Here are two of the chats, (THANKS to RB for posting them!)... not sure where the first chat it is from!
Elwood,Indiana: With respect to your current bands, if this tour is as
sucessful as we fans hope, any chance to do another leg of Van Zant this
fall. Can't wait to see you in Chicago. Keep Rockin Kathy Rebuck
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: We're planning on videotaping
something
for this project. Skynyrd's got a bunch of shows to do...
Donnie: 38 Special's got about 60 shows booked, so who knows? It all
depends
on the timeframe. We're really busy bands.
florence,alabama: is there any possible way ya'll can do a concert in or
near
florence? would love to see a concert. i love you, johnny vickie
williams
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: If time allows. We're calling this
"testing the waters". We're throwing it out there -
Donnie: But we'd love to come down to Florence!
wallingford connecticut: i would like to ask johnny if he thinks artimus
pyle
will ever come back to play drums with the skynyrd band?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: I don't know. To be honest, maybe
when we
do a farewell tour.
Donnie: Skynyrd's drummer is going out live with us. He's one great
drummer!
vienna austria, europe: do you touring europe ?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: The album comes out March 6th, and
we'd
love to come play over there. We're both dedicated to our bands. If time
will
allow and the good Lord let's us breathe, we'll be there.
bobby florida: donnie i was wondering what jeff carlise is up to now?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: I think he's doing something with
NASCAR.
They do Rusty Wallace's number on guitars and sell them.
Orlando Florida: I'll be at the show Tuesday. Will you be doing any CD
signings there or at the Virgin Megastore?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: We really don't know yet (except
that
we're playing a show!). We may be doing something after the show.
Donnie: If you buy the CD, I'll sign it for sure. Throw it at me.
Jackson, TN: Everyone is waiting for the induction of Lynyrd Skynyrd to
the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. WHEN that happens - which members past and/or
present will it be? And who do you consider the "Original Members" of
Lynyrd
Skynyrd and who will accept for Ronnie?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnnie: Gary, Leon and Billy are the
original
members.
Comment from Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: We're thinking about
having
a recount -- we are from Florida, after all.
Elwood, Indiana: Have you heard how any of the shows are selling, I am
hoping
they are selling out. Kathy
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: They're doing ok. We're playing hard
days
(Tuesdays, Thursdays), but whoever shows up will have their a***s rocked
off.
Comment from Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Make an exception. Come to our
show.
We're making history in Disneyland.
Elwood, Indiana: Will you be having meet and greets after the shows, I
have
met you both individually, but who is the contact person if so. Plan on
seeing you in Chicago.
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: We're going to try to do it, we
haven't
worked it out. I love to do it. We're doing a whole bunch of shows in a
short
period.
Johnny: We're doing a signing at Warehouse Music in Jacksonville on
Wednesday.
White Plains, NY: Hi Donnie and Johnny...They say "three times a charm"
Can
we look forward to another collaboration again in the future??
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: We may be videotaping this and
putting it
out on DVD.
Donnie: There'll be another CD, we just don't know when. It took us two
years
to do this one because of the band schedules.
Johnny: It's a labor of love.
Elwood Indiana: Will Lacy get to catch any of the shows, I am sure he is
mighty proud.
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: My dad's 86, and the only place
we're
playing close to here is Orlando.
Donnie: He just turned 86, and has emphysema.
BRONX, NY: Do you ever get nervous before you get on the stage? What do
you
both do to prepare yourselves???
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: Anybody gets an adrenaline rush.
Donnie: I do a little prayer before I go out.
Valhalla, NY: Hi Donnie and Johnny... I would like to know who wrote
Heart of
an Angel and what was the inspiration behind that song. Johnny
absolutely
NAILS the vocals on this. It is a phenominal rock ballad for 2001!
Congratulations on the entire CD...it ROCKS from start to finish!
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: Donnie and Robert White Johnson and
Chris
Pelser wrote it.
Donnie: We always wanted to write a love song. When we were writing it I
wanted to sing it, but I couldn't pull it off. Thanks for the
compliment!
