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Play some Skynyrd; Hall of Fame musicians to play at Fort Scott pub this weekend.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will come to town this weekend when legendary drummer Artimus Pyle, of famed rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, performs with other musicians at a local pub.
Pyle, 63, who was inducted as a part of Lynyrd Skynyrd into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, will perform with Steve Grisham, legendary guitarist of classic rock band The Outlaws and Ghost Riders, and special guests Six Guns South Band from Oklahoma, during a concert scheduled to take place from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Holmtown Pub, 206 N. National Ave.
Pyle said he is playing with a group of guys who are like a "big family" and were friends of the late Steve Gaines, a former member of Lynyrd Skynyrd who died in a 1977 plane crash of which Pyle was one of 20 survivors.
"I came to do a show with Steve's friends and band members," Pyle said. "I love music. I like to play smaller places, as long as it's a good, clean decent place to play and a good PA system. When I play for people, it brings back great memories."
Thirty-four years after the crash, Pyle said he had a chance to play with Grisham, who Pyle said was "a fine player."
The Saturday show is part of a tribute to Gaines and his sister, Cassie Gaines, as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant, all of whom perished in the crash. Road manager Dean Kilpatrick was also killed along with both pilots.
"People in the area should come and see the show, and not because of me, but because of the people in the show," he said. "They're the backbone of the musical community."
Pyle said he remembers the events of the crash vividly, "as if it were yesterday." He suffered several broken ribs, but still helped sift through wreckage and tend to injuries following the incident.
"There's not a single detail that I do not remember," he said.
Pyle said he is writing a book about his memories and the story of the crash that will be released later this year. He said he is the only survivor who remembers "every single detail." Pyle intends to dispel some rumors that have circulated over the years surrounding the crash such as one about drugs being on board the plane, which he said is not true.
He is also writing a book about how he got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Pyle attributes much of his success throughout his career to Van Zant, who he described as having great charisma and stage presence. He said he knew while performing with the band that they would be successful.
"I knew the band would be big," he said. "Ronnie Van Zant was like going on stage with Elvis. He was this incredible singer-songwriter who put this incredible band together. He is the reason I got into the Hall of Fame. Of course, there was the rest of the guys, but Ronnie was the man -- the leader, the writer."
Pyle said he always knew Van Zant was prolific and his songs were "special."
"Ronnie would be so glad that his music has touched so many people in a positive way," he said. "It's more than just the music -- it's about the soul."
Pyle continues to enjoy playing original Skynyrd classics such as "Gimme Three Steps," "Call Me the Breeze," "Sweet Home Alabama," and the southern rock anthem "Free Bird" to this day.
"They're all sentimental," he said. "I love every song."
Pyle was able to travel all over the world while a part of Lynyrd Skynyrd, often playing in front of thousands of people in stadiums.
"I got to play a lot of great music. I met a lot of great people," he said. "I've seen a lot of great cities."
Holmtown Pub owner Chuck Holmes said he has booked other shows at his establishment in the past, but "this is the first big one I've ever done" and he considers it a rare opportunity.
"This is someone who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," he said. "I probably won't ever have someone like that again."
Holmes said the idea for the concert originated when he talked to a friend who knew Rusty Knight, the lead singer and guitarist for Six Guns South. Knight is a friend of Grisham, originally from Pittsburg, and Grisham knew Pyle and several other musicians who will be performing.
"I was introduced to Rusty and it led from there," Holmes said.
The small network of musicians has played with numerous other famous performers, he said.
Holmes said he is anticipating a good turnout.
Nearly 100 advance tickets have been sold out of the 200 that were originally available. Tickets are $18 prior to the show and $20 at the door, if available. Proceeds will go toward the cost of organizing the concert.
Following the show, there will be a meet-and-greet with the musicians. Autographs and photo opportunities will be available.
Other members of Six Guns South are guitarist and singer John "Moose" Moss, Knight, bassist and vocalist Mark Lockhart, pianist and vocalist Marc Marcano, and drummer and singer Justin McDugle.
For more information, contact Holmtown Pub at (620) 223-1477.