From all of us here at Ean Evans.com
We'd like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas!
Jesus is the reason.
God Bless you all,
Ean, Eva, Sydney & Andrea
|
3 Doors Down and Friends
Raise over $100,000 for
The Better Life Foundation
All star jam of the Skynyrd classic "Sweet Home Alabama".
left to right: Todd Harrell (3DD bass), Johnny Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd lead), Tracy Lawrence,
Brad Arnold (3 Doors Down lead), Matt Roberts (3DD guitar), and Ean Evans (Skynyrd bass).
Photo credit: Douglas Sonders
BILOXI, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 2004--3 Doors Down along with a little help from their friends raised over $100,000 on Saturday night December 18th at the dinner concert and auction for The Better Life Foundation (TBLF). The event, hosted by comedian T. Bubba Bechtol, took place at the Grand Casino Theater in Biloxi, Mississippi and featured (in order) performances by Darryl Newton, Shinedown, Tracy Lawrence, 3 Doors Down and members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Each artist performed a 5-6 song set before joining Lynyrd Skynyrd on stage for an all out jam of the Skynyrd classic "Sweet Home Alabama" that left the 1500 seat audience standing on their chairs in awe.
Along with the support of various companies and individuals who purchased dinner tables or donated raffle and auction items, the main corporate sponsors for the event included the Grand Biloxi Casino and AIG- American General Insurance. 3 Doors Down made a special presentation during the evening to AIG-American General for their continual support to TBLF since its inception.
The auctions of the evening brought in close to $50,000 from a variety of items- including autographed guitars from Kiss, Michael McDonald, Garth Brooks, 3 Doors Down, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger and Metallica, a KFC Dale Earnhardt, Jr. uniform (worn at one race), an autographed helmet and jersey from NFL great Brett Favre, autographed model car from NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, various 3 Doors Down concert getaway trips, and Dave Matthews, Lenny Kravitz and Ben Harper signed memorabilia to name a few. US Marines from the Gulfport area were on hand to help distribute auction items and facilitate raffle drawings.
Launched by 3 Doors Down earlier this year The Better Life Foundation's mission is to make a positive change in the lives of children in need of food, shelter and medical assistance, and to enhance the lives of children and young adults with special needs. The Better Life Foundation will work to raise money each year that will be distributed to organizations and hospitals that the band believes will help them fulfill their mission so these children are offered a better life in which they can develop their potential, achieve their goals, and, become caring and responsible adults. The Foundation's motto "Changing The World, One Life At A Time."
To date over sixteen charities including The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence, Habitat for Humanity, Mulherin Custodial Home, Our Daily Bread, The Children Advocacy Center Wilmer Hall, United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile, and USA Children's & Women's Hospital have benefited from TBLF . (full list and more information at www.thebetterlifefoundation.org)
3 Doors Down, from Escatawpa, Mississippi, have sold over 11 million records in the US alone since debuting in 2000 with their CD The Better Life and then following up with Away from The Sun in 2002. Away From The Sun stayed on the Billboard Top 200 Chart for almost 2 years. They've written six #1 hit singles including (according to Nielsen) the #1 most played song in the country in 2003 "When I'm Gone" and the 2004 critically acclaimed ballad "Here Without You." The band will release their 3rd album, entitled Seventeen Days on February 8, 2005. The first single "Let Me Go" is already climbing the charts- it' s at #14 on the Billboard rock chart this week.
Ean had a great time in Mississippi,
It was amazing, says Ean, "We felt right at home with these guys!
It was a honored to listen as they told stories
of how the influences of Ronnie Van Zant and Skynyrd
have continued with them as musicians as their songs top the charts.
It was a night I won't forget and feel very blessed to have taken part in."
What these guys are doing is AWESOME!
|
Ean just returned from Nashville
where he was taping of the upcoming CMT
"Crossroads" episode with Lynyrd Skynyrd
and Montgomery Gentry scheduled to air Dec. 10th
"It was exciting to be apart of the show, we had fun!", says Ean.
"I expect all the fans to be happy, We had several sets taping,
including an acoustic set around a fire, now that was cool!
It will be interesting to see how the show ultimately turns out.
I am looking forward to seeing which parts make the final cut.
Here's Ean with the Country duo Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry.
 
Be sure to catch the new Episode of "Crossroads" Dec. 10th.
For more info on the show and scheduled show times
go to www.cmt.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey dude, Let's Go Shred It!"
While in Nashville, Ean had the chance to catch up with friend Zak Wylde.
Zak called and said, "hey dude, let's go shred it!"
