I say with my big ole Southern grin! I came to the old Shinedown board right after they did their remake of the great Skynyrd classi, "Simple Man" and gave my props to the band for a great version.

I then started discovering things about the band that really intrigued me and that was the fact Jasin Todd was married to Melody, Ronnie Van Zant's daughter and that Judy Van Zant had a lot to do with the band in the early days who is of course Ronnie's widow.

I'm older then many here as I go way back with Skynyrd from the beggining and knew a couple of them personally, I'm 48 years young. I was in a couple of bands in my younger days as a drummer, they were "The Curle Brothers Blues Band" and then "Grey Ghost".

Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I've become a huge Shinedown fan in my exploration of the band and love their music and not just that one remake. I absolutely Love their new CD and I think my very favorite new song is "Heroes" as it touches my soul as I have so many old heroes myself who are now ghosts and somewhere up above!

I come here as they call me an Engineer by profession, but my biggest hobby and love is I write from time to time for a Southern Rock publication, Down South Jukin and we have a new venture we're just starting. It's called Southern Fried Web Zine and it's an online type magazine for Southern Rock.

Bruce Wall who is a great person and whose very close to many of the older southern rock bands and who runs Down South Jukin is one of the founders along with Tamar who is the finest little petite defense attorney you've ever met and she lives in Baltimore. She really is a great little gal who loves rock & roll and it's also her passion as it is mine.

One of the first stories that came to my mind to write about is the story of "Shinedown" and their remaking of "Simple Man" and they ties Jasin Todd has to royal famil of southern rock, The Van Zant's. I personally know Judy Van Zant or Ronnie's Aunt.

I know the boys are so busy on tour right now with their great CD just released, that it would be impossible to speak with them, so I thought I would solicite their great fans for some input into the group and possibly some great stories about the band in general. I was really touched at the great fans the first time I came to the Shinedown board as everyone was very cordial and very friendly indeed. I will be hanging around for a while.

Fire away if you would like.

Later!

BTW? Speaking of that great remake and video it gives me chills whenever I watch it, which is over and over again as that's Melody herself towards the end as the beautiful young woman and that's their daughter or Ronnie's granddaughter that he never knew holding that painting and the painting is a portrait of Ronnie himself, that really gives me goosebumps when I watch it.


Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH5fc7D-8lk&mode=related&search=



Here is a brief shot of Melody as an infant in Skynyrds movie Freebird as Ronnie is holding her in the beggining:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3QCDd8UiMc&mode=related&search=


Make sure you click on the bottom right button to get the full screen affect!

Heck yes!

I saw that... cute little girl is Ronnie's granddaughter.. and the reflection in the mirror is his daughter..

Kinda left me feeling quiet.. wow.

-jms-