Lynyrd Skynyrd Lives On

With their first set of new studio material since 2003’sVicious Cycle, legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd returns with God & Guns, due out September 29 onLoud & Proud / Roadrunner Records. Recorded in Nashville in 2008-2009 with noted rock producer Bob Marlette, input from guitarist John 5, and a wealth of material written by the band and a cadre of elite Skynyrd-minded songwriters, a remarkable album emerged.

With a backbone of Southern rock and country, passionate Van Zant vocals, and trademark layered guitars, God & Guns manages to maintain the iconic Skynyrd punch while sounding completely contemporary. Sure to attract attention in these politically divided times is the title track, which harbors a sense of menace and unwillingness to back down that hearkens back to Skynyrd’s earliest days. God & Guns, along with the unmistakable Skynyrd bite of the first single “Still Unbroken,” which was shipped to rock radio this July, form thematic songs for an album laden with attitude, heart and purpose.

The band knows the song, and others like “That Ain’t My America,” will have their critics, but Medlocke says listeners should get beyond the titles.

“Skynyrd’s about tradition,” says Medlocke. “In this record is personal tragedy, personal relationships and being on the road, all under that umbrella of real life. That’s what we think, that’s what we believe, and we stand next to that title, God & Guns.”

Beyond the tragedy, the history, the raging guitars and the killer songs, ultimately, Lynyrd Skynyrd is about an indomitable will. About survival of spirit; unbowed, uniquely American, stubbornly resolute.

“A lot of people probably expected us to say enough is enough,” admits Medlocke. But that would not be the way of this Rock & Roll Hall of Fame powerhouse.

“We wanted to show the people that not only are we doing the old material, keeping the music going, but we still have some new tricks up our sleeves, too,” says founding guitarist Gary Rossington.

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations, andGod & Guns is a fitting addition to the canon. The Skynyrd Nation awaits.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be wrapping up the co-headlined, 22 city Rock & Rebels Tour with good friend Kid Rock in late August, while continuing on their own headline tour into Fall.
**Skynyrd headline dates not with Kid Rock / Tour dates are as follows:

7/24/2009	Time Warner Pavillion @Walnut Creek	Raleigh, NC
7/25/2009	Verizon Wireless Music Center	Virginia Beach, VA
7/26/2009	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre	Charlotte, NC
7/29/2009	Comcast Center	Mansfield, MA
7/31/2009	Hershey Park Ampitheater	Hershey, PA
8/1/2009	Nissan Pavilion	Bristow, VA
8/2/2009	Jones Beach Amphitheatre	Wantagh, NY
8/13/2009	Mid-America Center	Council Bluffs, IA **
8/14/2009	Illinois State Fairgrounds	Springfield, IL **
8/15/2009	Spirit Bank Event Center	Tulsa, OK **
8/18/2009	The LC Pavilion	Columbus, OH **
8/21/2009	Meadowbrook – US Cellular Pavilion	Gilford, NH **
8/22/2009	Comcast Theater	Hartford, CT **
8/28/2009	Fort McCoy Army Base	Sparta, WI **
8/29/2009	Minnesota State Fair	St. Paul, MN
9/7/2009	Inn Of The Mountain Gods Casino	Mescalero, NM **
9/8/2009	Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre	Tuscon, AZ **
9/9/2009	Celebrity Theatre	Phoenix, AZ **
9/11/2009	Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa	Kelseyville, CA **
9/12/2009	Fantasy Springs Resort Hotel & Casino	Indio, CA **
9/13/2009	Los Angeles County Fair Grounds	Pomona, CA **
9/15/2009	The Mountain Winery	Saratoga, CA **
9/17/2009	Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino	Lemoore, CA **
9/18/2009	Ironstone Vineyards Amphitheatre	Murphys, CA **
9/19/2009	Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa And Casino	Henderson, NV **
9/20/2009	Sandia Casino	Albuquerque, NM **
10/30/2009	Coushatta Casino Resort	Kinder, LA **
10/31/2009	Moody Gardens	Galveston Island, TX **