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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 17, 2006 Skynyrd rock wows amphitheater crowd Southern rock survivors Lynyrd Skynyrd found plenty of fans lurking in the wilds of Southern Oregon Wednesday night. On a perfect balmy evening at the Lithia Motors Amphitheater, the band rocketed through nearly an hour and a half of nonstop music, kicking things off with "Working for MCA" and winding up with ... OK, you know what they wound up with. One especially dedicated enthusiast in the crowd in front of the stage waved a large Confederate flag throughout the show, but his stars and bars were dwarfed by the lighted backdrop that displayed the Stars and Stripes as the band cranked up "Red, White and Blue." As the song ended, the backdrop switched to a montage of U.S. military service emblems. That brought the crowd to its feet, and the momentum built from there. Frontman Johnny Van Zant belted lyrics into a microphone draped with another U.S. flag, until he replaced it with a Confederate one for the band's signature "Sweet Home Alabama." Advertisement Van Zant told the Mail Tribune in an advance interview that the band was "good and tight," and he wasn't exaggerating. The distinctive three-guitar attack of Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke and newcomer Mark Matejka, a transplant from the Charlie Daniels band, rocked sweet and hard, often in unison, through many Skynyrd favorites. "That Smell," "What's Your Name," and "Gimme Three Steps" had the audience singing along with frequent encouragement from Van Zant. "Three Steps" segued seamlessly into "Call Me the Breeze." Veteran keyboardist Billy Powell was a highlight throughout, adding dazzling honky-tonk solos to an otherwise guitar-driven sound. He turned in an especially fine chorus on ... that final song. After an hour of solid music, the band left the stage, but the crowd wasn't fooled. After all, they hadn't played ... well, you know. A roadie carefully spread a Confederate flag on Powell's piano, then set down a large bronze eagle. The stage was set. The band returned for an extended romp through — you guessed it — "Free Bird," steadily cranking up the intensity straight through the final power chords. Mail Tribune Editorial Page Editor Gary E. Nelson can be reached at [email protected] . Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews