No matter what comes around, we love to be out playing for the fans. “Merle Haggard was once asked, ‘Why do you do this? You don’t need to do this.’ He said, ‘I’m a musician, this is what I do – I play.’ That’s what we are. “Being locked down brought a big perspective of how much I missed the band and the fans and not to ever take it for granted,” said Medlocke. The legendary rockers picked up right where they left off, drawing over 23,000 music fans ready to cut loose and sing along to everlasting classics like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Simple Man,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “What’s Your Name,” “Call Me The Breeze,” “You Got That Right,” self-proclaimed signature song, “Free Bird,” and more. The band’s first show back in over 15 months saw them headlining the opening night of the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach. We’re still standing, still keeping the music going.” And maybe it’s our time to lift people’s spirits and lives and bring back some joy and happiness after so much turmoil this past year.

And since that time, we have been talking amongst the band, and realized that music has such a way of healing. Rossington added, “COVID turned our world upside down. A Skynyrd show is a family affair, and we want these dates to help heal our fans as much as ourselves.” Music is a great healer, and that’s what we all turn to when things are good or bad. “Once something is taken away from you - music and touring in our case - you truly realize how important it is and such a part of your life. “We were two shows into the end of the three-year plan for the farewell tour, when the virus hit and everything was just gone,” said Van Zant. Original Lynyrd Skynyrd member Gary Rossington, lead singer Johnny Van Zant and lead guitarist Rickey Medlocke delivered a personal message to their fans about the band’s touring plans, which can be seen below: The initial 30 dates run coast to coast and border to border through November 19. Over 15 months since their last date together, the Southern rock icons aren’t quite ready to say “farewell.” They are back and ready to hit the road on their Big Wheels Keep On Turnin’ Tour. June 19 - Ft.Lynyrd Skynyrd was well into the Last Of The Street Survivors Farewell Tour, when the worldwide shutdown forced the band - and all musicians - off the road. June 13 - Forest City, IA Country Thunder Iowa Lynyrd Skynyrd performed their first show since the start of the pandemic this past weekend, headlining the opening night of the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida. “And maybe it’s our time to lift people’s spirits and lives and bring back some joy and happiness after so much turmoil this past year.

“Covid turned our world upside down. And since that time, we have been talking amongst the band, and realized that music has such a way of healing. Maybe it’s not our time to go,” Rossington said. The group’s core members - founding guitarist Gary Rossington, singer Johnny Van Zant, and guitarist Rickey Medlocke - spoke about their decision to remain a touring act in a new video interview. After the pandemic derailed Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, the venerable Southern rock band are resuming and rebranding their trek: The Big Wheels Keep on Turnin’ Tour kicks off June 13th and includes 30 dates into November.

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