Texas Music Awards

05/11/2024

This might help you think a little less about election woes.

27/10/2024

I’m not sure why, but I am really impressed with female NFL officials.

16/10/2024

I was listening to Dolly Parton singing Free Bird from her Rockstar album. It reminded me that fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd may want a rundown for the band’s past and present members. Here it is.

Lynyrd Skynyrd has seen many lineup changes throughout its long history. Here’s a breakdown of the key members, their roles, and the reasons they left the band. The list is separated into founding, past, and current members.

Founding Members:

1. Ronnie Van Zant (1964–1977) – Lead vocals
• Left: Died in a plane crash in 1977.
2. Gary Rossington (1964–2023) – Guitar
• Left: Passed away in 2023, the last original member.
3. Allen Collins (1964–1990) – Guitar
• Left: Paralyzed in a car accident in 1986, died in 1990.
4. Larry Junstrom (1964–1970) – Bass
• Left: Replaced before the band’s breakthrough. He later joined .38 Special.
5. Bob Burns (1964–1974, 1976–1977) – Drums
• Left: Left in 1974 due to stress from touring. Played in the 1976 reunion but left again.
6. Billy Powell (1970–2009) – Keyboards
• Left: Passed away in 2009.

Key Past Members:

1. Ed King (1972–1975, 1987–1996) – Guitar
• Left: Left in 1975 due to health issues. Rejoined in 1987 but left again in 1996 due to more health concerns.
2. Leon Wilkeson (1972–1977, 1979–2001) – Bass
• Left: Died in 2001.
3. Steve Gaines (1976–1977) – Guitar, backing vocals
• Left: Died in the 1977 plane crash.
4. Artimus Pyle (1974–1977, 1987–1991) – Drums
• Left: Survived the 1977 plane crash. Left in 1991 due to conflicts with band members.
5. Hughie Thomasson (1996–2005) – Guitar, backing vocals
• Left: Left to reform The Outlaws. Passed away in 2007.
6. Rickey Medlocke (1971–1972, 1996–present) – Drums (early), Guitar (present)
• Originally left to pursue a different musical direction. Rejoined on guitar in 1996.
7. Johnny Van Zant (1987–present) – Lead vocals
• Currently the lead vocalist after taking over following the band’s reformation in 1987.
8. Michael Cartellone (1999–present) – Drums
• The band’s current drummer.

Notable Session and Touring Musicians:

1. Dale Krantz-Rossington (1987–present) – Backing vocals
• Joined during the reformation period and is the wife of Gary Rossington.
2. Carol Chase (1996–present) – Backing vocals
• A longtime backing vocalist with the band.
3. Mark Matejka (2006–present) – Guitar
• Replaced Hughie Thomasson in 2006.
4. Peter Keys (2009–present) – Keyboards
• Joined after Billy Powell passed away.
5. Robert Kearns (2012–2017) – Bass
• Left to pursue other projects.

Departure and Cause of Leaving Summary:

• Many members left due to tragic deaths (Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell), while others left due to health or personal reasons (Ed King, Bob Burns, Allen Collins).
• Conflicts with other band members or management (Artimus Pyle) and desire to pursue other projects (Hughie Thomasson, Robert Kearns) also contributed to lineup changes.

Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to perform with a mix of legacy and new members, keeping the band’s music alive.

26/08/2024

A wonderfully musical friend of mine recently escaped a physically abusive relationship. I cannot tolerate people who do that stuff. Actually, I like dogs more than most people. Here’s my buddy, Buster.

21/04/2024

Ready. Set. Go.

09/04/2024

12/12/2023

https://v.cameo.com/e/GLuW3TnztFb

Lucky Boyd on Cameo! Cameo lets you book personalized videos from your favorite people.

28/04/2022

Howdy Friends of the TMA's and the ATM! Many of you I know, some of you I don't, but I'll be making myself as available as possible over this next year, as we prepare to relaunch the Texas Music Awards in their new home of South Padre Island, TX, in April 2023. I know a lot of you have questions and trust me, so do I. I also know many of you made up the volunteer group that created the legacy of the TMA's, and I promise you're still very much needed. I'll be posting a TMA specific email and redesigned website soon enough, but for now I'll check messages here and answer them as I can. The spirit and style of the Texas Music Awards served a broad spectrum of Lone Star artists, and it is our hope that there's still a sector of our state's historically creative music scene that will benefit from the activities of the Academy of Texas Music and the TMA's. More soon. Get excited. I sure am. ✌️❤️🎼
Mark Allan Atwood
Academy of Texas Music Board Member 2022
4-time TMA Recipient
Texas Music Artist (since 1980)

23/03/2020

*ONLINE CONCERTS*
Post upcoming virtual concert links below. We would love to see them!

13/03/2020

Which Texas events are cancelled or postponed?

14/02/2020

❤️ HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
Place nominations for the artists you love: TexasMusicAwards.org

13/02/2020

Nominations for the Texas Music Awards will end February 15, 2020. The program is not genre-centric, so all production categories do not have a genre requirement such as Country, Americana, or Rock, for instance.

Nominate while you still can: TexasMusicAwards.org

13/02/2020

Since 2003, many notable artists have taken home the Texas Music Award and have performed during our festivities. Some of these artists include Kacey Musgraves, Michael Martin Murphey, Lloyd Maines, Shake Russell, Hayes Carll, Pauline Reese, Michael Hearne, Wade Bowen, and much more.

Nominate now: TexasMusicAwards.org

12/02/2020

SINCE 2003 - what a history!

View past award recipients and place your nominations now! TexasMusicAwards.org

12/02/2020

Well, time is almost up for nominations for the Texas Music Awards, since 2003: TexasMusicAwards.org