I think that depending on who's asked, you'll get similar perspectives but a different set of answers from most anyone. That's what's great about enjoying and interpreting the music. I suggest that Gary has lived with this question for many years and I think he has addressed it best in the past and in the present. Can you imagine how many times he must have fielded this question over the years, from those in the music business and out of it, yet still remain so cool about it? Gary has also had to deal with the business end of it with past members and all the legal wrangling. It must be tough dealing with it as a business, but growing up in it since he was a teenager to age 60, he's learned to create and play music as his gift and life.

There's a guy who has dealt with phenomenal success more than once, personal struggles, and tragic loss. I thought it was very classy of Gary to mention and thank God for all the blessings he and the band have received over the years during Lynyrd Skynyrd's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. That is one humble and cool dude, man. I think there is a lesson in that for all of us. He knows that he's carrying on the spirit of the orginal band - but one thing is constant and that's change for all of us. Both Johnny and Ricky (played drums) were there in the beginning, knew the original band members, are living their dreams now, plus keeping the spirit of Skynyrd's music alive by playing the older songs and creating some new ones. I think if people aren't reminded of where they come from, they forget. When I hear an older song from the original band, it takes me back to a much simpler time around 1974 or '76. On the other hand, the new music that is put out now keeps things fresh AND introduces people to the music of way back when. I say keep playing the original songs and new ones. After all, nothing is the same. How could it be?

I was not really thrilled with a lot of the post plane crash music with the exception of Endangered Species until God And Guns was released. God And Guns blew me away. Then I staretd to go back to all of the other post plane crash albums and I have really grown to like and apprreciate all of them.

Last of a Dyin' Breed has not dissapointed me. The more I listen to Last Of A Dyin' Breed, the more I like it. Give the emusic a chance. Yes, it is different and not what Skynyrd used to be, but it is great music.

As far as the former members go, I would love to see some way to incorporate them into the current line up as they are all very talented and have a lot to offer. I do miss Artimus, Ed and Bob and I hope they return one day in some capacity.

You may have already seen it mark, but Johnny and Ronnie did a duet on a song the Ronnie era made. The "newer" Skynyrd recorded the song in the studio (it had only been played live), and lifted Ronnie's voice from tapes and placed it on.

This is from their "Twenty" cd...another good one.

Travelin' Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9F_DkkIKPs

Hey just to chime in here, I love Skynyrd old and new, there music is truly terrific. I can remember being a young kid and everyone would rush home after school and put speakers in the windows trying to outblast my friends seeing who had the loudest speakers playing Freebird studio version on Pronounced. Needless to say my sears and roebuck speakers bit the dust in a smoky kinda way
lol. I totally agree with carrying on .They are all musicians and what people forget at times is that these guys were musicians long before they were famous.So they are doing what they know and being true to themselves. They still play all the old tunes in concert,but honestly Johnny said it right " If we only play the music from the original recordings it will get stale," and writing new material and recording new music is refreshing. They arent always going to come up with Sweet Home Alabama part 2 or Freebird Part 2, But one of the newer songs I really enjoy is Voodoo Lake, it has that same Skynyrd sound, but in a smoky swamp type of feel to it that I love. Everything changes and cannot stay the same.If you truly think about it with the Street Survivors album if you listen to that compared to the first several albums each one was a change in progress.The first evolved into the second and so on ,
so had the band not experienced the Tragic Plane crash in "77,there music would be more now updated sound than then. And with
changes to technology for one amplifiers are better now than then, keyboards, footpedals have all evolved , and so has their music . Just don't want anyone to lose sight of the fact that Skynyrd is the best band I ever heard. I didn't get to be a True Skynyrd fan until my mom bought me Gold and Platinum , because she forgot I said Physical Grafitti lol and I'm Glad she did lol. take care everyone and I applaud The Skynyrd band for ALL their hard work. KEEP IT UP GUYS!!!