Baton Rouge, La: What do you think about the closure of the FreeBird
Foundation?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: I'm not sure, to be honest. I think
it's
been a great thing for the fans, and I wish it was still open, but it's
not
in my hands.
Donnie: I'm really proud of what they did with it. They built a park in
Lake
Asbury in memory of Ronnie that has anything you can imagine for kids.
I'm
sure he'd be very proud.
Comment from Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Melody and Tammy had a lot to
do
with it too.
Johnny: Maybe it'll come back around.
Detroit, Michigan: Is there any chance that the two of you will
collaborate
sometime with your cousin, Jimmie?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: Jimmie's actually asked me that.
It's
just matter time.
Donnie: We did something with him years ago, and the deal fell short.
There
just aren't enough hours with three bands!
Westland, Michigan: When will be be seeing a new album from 38 Special?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: We're working on it right now. We
just
did a soundtrack for a movie called "Supertroopers" on Fox Films. It
should
be out in about 3-4 months.
NH: I am a long time fan, over 25 years and counting. Are you guys
planning a
full on joint tour??? I would love to see that happen.
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: We have the same management now
(Vector
Management). I'd love to do that, if Johnnie could pull the strings.
Westland, Michigan: Johnny did a duet with Ronnie on the Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Twenty" album by taking Ronnie's vocals from a recording of Travelin'
Man.
Have the two of you given any consideration to doing the same type of
thing
together so that all three of you could be on the same recording?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnnie: We thought about that. There's a
couple
of old songs that haven't been put out.
Donnie: Ronnie started some songs. If the people in charge allow us to,
maybe
we can finish writing them off.
atlanta, GA: What is your relationship like with Ronnies widow? Are you
still
moving forward with Lynyrd Skynyrd?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: WE've never been that bad off with
Judy.
I think she wants to see Skynyrd keep going.
Donnie: Judy offered us her studio for free, which we really
appreciated.
Port Arthur, Texas: What do you think of today's music compared to the
vintage rock and roll of the 70's?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: I like anything that's got a heart
and
soul to it. People are tired of doom and gloom, which is why our bands
are
coming back. Classic rock is definitely back right now.
Shady Spring, WV: Will you guys be performing Brickyard Road on the
upcoming
tour?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: Yeah we will be. We're doing a
different
rendition of it.
Donnie: It's totally different, and we're excited about it.
Philadelphia, PA: Donnie, The song "Second Chance". Was that based on a
true
story? What was the "crime" and who was the song for? Did she forgive
you.
:-) GTG
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: Yes, it was a true story. That song
was
on the shelf for I don't know how many years, and when Max Carl joined
the
band he loved the song and rewrote the chorus. It's one of the biggest
songs
38 Special ever had.
Fleetwood, PA: How is it that 3 men from one family could be so talented
and
SO HANDSOME?????
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: The water.
Johnny: It was play the music or go to jail. Where we grew up was the
tough
side of town, and music saved us. Thanks for the handsome thing.
Fleetwood, PA: Hey Donnie, what else will you sign if I throw it at
you??? HA
HA Karen H
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: I think I've had everything in the
world
thrown at me. I can't wait to see!
South Windsor,CT: I like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Johnny and to thank
him for
taking the time to say HI to all the fans during the picnic in
October.We had
to run to go see Donnie's band that day though.
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: That was a good time out there.
Saint Louis, Missouri: What do you think of Napster, the online file
sharing
system? Do you think there is a future for music to be released over the
Internet?? RTS
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: I have strong feelings on this. When
you
write a song it's your creation. Unfortunately we live in the land of
hte
free, but nothing's for free. I can't walk into Wal-Mart and walk out
with a
pair of pants.
Donnie: It's our livelihood.
lakeland, fl: Hi, been to 7 of your shows..why do we not hear curtis
loew /
simple man ..seems these are never played ?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: Actually a couple of years ago we
played
Simple Man, and did Curtis Loew when we opened for ZZ.
Donnie: With us, we have so many albums out that it's impossible to do
everything.
Johnnie: Skynyrd's thinking about "an evening with" in the future to get
to
all the songs.
Cataula, GA: Who or what are some of your biggest influences today, that
help
with your music? When you just start out, you have fresh memories that
drive
you, what helps as you get older or time goes by?
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: My biggest influence was Ronnie. He
was
more like a father to me, who got me into this.
Johnny: What keeps us going is love of music.
Donnie: There's nothing like walking up the steps of the stage and
hearing
people singing your songs. What a great life.
Phoenix, AZ: Do you guys still like to jam in the "hot house" in Jax!?!
Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Johnny: IT's not around anymore, but it was
very
hot.
Comment from Donnie and Johnny Van Zant: Donnie: The record is c oming
out
March 6th -- give it a listen and give it a chance! We feel very good
about
it.
Johnnie: Appreciate all the questions. God Bless. See you on the road.
Call
your local radio stations and request "Get What You Got Comin'"!
Welcome everyone! Tonight we're very proud to have with us Donnie and Johnny Van Zant!
HOST EMC Wasp: The brothers Van Zant have just released their latest CD, appropriately entitled "Van Zant II". Van Zant II is in stores now!!
HOST EMC Wasp: Without further delay, please help us welcome Donnie and Johnny Van Zant!
HOST EMC Wasp: First question...... what was different about working on this new album if anything?
DonnieVZant: Probably the time frame that we had, it took us about two years to do this one, Skynyrd did about 160 shows and 38 Special did about 140, so the Van Zant project had to be done two days here and two days there because of hte scheduling. Both bands were very busy but we got a great one!
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: How did you feel the show went last night for a opening night?
JohnnyVZant: I think for an opening night Donnie and I were guessing about what to sing... but we got it together and it was a great show... we're looking forward tothe next one!!
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Do you have any plans to release music videos from the new cd?
JohnnyVZant: We're actually thinking about doing a live CD with a DVD and
a VHS to go along
JohnnyVZant: it'll be in the near future
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Are the arrangements for songs on "Brother To Brother" and "Van Zant II" radically different live than the recorded versions?
DonnieVZant: Yes the order of them are different, when you are playing live it's totally different than when you are recording. When you are playing live you want to bring the crowd up high and low. I's kind of like a graph, you want to start off with a high point and go low and then go back up again.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: How did tonight's in-store appearance at Wherehouse Records at home in Jacksonville go?
JohnnyVZant: It went great... GREAT!! We saw alot of our friends we went to high school with and lots of fans and sold about 350 CDs so it was great!
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Are you guys gonna eventually do a full blown joint tour?
DonnieVZant: We are both very dedicated to our bands, those are coming to come first, if the timing allowed it we would love to it, we are doing about 9 shows on this tour (we are calling it the Testing the Waters tour)
HOST EMC Wasp: Speaking of the tour...
HOST EMC Wasp: Here are the current tour dates for the Van Zant brothers.
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 8 - Atlanta GA - Tabernacle
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 9 - Charlotte NC - Tremont
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 10 - Myrtle Beach SC - House of Blues
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 11 - Raleigh NC - The Ritz
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 13 - New York NY - B.B. King Blues Club
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 14 - Norfolk VA - Norva
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 15 - Pittsburgh PA - Metropol
HOST EMC Wasp: Mar 16 - Chicago IL - House of Blues
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Will there be a possible trio with you and Donnie as Johnny did with Ronnie?
JohnnyVZant: We're thinking about putting together a collection album and doing one of Ronnie's songs on it maybe on a VanZant record or a 38 special... maybe Lynyrd Skynyrd... we don't know which yet
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: The songwriting credits list Chris Pelcer. Who is Chris and what role did he play in songwriting? HOST ECH Queen: DF, thank you! :)
DonnieVZant: Chris is a real good friend of ours, he's from Australia and he writes songs out of Nashville . He is a great lyricist.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: I just want to say that Van Zant II ROCKS MY UNIVERSE! It has a real blusey rock edge to it! Was that the original concept of it or it just kind of went that way?
