Tremont Music Hall Charlotte, NC
March 9, 2001

   where to begin..gayle and i arrived in charlotte around 5:00 or 5:30, found our way to the venue, which was actually easy to find. we pulled up and saw mark rogers standing outside.
we saw another familar face too, it was devi. i, somehow had misunderstood her and didn't think she would be at this show. anyway we talked for a few minutes to catch up. mark was at a van talking to some fellows, lo and behold it was our buddy joey.
he got out and hugged us and we talked to him for a few minutes. we were waiting for joannie and claudia to arrive, as i had gotten tickets for the 4 of us. they arrived a short time later, joannie introduced us to claudia, then we decided to go get a bite to eat.
we went to the spaghetti warehouse right around the corner from the venue. we had a very lite dinner, claudia wasn't quite well yet and we were all just really excited about the show and getting to see each other again and meeting claudia for the first time.

    we got back to the venue around 7:00. we sat in our cars as it was very cold in charlotte last nite. someone told us the gates would open at 7:30 and the doors would open at 8:00. we got in line around 7:15 or so and waited for the gates to open.
while we were in line, scott drove up. he came over to where we were standing and waited with us.

   we got inside the venue and went directly to the stage. left front of course, even though don wouldn't be playing tonite, but that was okay, because that was where johnny was. the name of the venue was the treemont music hall..the name should have been the treemont music hole. no one in our group drinks, good thing we don't, because i don't think there would have been enough al-ke-hall for us and everyone else too.
there was a guy who was standing behind me who kept saying "skynyrd's coming, "skynyrd's coming" he had consumed his share and someone else's share of al-ke-hall.
this place was SOO red neck. there were more hands around gayle and me than carter has liver pills. oh my gosh it was unreal!!! we felt like we were at cattle drive, being prodded, patted, and poked. to say the least, it was an experience!! john teeters, if you read this, the "ronnie want to be" we saw at coyote joe's last year was there. i don't think he ever sobered up from the last show!!
   the same band who opened for donnie and johnny in orlando, opened for them last nite too. it was another experience. finally it was time for the show.

they opened with oklahoma. they continued on with several songs from the new cd. i can't remember the entire set, because we were trying to enjoy the show AND keep the strange hands away from us!! the set was similar to the show in orlando though. this was mine and gayle's first time seeing johnny. he is absolutely fabulous as most of you already know. it was wonderful to see them perform together!!
don and danny were there too. they were standing on the side of the stage. danny came out on stage to play wide eyed southern boys and the breeze. that was awesome!! the crowd went crazy...well, crazier, 'casue they were crazy before the show started.

   there wasn't a meet and greet after the show, but we did have time to talk to danny for a few minutes before we left. we said our goodbyes to joannie, claudia, john, mojo and of course joey.
we left charlotte around midnight and got home around 1:30 this morning.
i bought a shirt at the show. it really looks good. the front is the picture from the cd and the back has the tour dates. i strongly suggest if you are even thinking about trying to make one of these shows..DEFINITELY GO!!!!

   When you think of Southern music, the first thing that comes to mind is families like the Allmans, the Caldwells and, of course, the most beloved of all, the Van Zants. One common factor among all these families is that they played great music and played it together. Friday, March 9, 2001 at the Tremont Music Hall, we saw the continuation of that tradition. Johnny and Donnie Van Zant were in town to showcase their latest brotherly effort, Van Zant II, which is a follow-up to Brother to Brother, released in 1998. The two surviving Van Zant brothers hit Charlotte, NC bringing their brand of Southern boogie to the people who have loved and followed them since the beginnings of both their careers and the people were not disappointed.

   The brothers were able to take a little time from Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special to bring this special collaboration to the people. If there was anyone who was not totally happy after this show, then something is wrong! The band backing these two musical heroes features some of the finest players in the south, including Erik Lungren (formerly of the JVZ Band), Jeff Flannery on guitars, Gary "Mojo" Hensley on bass, Bobby Capps (.38 Special) on keyboards and Michael Cartellone on drums.

