Calgary-based Free Byrd, an authentic 10-piece Lynryd Skynryd tribute band will perform Dec. 16 in Innisfail.
Together for the last two years, the group is made up of musicians with 15 to 20 years experience.
“I always say we are Canada’s most authentic,” said lead vocalist Waylen Van Zant, who said there’s no relation between him and the lead singer of the original 1970s southern rock band, Ronnie Van Zant.
“We run the gamut of looking like the performers and breaking down the music to do it like they did,” he said of a honky-tonk sound particular to Lynryd Skynryd.
“The band played down south — there is a certain way they speak, the way they play.” He said Free Byrd will spend four to five hours on a song, trying to fine-tune the sound.
“The 10 of us live and breathe it,” he said of the group that has gone through a few players that just couldn’t commit to honing in on the one particular band.
The pianist, Howard Bedient Powell, is from Texas and comes up for most of the year to perform with the group.
“When we heard him, we knew he had the sound we were looking for.”
Besides keying in on the sound, the group dresses like the original band, right down to the feet.
“I do it barefoot just like Ronnie did. I can’t do it with shoes on anymore. You start to feel the music come off the ground after awhile,” he added.
The group is finishing dates for the year, having played steadily on weekends since February and being booked solid for the last four months.
They were in Innisfail Sept. 16 and played their typical two-set, concert-style show, performing 22 songs.
“It was a packed audience. We were received really well. I hope we get that again.”
He said top songs such as Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird are songs most people are familiar with, but added Lynyrd Skynyrd, a band together for four years, has a full repertoire of strong songs.
“They were together for four years and they have so much good music.”
Three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a plane crash in 1977. Surviving members re-formed with Ronnie Van Zant’s brother, Johnnie, in 1987, and a version of the band continues to tour and record.
The show starts at the Zoo Dec. 16 at 10:30 p.m.