JohnnyVZant: We set out to write songs... we don't know what direction we're going until it starts . We had our friend Kenny Wayne Sheppard come in and play on "At Least I'm Free" so it definatly has a blues feel to it
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Who is in the band for the tour?
DonnieVZant: Jeff Flannery who is from Key West, Bobby Capps is on keyboards and plays in 38 Special We have Michael Cartleone on drums, we have Eric Lundgren on guitar and on bass we have Gary Hensley
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Who was the inspiration for Heart of an Angel?
DonnieVZant: You know we always just wanted to write a love song just honoring the girl, what better way to do it than say Holy is the Heart of an Angel.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: If the 'Testing the Waters' Tour goes well are you planning on adding more dates?.....like the West Coast??
JohnnyVZant: Again.. it just depends on the time frame with our bands . Lynyrd Skynyrd already has 72 shows schedulded so both bands are very busy right now . We already have about 60 shows booked with 38 Special so its going to be a bust summer for the both of us, but we'd love to do it when we can find time
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Any chance that Johnny will ever appear with .38 special?
JohnnyVZant: If they'll give me a gig I'll go!!
DonnieVZant: Johnny is actually going to be signing on this tour, he's
singing Wild Eyed Southern Girl with me.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Will you guys do any meets and greets after the shows for us to get autographs?..please please say yes
DonnieVZant: We are going to try to, this is a very hectic schedule for us and we don't know how soon after the show we ' will have to leave to get to the next town. We enjoy doing them, its just the time factor. We love doing them because we love meeting the fans, it helps us alot.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: What was it like the very first time you walked onto the stage as Lynyrd Skynyrd, I mean like were you thinking of Ronnie and do you continue to think about him every time you give us your awesome performances?
JohnnyVZant: The first time i walked on stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd I was scared to death.... I had no idea what the fans would think and how it would go but the fans loved it and of course... we think about Ronnie everyday
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: How is the experience of recording a specialty record like the "brothers" projects different from working with a full time band like Lynyrd Skynyrd?
DonnieVZant: We approach no differently than what we do with 38 or Skynyrd, it's whatever moves us emotionally and spiritually and if it affects us we hope that it will affect soneone else.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Do you see Van Zant developing into a full band with a regular lineup at some point? Or continue to use session players?
JohnnyVZant: I don't know what the future may bring but all the guys we
play with are great friends and we'd love
JohnnyVZant: to use them on future things
JohnnyVZant: we just love making music
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: How did the Stones song "Last Time" come to be included in the set list of the live show?
JohnnyVZant: We've always loved the Rolling Stones... we actually recorded that to be on brother to brother but it didn't make it.. we put it in storage . we have always loved the Rolling Stones though
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: How is Lacy doing?
DonnieVZant: He just turned 86 years old and he is doing pretty good. He was at our singing tonight in Orange Park at Wherehouse Music.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Can you tell us anything about your opening acts?
DonnieVZant: I think its going to be a different opening act in each town, so we are not sure who is going to be opening.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Is Jeff Carlisi ever coming back?
DonnieVZant: As it stands right now, no, Jeff is a great guitar player and we wish him all the success in whatever he puruses. Right now he is working with NASCAR
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: You've been playing a long time. What's your greatest music memory?
DonnieVZant: I think for me I have so many of them, last night was a great one getting to share the stage with Johnny. Also getting a gold record with 38 Special was a great memory for me.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: I hear you're doing a different version of "Brickyard Road" on this tour. Can you elaborate on how the live version differs from the original?
JohnnyVZant: We basically broke it down and it's not anything like the version on the CD Jeff Flennery does violin on it and it's just beautiful
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: The music business, in the past few years, has ignored music with Southern roots. Do you see that trend changing?
JohnnyVZant: It hasn't really hurt us that bad..... we've been going out playing and it's been the best years ever..... Van Zant is #22 on the RnR charts
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Are you familiar with the lost rebels and if so, do you know what they are doing in respects to Skynyrd?
JohnnyVZant: yes we're familar with them... they're a tribute band to Skynyrd and I don't know what they're doing right now but they're a cool band
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Any chance of a bare bones acoustic show?
