself, before ending this with a shot of Red Stag (who are sponsoring the tour). For his final songs Rock played "3 Sheets," "So Hot" and another crowd favorite, "Bawitdaba," which went on for like 7 minutes or so, with Rock running around full force and still full of energy. It was an awesome show and I would recommend everyone to see Kid Rock someday. He kept the crowd with him the entire show, was highly energetic and a great performer. I would also recommend everyone to see Lynyrd Skynyrd as well. And they’re actually getting ready to start their own headlining tour shortly, so if you can make it, catch them!
– Gary Crouthamel, concert photo journalist
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