So once the CMT taping wound up we hooked up and hit the stage.
Ean and Zak treated Nashville locals in Nashville's
historic Printers Alley at the Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar.
"It was a blast! We did a smoking set, I really enjoyed myself.
Ean says, "To me, Zak Wylde is the greatest guitarist on the planet!"
 
It sounded good, Gave me a chance to tear it up!"
I was honored to "Shred it" with Zak!"
Ean will now take the week off
enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday with his family
then hit the studio on Monday to work on his upcoming CD.
From Ean, his family and all of us at Ean Evans.com
We hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!"
|
With the tour winding down for 2004,
Ean has had some much needed off time,
allowing him to focus on his project tying up loose ends.
Ean has been in the studio working on the finishing touches the last few days,
"It will all come together at it's own time," says Ean.
Ean heads out next week for some dates on the west coast.
he is looking forward to the next few shows with Skynyrd.
before heading back to Nashville for the taping of the "Crossroads" Episode
with Montgomery Gentry then heading home to MS for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
 
Here is a shot of Ean with his daughter Andrea, & Miss "Dixie" Dun Wright.
"Dixie" & Andrea recently took 2nd prize at their first showing.
Ean and Eva's other daughter Sydney,
seen here with actress Regina King
recently announced her engagement.
The Evans are extremely proud of both their girls.
Ean says, "I have so much to be thankful for, I am very blessed."
For now, he is looking forward to the the Holiday's,
spending time with his family and working on his CD.
|
Ean Evans shows
appreciation to Columbus
Photo courtesy of The Commercial Dispatch
Columbus Mayor Jeffrey Rupp, left, holds a gold record presented
to him by Lynyrd Skynyrd's bassist Ean Evans, right, of New Hope.
Evans presented the plaque commemorating Lynyrd Skynyrd's 30th anniversary collection to Rupp after it went gold in appreciation for Columbus' support over the years.
The record has sold more than a million copies, and has recently gone platinum.
The framed piece includes a gold CD, a signed guitar pick and a gold dedication plaque. "I plan to keep it in my office," Rupp said.
"It needs to hang in City Hall." While Rupp was expecting Evans' visit Wednesday, the mayor said he was surprised by the gift.
"I knew he was coming by, and he was going to give me something, but I never thought it would be something like that," Rupp said.
Mayor Rupp also writes a weekly column "Open Line" and he too wrote of the gift from Ean
As you may know, I like to play the guitar, and from time to time
you may see me at a function picking and grinning. Growing up as a young
guitar player in the mid-'70s, there were several guitar licks you had to
master to be considered a legitimate player: the opening harmonics to Yes,
Roundabout, Led Zepplin¹s "Stairway to Heaven" and Lynyrd Skynyrd¹s "Sweet
Home Alabama."
I must have played Sweet Home Alabama hundreds of times over the years. I
write all that to set up something that happened last week at City Hall. The
bass player for Skynyrd, Ean Evans, lives in New Hope. I¹ve gotten to know
him and, even though he looks the part of a Southern rocker (long hair and
lots and lots of black), he is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and
he cares very much about his community.
Last Wednesday he said he wanted to see me at my office. Much to my
surprise, he presented me with a gold record for the band's recent release
of "Thirty." It's a compilation featuring many of their classic hits over
the past 30 years. Bands are like families, and over the years they go
through triumphs and tragedies like all families do. Lynyrd Skynyrd is no
exception, and I respect the fact that they're still packing concert halls
after all these years.
It'll soon be hanging in my office, and I invite you to come by and take a
look. A gold record from Lynyrd Skynyrd hanging in the mayor's office in
Columbus, Mississippi ‹ as Bob Dylan says, "The times they are a changin".
Jeffrey Rupp is the mayor of Columbus. Open Line is a weekly column
intended to facilitate dialogue between the community and city government.
|
Skynyrd & "Dog" The
Bounty Hunter
Skynyrd & Dog Team Up As their “VICIOUS CYCLE” tour
continues to move across America,
LYNYRD SKYNYRD announces the release of their new double live album
titled LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYVE, on Sanctuary Records.
The two-disc set features the band’s triumphant show
before 17,000 heartland fans last July 11
at the AmSouth Amphitheatre in Nashville, TN.
He's fierce.
He's unstoppable.
He's real.
RUN.
Ean with the Bounty Hunter star : Duane "Dog" Chapman
the baddest and most famous bounty hunter in the world.
The Lynyrd Skynyrd band has teamed up with A&E this summer
to help promote the new real life series "DOG: The Bounty Hunter"
Check out the new "DOG" site at A & E where you will find a link
to the cartoon video featuring some of the band and crew members,
currently being used at the concerts!
