FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/LATHUM NELSON

LYNYRD SKYNYRD TO RELEASE TWO-DISC

‘LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE’

JUNE 22 ON SANCTUARY RECORDS

As their “VICIOUS CYCLE” tour continues to move across America, LYNYRD SKYNYRD announce the release of their new double live album titled LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE, due June 22 on Sanctuary Records. The two-disc set features the band’s triumphant show before 17,000 heartland fans last July 11 at the AmSouth Amphitheatre in Nashville.

“Live shows are really what this band is about,” says the band’s founding guitarist GARY ROSSINGTON. “We love to play live, there’s nothing else like it. We don’t know anything else to do. We got it down now, people are enjoying it so were enjoying doing it for ‘em.”

Performed on a stage made up like a mock whiskey still with wooden kegs strewn all about, LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE’s 19 songs kick off in a big way with the roar of ”That’s How I Like It,” a strong new tune from last year’s VICIOUS CYCLE(Sanctuary Records) that packs a pounding, visceral wallop.

Highlights abound on LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE, including the addition of a string section on such classics as “Tuesday’s Gone,” “The Way” and Freebird,” plus a horn section on several tracks, including “What’s Your Name” and “Call Me The Breeze.”

The rocking “What’s Your Name” features a fiery solo by the maniacal guitarist RICKEY MEDLOCKE. HUGHIE THOMASSON smokes his six string on the intro to “I Know A Little,’’ and soon MEDLOCKE’s searing slide solo falls into ROSSINGTON’s wicked break–his warm, liquid tone is to die for and his phrasing and left-hand vibrato deadly.

While the band’s secret weapon is long-time member, pianist BILLY POWELL, who plays perfect fills and aggressive solos as he pushes the tunes higher and higher, the ringleader is JOHNNY VAN ZANT, who sings with power and conviction to the crowd like they were family friends over for a BBQ.

Fancy guitar licks fly on “I Know A Little,” and the emotional “Simple Man’’ hits hard, while last year’s hit radio anthem “Red White & Blue’’ is a moving moment, stocked with country, common man themes–the same as they’ve been singing since day one.

“Gimme Three Steps” is a guitar party straight from Jacksonville, with rhythm section members EAN EVANS (bass) and MICHAEL CARTELLONE (drums) digging deep, wide grooves. Classic tune “Free Bird” is pure drama. POWELL and ROSSINGTON raise a million goosebumps in the sweet sentimental intro, VAN ZANT hits home during the powerful verse, and the entire band shows power in the majestic double time triple guitar outro. The sheer intensity and overall sense of abandon is breathtaking.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD—who celebrated their 30^th Anniversary last year with 1.3 million album sales (a combination of VICIOUS CYCLE and classic catalog units)–sound fresh and renewed while still staying true to their roots. Not just going through the motions, they nail the material, and play with passion and conviction–all while having the time of their lives. VAN ZANT recognizes the powerful role the audience plays at shows, stating “I attribute the success of the band to the fans–my hat’s off to them.’’ 

Meanwhile, ROSSINGTON was quoted in USA TODAY’s recent cover story about classic rock bands that attract teenage crowds (3/30/04), telling the paper’s Edna Gundersen: “We started out appealing to the working-class blue-collar audience, and now we see their kids at our shows…They know the words to every song, old or new, and they know our whole history…I hear from younger fans who learn about us from the Internet or VH1 or their parents or maybe something Kid Rock said about us.”

The 19 tracks of LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE are a testament to free spirit, survival and timeless tunes that have now become a part of Americana.

“VICIOUS CYCLE” tour dates available at www.lynyrdskynyrd.com.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE track listing:

Disc 1

 1. That’s How I Like It                                                   

 2. What’s Your Name                                                    

 3. I Know A Little                                                          

 4. Pick ‘Em Up                                                               

 5. Simple Man                                                             

 6. That Smell                                                      

 7. Red White & Blue                                                     

 8. Down South Jukin’                                                   

 9. Gimme Back My Bullets                                     

10. Double Trouble                                                        

11. The Ballad Of Curtis Loew                                       

12. Tuesday’s Gone                                                       

13. Mississippi Kid                                                        

Disc 2

1. Workin”                                                                         

2. Gimme Three Steps                                                   

3. Call Me The Breeze                                                    

4. Sweet Home Alabama                                       

5. The Way                                                                       

6. Free Bird                                                                     

For more information about LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE and VICIOUS CYCLE, visit www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com.

###