   The show started with "Oklahoma" and had the crowd on their feet the whole way. The first thing you noticed was the look on the faces of both Donnie and Johnny, a look of pure joy and happiness. For me, it was a look I will never forget. They traded vocals and smiles the whole night. There were so many special moments that pictures can’t do them justice. They mixed the set list with songs from both their CDs. One highlight for me was “Downright and Dangerous" from Brother to Brother. This song is more fun live then I thought possible and it was so awesome to see them play it. “Rage” and “Right Side Up” were two more standouts. If that wasn’t enough, add in all the songs off the new CD: “You Got Blue”, “Livin' a Lie” and others and you would have had enough to say you were satisfied. But what did they do???

   They performed two songs they knew would send the crowd into a frenzy: “Wild Eyed Southern Boys” and “Call Me the Breeze”. Danny Chauncey (.38 Special guitar) was on hand, also. He took Jeff's spot and really made this all-star band shine even more brightly. Next, the moment we had heard about and only dreamed of for so long: the lights dimmed and two stoolswere brought on stage. The brothers took their spots and started singing a moving tribute to their musical hero and fallen brother, the late, great Ronnie Van Zant.

   This was the first time I had seen or heard "Brickyard Road" live and it is a memory I will keep with me for a lifetime. Ronnie's presence was felt in the room in the room and you knew he had to be so proud of his brothers. They changed the words a little to “Mama's in Heaven, Daddy's Doin' all right”. The look in their eyes told just how they felt at that moment. Jeff Flannery’s violin only added to the haunting beauty of this song. They took a short break, caught their breath and came back to finish the night with the Rolling Stones’ “Last Time”, Southern style and “Get What You Got Comin”. What a show and what an ending to a perfect night! I left the hall with my heart full of pride for what is so wonderful about the south: the music and the families who bring it to us.

Van Zant concert reviews--Charlotte show

   I am not sure where to even begin with these three reviews for the most incredible tour I have ever witnessed. The fact that this tour is even going on is a dream come true and even now having witnessed it for myself three times this weekend, it seems unreal.

    I found the Tremont Music Hall with no problem and couldn't believe how small it looked on the outside. I saw that the bus was around back in a fenced in area, so I tried the side door it was locked. I had wanted to see if they were doing a soundcheck, but was told when Mark came out, that I had just missed it. I imagine it had been closed to because of the locked door (boy, I am quick). About that time Lynn and Gayle drove up, and we talked a bit while waiting to find out the deal about this place. I was also happy to see again and get to talk more to a lady named Carol who is an old friend of .38 Special (meaning she has known them a long time, not that she is old haha). It was great to be able to talk to her and hear some of the wonderful memories she has of the lean years.

    Once we got inside it opened up into a big concrete warehouse like thing with a lot of steps around the walls going no where (go figure). I was told it usually books grunge type acts. Now on to the show. The Katies opened, and I must say they are very much into their music and it is all original material. John Livotti described their sound as Nirvana like...and he is pretty much right. I really enjoyed watching the drummer, barefoot and a very head down, Animal from the Muppets type guy. I felt they were well received for the most part by the audience at all shows. They were very respectful of the Van Zants and their audience.

    Now.....for the SHOW. I have never felt anticipation for a show like I did this one. The whole thing just seemed unreal and I couldn't even imagine hearing the songs from Brother to Brother, much less the new CD. They opened the show with Oklahoma and the song is even more powerful live than on CD (that is saying A LOT). I won't go into each song that was done, but the set list was the same Patti mentioned except for Is It For Real which for some reason has been removed from the set. There were many many favorite moments for me during this spectacular show, so I will mention a few. Donnie doing Livin a Lie. My Lord, the man put emotion into that song. He growled, howled and just SANG the heck out of that song. Johnny stood back for him during it. It is just something to see, not describe. Right Side Up (a big favorite of mine) is dedicated to Stevie Ray Vaughan and has so much FEELING in it. Downright and Dangerous is even more fun live than on the record and they guys really cut up on that one. In fact watching the interaction between Donnie and Johnny is just a privilege. The music is enough reason to attend the shows, but there is just no way to describe the obvious love and respect between these two men. Songs from the wonderful new CD (which is on sale both autographed and not at the show) include Heart of An Angel (Donnie has written possibly the most beautiful love song EVER with this one), At Least I'm Free, Baby Get Blue (way fun live), and Get What You Got Comin. If this doesn't make everyone buy the CD nothing will. Brickyard Road is done in the most emotional way that could have been possible, with just the two of them sitting on stools looking directly at each other singing, with Jeff Flannery accompanying on violin. There are no words to describe the emotion that was on that stage as well as out in the audience during the performance of this song. A tip of the hat is given to both fans of .38 Special and Lynyrd Skynyrd with performances of Wild Eyed Southern Boys (it is great to hear Donnie and Johnny have fun with this song, a personal favorite of mine and no doubt many of us .38 cheerleaders), and Call Me the Breeze (Donnie really looks like he is loving getting to do this one). The last song of the evening is appropriately, the Rollings Stones song "Last Time", with the boys changing the words at the end to "this WON'T be the last time". We can all pray it won't be, this is a show EVERYONE should get to see.

