Skynnyn Lynnyrd: ‘Free Bird’ takes flawless flight in Tahoe

Tahoe Onstage
One More From The Road: Skynnyn Lynnyrd rocks the MontBleu Theatre at Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe Onstage photos by Conrad Buedel

The MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa showroom was transported back to the 1970s on Sunday night as cover bands ZZ Tush and Skynnyn Lynnyrd rocked the house.

Skynnyn Lynnyrd is a Vacaville, California, band dedicated to keeping the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd alive and strong. Its members Tahoe Onstagehave played together for more than 11 years, perfecting every note of music and the stage moves of the great Lynyrd Skynyrd band. They truly bring the band back to life.

Larry Woodruff is the bandleader and does a great job channeling Ronnie Van Zant. He has the look down perfectly, sporting a long blond wig,  a wool Western gambler hat with snakeskin band, a “Live at the Fox” T-shirt, jeans and, of course, Ronnie’s trademark bare feet. Every member of the band is committed to studying and learning the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd songs so they can perform them better than any cover band. Mission accomplished!

Brad Andersohn is a ball of energy on guitar as Gary Rossington. The guitar trio is completed with Chris Durham as Ed King and Jason Miller as Allen Collins. Both Durham and Miller have the perfect look for their roles. Curt Posthuma plays bass in the position of Leon Wilkeson. Mike Klepic is on keyboards, while Billy Powell and Wade Olson laid down the beat on drums.

Frontman Woodruff noted: “You can’t do a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute without the back up singers!” Meet “The Honkettes,” Brad’s wife, DebraLee Andersohn and Heather Rose. Together, they revive the songs and look perfectly.

Skynnyn Lynnyrd opened with “Workin’ for MCA” and the killer Skynyrd guitar riffs. That set the tone for the crowd that danced in the open space in front of the stage. The band also covered many of Skynyrd’s biggest hits, including “Saturday Night Special,” “I Ain’t The One,” “Whiskey Rock-A-Roller,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “That Smell,” “Needle and Spoon” and “Don’t Ask Me No Questions.”

Of course, the finale was “Free Bird,” with Woodruff firing up the crowd like Van Zant, yelling: “What song is it you want to hear?” The crowd went crazy as Skynnyn Lynnyrd played the full version flawlessly.

ZZ Tush opened the party with a great tribute to ZZ Top. They even broke out a fur-covered guitar and bass as a tribute to Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill.

 — Conrad Buedel

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ABOUT Conrad Buedel

Picture of Conrad Buedel
Conrad Buedel was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He moved to Nevada in 1987. Conrad is a professional writer and photographer in the Lake Tahoe area.

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