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Post by ekforum on Nov 29, 2009 14:26:51 GMT -5
Q - Broke out the tribute tour video tonight and was wondering why you weren't playing on the softball team? Not to say you weren't a great manager, but I would have liked to see you put a couple over the fence!
I can't hit! My role was to kick dirt on the umpire. One of the few things I can do well.
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Post by ekforum on Nov 29, 2009 14:27:52 GMT -5
Q - I was wondering what were the travel conditions like before you're departure and during the reunion? I remember watching the Tribute video and seeing Gary and Dale in there own tour bus and the others in a Greyhound style bus? What was the reasoning?
I always a had a nice, comfortable bunk on a tour bus. Except the last two years where I had my own bus and never stayed in a hotel. Lived pretty much like the road crew lived...showered and ate at the venue just like regular folks. Except for the satellite TV* on my bus (wow, Rossington hated that), it was just like old times!
What Rossington DIDN'T know was that my bus LEAKED .... and leaked BAD. I had all of these large plastic sheets that I had rigged up in the interior...they were taped together to form a large FUNNEL that steered the water leaks into the shower stall! And while riding through Texas and New Mexico in mid-Summer, the A/C quit. Wow...it WAS just like OLD TIMES.
* it rarely worked but it really put on a good show.
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Post by ekforum on Nov 29, 2009 14:28:26 GMT -5
Q - Did you ever sing background/back up vocals?
Leon and I always sang back up on several tunes. ALABAMA, SWAMP MUSIC, THE BREEZE, 3 STEPS, WORKIN FOR MCA.
If I could sing, I'd be dangerous.
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Post by ekforum on Nov 29, 2009 14:29:01 GMT -5
Q - We've all read the stories about the big "bash" for "Sounds of the South"/Al Kooper. Was that gig everything it has been made out to be? Did it really blow away the the execs when you did MCA like the stories say? That had to be one of the most significant gigs you ever played. I'd like to hear about it.
It's funny how there always seems to be that ONE IMPORTANT gig. The showcase at Richard's in Atlanta for the MCA execs was the one. We opened with WORKIN FOR MCA (Ronnie's idea) and had their rapt attention forever that night. Being into the music and 'at work' that evening, I don't recall too much more about it. I had no idea a showcase of that kind could move so many like it did.
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Post by ekforum on Nov 29, 2009 14:29:32 GMT -5
Though I didn't get Gaines' parts 100%, I SPENT MANY HOURS TRYING. I wouldn't think of playing a Collins part by improvising it. Yeah, I took liberties with Freebird ... but not until it had gone on FOR 5 MINUTES!!
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Post by ekforum on Dec 4, 2009 9:00:43 GMT -5
I'm watching McCartney on TV tonight, and he's talking about the Beatles playing at Shea Stadium, and not being able to hear themselves play from a combination of the screaming girls, and non-existent monitor system. I know sound technology had advanced by the time of your early Skynyrd days, but I was wondering if despite that, did you ever experience bad on-stage sound, and if so, how the heck does the band keep it together if they can't hear themselves?
Joe Barnes - "Sound on stage was the best in the house."
Ed - Sure was! As much as I miss the '50's, I don't miss the sound systems. (A 20-watt Bogen amp with a couple of Shure columns....if you were lucky.)
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