DonnieVZant: No we are trying to rock it out here a bit, the closest thing that you will get to an acoustic show will be Brickyard Road. Who knows though... maybe in the future we'll do an unplugged record...
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: I saw "Standing in the Darkness" live back in the 80's when you were backup for Pat. It was very moving. Hope you will have the chance to sing it again.
JohnnyVZant: That was a great song.. one of the first I ever wrote ... hopefully in the future we can do that one again
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Why is Johnny wearing sunglasses in the cover photo...he never wears them with Skynyrd?
DonnieVZant: I think I wrote that song with him.
DonnieVZant: He had a tough night before! (laughs)
JohnnyVZant: The sun was really bright that day and it was bothering my
eyes so i put on sunglasses and the photographer
thought it looked cool so we used it
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Your music together and separately seems so "American," how well does your music do overseas, especially touring?
JohnnyVZant: For the Van Zant project we sold as many records overseas as we did in the states and for Skynyrd we go over there every couple years and it's great... it's cool being from the west side of Jacksonville and have people in Europe like us and know us
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: What is Donnie's and Johnny's most favorite part of the show?
DonnieVZant: 38 Special is planning on going over to Europe this year and
we are looking forward to it.
JohnnyVZant: Just being able to get up on stage with Donnie is a great
pleasure
DonnieVZant: It's just always been a dream come true for the both of us to
share the stage together.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: What other Southern Bands do you guys like???
JohnnyVZant: I like 38
DonnieVZant: I like Skynyrd
!
DonnieVZant: Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker, Warren Haynes, Gov't. Mule
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Does the set list change from night to night or stay pretty much the same?
DonnieVZant: Right now its basically the same, we've only done one show, it will probably end up changing here and there as we go along. You see what works and what doesn't work with a live audience.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Johnny, in all honesty, I would like to know WHY your band continues NOT to play your newer songs... there is a NEW generation out here growing up with YOU as the lead singer now and it is rare to hear your new music live. Gone Fishin, FLA and the entire Edge of Forever CD WAS FAB
JohnnyVZant: Thank you for that compliment!!
JohnnyVZant: It's just that there's so many Skynyrd songs that are classics
JohnnyVZant: We have been doing workin and preacher man now
this summer we might throw some new stuff we're writing right
now into the set to see how the audience likes I
it
... again.. thank you for the compliment!
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Do you envision some vocal trade off's on some upcoming new material like Ronnie and Steve Gaines got into on Street Survivor's..maybe say with Rickey?
JohnnyVZant: Me and Rickey did some live stuff together..... if he lets me play the guitar I'll let him sing on the christmas record I did a duet with Dale Rossington and there was duet stuff on Run Rudolph Run
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Do you ever see Allen Collin's daughters and what are they up to?
JohnnyVZant: They still live in the Jacksonville area and from what I hear they're doing just fine
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Donnie, how's your ankle after Folsom?
DonnieVZant: It's doing great, I broke both my ankles about four times a piece so it's doing as good as it can be possibly be.
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: I know I am a week late, but Happy Birthday, Johnny
JohnnyVZant: awwwwww thank you!! I just turned the big 41
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Did Johnny quit smoking cigarettes and if so has he noticed a difference in his voice while singing?
JohnnyVZant: I've used everything to try to quit but still haven't been able to quit.. I'm sure it would make a big difference but it's my only vice
HOST EMC Wasp: Q: Not a "question"...but simply a "Thanks" for giving us great music...again guys..thanks!
JohnnyVZant: Thank YOU for listening!!
HOST EMC Wasp: Donnie and Johnny! Any last comments guys??
JohnnyVZant: We just hope people will enjoy Van Zant II..... come out and see us and call your radio stations and tell them you want to hear more!!! Come see us when we're near you!!!
HOST EMC Wasp: Once again, thank's Johnny and Donnie....and thank you all for coming! Don't forget to check out the latest CD "Van Zant II" and the Van Zant brothers on tour. You can keep track of all the latest at www.thevanzants.com. Thanks and goodnight!!
