Earlier this year, I found out that Lynyrd Skynyrd was not going to tour after this year. The Farwell Tour was called Last of the Street Survivors. I have never been to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. Actually, I have never been to a concert as an adult. Yes, I know, I have lived a sheltered life. I started looking for a venue close so I could see them. I quickly saw that tickets were not cheap.
A couple of months ago, Tracey surprised me with Lynyrd Skynyrd tickets in Nashville. Opening for them was Bad Company. So I was doubly stoked. I have always liked Bad Company. The concert was going to be held at the Bridgestone arena in Nashville. Before the concert, we got an email telling us that Jamey Johnson had been added to the tour. I am also a big Jamey Johnson fan.
On the day of the concert, we arrived early and it was a good thing we did. To say there was a bunch of people is an understatement. Walking into the Bridgestone arena, I was amazed with what all they offered. There were several restaurants inside the arena. That is a good idea. The only down side is the food is expensive. However, it was very good. Tracey wanted to get us T-shirts. She got a Bad Company and got me a Lynyrd Skynyrd Farewell Shirt. I had to take out a small mortgage to get them. Ouch.
There was an itinerary included with our tickets. I have to say that the three performers stayed on the schedule. Also, each performer did not take up a lot of time between songs. They went from song to song. The lights went down and the concert started…..
Jamey Johnson
I have to say that I was very impressed with Jamey Johnson. He opened the show with “Keeping up with the Jones.” Jamey played some of his hits as well as playing tributes to George Jones “Still Doing Time”, Jerry Reed “East Bound and Down”, Lynyrd Skynryd “4 Walls of Raford” and Tony Joe White “Rainy Night in Georgia.”
Each performer had a song that they wanted the audience to sing along with. Jamey’s song was “In Color.” He performed for 45 minutes. We really enjoyed it. I was able to get us tickets next month in Biloxi for a full show. I believe it is going to be good.
Bad Company was the next band to perform. They opened with “Ready for Love.” I have to say that they were a little off the mark with the first couple of songs. However, they did get back on track and their performance was good. Their audience sing along song was “Shooting Star.” Bad Company members are starting to show some age but they still give a heck of concert.
Bad Company
Lynyrd Skynyrd entered the Bridgestone Arena to a thunderous applause. The statement of “people lost their mind” is an understatement. They opened with “Working for MCA.” I have never seen the light show, applause and loudness when they started performing. We were sitting on the 2nd (2nd roll) elevated section in front of the stage. You could feel the bass drum.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
When they performed “That Smell”, it took me back to my childhood. However, I have to say that “Simple Man” brought chill bumps. “Simple Man” was their audience’s sing along song. It was unbelievable the sounds of the entire building singing that song. I imagine that Ronnie Van Zant was smiling down from Heaven.
Skynyrd played for about 2 hours, nonstop. We really enjoyed ourselves. A friend of mine, Michael Prather, saw them the previous night in Pelham, Alabama at the Oak Wood Amphitheater. That concert was Marshall Tucker, Hank Jr. and Skynyrd. He sat in the cold rain for that show. That is a true fan. He also told me that Skynyrd played for 2 hours there.
There are still some dates left on the tour. If you get a chance, we highly recommend that you see Synyrd before they retire.
Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He is a Consultant for Southern Heritage Gun & Pawn in Tuscumbia. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon, Kobo Writing, as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is a Senior Investigative Reporter for the Quad Cities Daily. Bobby is the Photographer for Continental Championship Wrestling.