    A word about the musicians playing.
Bobby Capps on keyboards----he SMOKES on Call me the Breeze, just amazing. No surprise to us .38 fans, we know how good Bobby is. His backing vocals are always superb and on the money and his enthusiasm is there for the Van Zant tour as it has always been for .38. Bobby has worn an all black outfit that looks SHARP on this tour. I always loved the casual look, but this look really works.
Jeff Flannery on guitar----I cannot say enough about this young man (and he looks very young). He has fun every night he plays and it comes through, he just burns on the guitar, he ROCKS!! He and Donnie had some great interaction and Donnie picked with him constantly both pretending to, and actually kicking him in the rear a couple of playful times. But Jeff held his own, making faces, running into them, and picking right back. He was so enthusiastic and his violin piece is just beautiful during Brickyard Road. Jeff is a GREAT addition to the band, really exceptional, and I hope it is permanent.
Eric Lundgren on guitar----It was wonderful to finally meet this man. Having listened to Johnny's solo music for years, I knew well who Eric is and he still looks just the same. He is very thin and they call him Spiderman or Spider. He is a very gifted guitarist and a great back up vocalist too. Eric didn't want to come up front much, but when made to do so, always had a somewhat shy grin for the audience and for Donnie and Johnny. He seemed to me to be a musician's musician type guy, very serious and music minded.
Gary "Mojo" Hensley on bass----It was such a treat to finally get to see Mojo on stage. He reminded me of LJ, staying in the back and just performing. It was great to see him come front and center with Eric and Jeff to do a "triple threat" type thing. I wish I had gotten a photo of that. Mojo is such a humble sweet man. The man even rode a bicycle to rehearsals at this show.
Michael Cartellone on drums----Michael is a tireless, very professional, very GOOD drummer. I have seen him with Skynyrd a few times, and have always been impressed with him, but his work with the Van Zant brothers really showcased his professionalism. I was told Michael learned all the songs first, and was instrumental in bringing all the other musicians together. He was first at all rehearsals and even helped with some set up. Very down to earth man. This is a very well picked band and I hope with all my heart if and when there is another tour, we get these same men back.

    Road Crew----Mark Rogers is of course the Tour Manager, and what a busy professional man he is. Mark has always taken the time to be friendly and appreciative of the fans, and he is the man I know judge all others by in his profession. I mean if THIS man who does the work of several people every night can be respectful, why does anyone else have an excuse not to be?
Brian Evors--Stage Manager for Skynyrd----this is the first time I have had the pleasure of meeting Brian, who is Donnie and Johnny's first cousin, and he is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Brian took time to talk to me in between being busy, and I hope this won't be the last time I see him.
John Livotti---sound technician for .38 Special---I know those of us who have met John all know how nice he is, and I can tell you, he had to really be a genius to get the sound right in some of the places the Van Zant brothers have had to play at, rigging things to work the best he could. And somehow, it always comes out sounding perfect. John is the best.
David ----Skynyrd road crew, this gentleman I do not know a lot about, only that he had a great attitude, interacting with fans from the stage while getting it ready for the boys, and that Mark Rogers called him one of the best. And that is enough.
BC---whom I had never met, but many from the list know----this man was never still, and was very nice to talk to. It was clear he had been in the business for many years and there wasn't a lot he hasn't seen or dealt with. I want to give all these guys the utmost credit for making the shows I saw work and as wonderful as they were. We fans really appreciate all the hard work you do!!!!

    I have two more reviews to write for Myrtle (WOW), and for a tiny tiny place called the Lincoln Theatre, and those will be forthcoming for those who want to read more of this stuff...haha...two more unbelievable shows!!!!!! I am doing them a day at a time so look for the next tomorrow...haha...