Recently some of Country Musics’ newest artist got together to pay homage to one of rocks greatest bands, LYNYRD SKYNYRD.  Going back to 1973 with the release of their first album “Pronounced leh-nerd ’skin-’nerd” they rose to world wide recognition.  They have become iconic and still are today.  Lynyrd Skynyrd still performs today to sold out crowds where ever they go.

Eric Church starts the album off with his version of  ” The Ballard of Curtis Loew” and really gets down with his southern soulful sound.   The song was first released on Skynyrds 1974 “Second Helping“.  The original version of the band only played ‘Curtis Loew’ one time on stage.They  were playing in a basement in some hotel and thought they would try it. They never played it again until the Tribute Tour with Johnny Van Zant.” The song can be seen as a tribute to African American blues-men and their influence on rock music. Eric really makes you feel the meaning of this song and gets you to understand the depth that was put into the tribute to the blues-men of the day.  The second song on the album is “Simple Man” by Randy Houser.  Randy lets it all out with his deep soul sound, taking it to new heights while keeping with the sound it was originally recorded with.  Uncle Kracker really lets loose with ” All I Can Do Is Write About It“.  With his gentle tone and feel for music and tradition, Uncle Kracker really does this song with heart and vision.  Shoot Jennings ( the son of Waylon Jennings) lets his families back ground shine through in his version of ” Call Me The Breeze“.  You can really hear the gift of music that his father the iconic Waylon Jennings passed on to him.  They way he takes the song and has all kinds of fun singing and playing are really felt in this song, the background of people is perfect and makes you feel like your at the Honky Tonk  having a great time listening to the band.  The new Outlaw of Country Music, Jamey Johnson lets his deep voice and bad boy sound out with “Four Walls Of Raiford“.  Jamey is know for his outlaw sound and acoustic guitar playing.  Jamey sings this song as though its his and really does the song justice ( no pun intended).  New comer Randy Montana lets it all hang out with ” Tuesday’s Gone“.  Randy’s version is absolutely incredible.  He really knows how to make you feel this song.  The Eli Young Band steps right in with “Gimme Three Steps” .  You can just hear the fun and excitement they are having while singing one of the great rock songs ever released.  Ashly Ray finishes off the tribute with her version of ” Sweet Home Alabama“.  Even though it is on the slow side, Ashly does a wonderful job with a classic Skynyrd song.

This group of country artist and the musicians on this album deserve great accolades for creating an incredible tribute to one of Rocks and Southern Rocks great bands.  The artist that sing on this album all put something of their own in these songs and you really can hear that.  The ” Sweet Home Alabama – The Country Music Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd” is the best tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd out there.