Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band that was fundamental in defining the term “Southern rock,” will headline the Loud & Proud Pre-Race Show powered by Texas Lottery for the Duck Commander 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, April 9, at Texas Motor Speedway.
Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform an hour-long concert on the frontstretch stage beginning at approximately 4:40 p.m. CT prior to the start of the Duck Commander 500 at 6:30 p.m. Fans can enjoy the concert from their seats or upgrade with the VIP pre-race pass for $79 that allows “mosh pit” access in front of the stage for the concert and Sprint Cup Series driver introductions.
VIP pre-race passes as well as individual tickets for the Duck Commander 500, which must accompany the VIP credential, go on sale Friday beginning at 9 a.m. The VIP pre-race pass is free for most 2016 season ticket packages.
Buoyed by more than 60 albums produced, over $30 million in sales worldwide and their treasured classic rock anthem songs “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird,” Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations since the band’s birth more than four decades ago.
Lynyrd Skynyrd has produced 13 platinum albums, paced by the five-time platinum compilation album “Skynyrd’s Innyrds” (1989), and numerous hit songs including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “What’s Your Name,” “That Smell,” “Saturday Night Special,” and “Simple Man.”
The band’s star-crossed legacy began more than four decades ago in Jacksonville, Fla., and then came to an abrupt halt for a decade as a result of the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines. The survivors re-formed on the 10-year anniversary of the crash in the form of a tribute band, but that quickly became a full-fledged renaissance of Lynyrd Skynyrd and reached its pinnacle with a 2006 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Lynyrd Skynyrd continues on with original member Gary Rossington (guitar), who is joined by Johnny Van Zant (vocals), Rickey Medlock (guitar), Mark “Sparky” Matejka (guitar), Michael Cartellone (drums), Johnny Colt (bass), Peter Keys (keyboards), Dale Krantz Rossington (Honkettes backing vocals) and Carol Chase (Honkettes backing vocals). In 2015, Lynyrd Skynyrd produced its latest CD, “One More For The Fans” (Loud & Proud Records, 2015), and CD/DVD set, “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd & Second Helping Live” (Eagle Entertainment,2015).
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s official website is www.lynyrdskynyrd.com. On social media, the official accounts are www.facebook.com/LynyrdSkynyrd for Facebook, @skynyrd on Twitter and www.instagram.com/lynyrdskynyrdmusic/ on Instagram.
The Duck Commander 500, NASCAR’s third-largest paying race, is part of a NASCAR doubleheader that kicks off the racing season at Texas Motor Speedway. The weekend also is highlighted by the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Friday, April 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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