See how Dog tracks down the guys in the band before the show starts.
http://www.aetv.com/tv/shows/dogthebountyhunter/
The series begins Tuesday, August 31st at 10:00pm
A&E Network Lets the Creative Dogs Out
by Mike Reynolds
A&E Network is unleashing creative ideas to promote upcoming reality series Dog the Bounty Hunter .The series, premiering on Aug. 31 at 10 p.m. with back-to-back episodes,
trails Dog Chapman, who has captured more than 6,000 fugitives around the globe. In what network officials believe to be a sponsorship first, Chapman’s show is backing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s concert tour, covering 53
dates from July into October.
Just when the lights go down, “Gone Fishin,” an animated video clip featuring the voices of Chapman and Skynyrd members Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Billy Powell and Ricky Medlocke, welcome the band onto the stage. “We just felt Dog had the right personality to appeal to people in their 30s and 40s who are into rock 'n’ roll. We looked at all the summer tours [for sponsorship opportunities] and we thought Lynyrd Skynyrd was the right fit because Dog likes the band,” A&E senior VP of marketing Artie Scheff said. Chapman’s Denver office is dubbed “Free as a Bird Bail Bonds.”
Chapman and co-star Beth Smith are doing their part to get up close with concertgoers, including MSO affiliates, engaging in meet-and-greets at various tour stops. Show ads will appear in 485 health clubs in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Bar and restaurant patrons in L.A. and the Big Apple won’t be able to evade Chapman’s gaze either. “He won’t take any of your crap,” ads in bathroom stalls proclaim. Signs above urinals say: “Unlike you, he never misses.” Said Scheff, “This is a little edgier that what we’ve done at A&E.”
|
The Evan's family wish to express their deepest condolences
to the entire Van Zant family, on the loss of their beloved Lacy.
We will continue to hold everyone in our prayers.
Lacy will truly be missed by so many whose lives he touched.
But he will never be forgotten!
God Bless ya Papa Van Zant . . .
|
From Pollstar.com
Van Zant Family Patriarch Dies
The Van Zant Southern rock dynasty lost its leader the evening of August 3.
Lacy Van Zant, 89 succumbed to chronic pulmonary illness.
The father of the late Ronnie Van Zant (founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd),
Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Donnie Van Zant of 38 Special,
as well as two daughters - Darlene and Marlene -
Lacy was well-known as the Father of Southern Rock.
He died peacefully at home in Jacksonville, Fla. surrounded by his family.
Lynyrd Skynyrd will postpone their August 6th show
in Louisville, Kentucky until September 26th
and their August 7th show in Greenville, Wisconsin
has been postponed until August 20th.
38 Special will postpone or cancel their shows on
August 5 (Rama, Ontario), August 6 (Rockland, Maine)
and August 7 (Hughesville, Penn.).
Should these shows be able to be rescheduled,
the new show dates will be announced as soon as they are available.
A memorial fund has been set up in Lacy's memory.
In lieu of flowers, fans and friends are encouraged
to make donations to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida:
www.communityhospice.com/who_foundation.htm
Community Hospice of Northeast Florida
4266 Sunbeam Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32257
|
ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND & LYNYRD SKYNYRD ANNOUNCE TOURDATES
The Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd have never toured together, but that's about to change. The bands will team up for a handful of shows in October, according to USA Today, and a source told LAUNCH that if all goes well, there should be a longer tour in the future.
Late last year, when discussions between the two bands got underway, Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant told LAUNCH that he was looking forward to the pairing: "You know, hey -- I would love to do that. I think that would be a great combination. It would be kind of a cool thing for us to do that.
When you think of Southern rock, you think of the Allman Brothers (and) Lynyrd Skynyrd." Allmans leader Gregg Allman said, "The Brothers and Skynyrd on the same stage has been a fan's dream a long time coming, proving that the road goes on forever."
Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington added, "When our band first got together, we were inspired by (pre-Allman Brothers Band formations) the Allman Joys and Hour Glass. "I can't wait to hit the road with them."
It's probably to early to think about walk-ons, but it should be noted that Allman Brothers singer-guitarist Warren Haynes is a big Skynyrd fan, and he's played "Simple Man" with his other group, Gov't Mule. In fact, they recorded a version of the song for a planned Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute album that's still in progress.
The Allman Brothers Band/Lynyrd Skynyrd tour dates (subject to change):
Fri 10/01/04 - Raleigh, NC - Alltel Pavilion Walnut Creek
Sat 10/02/04 - Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amph.
Tue 10/05/04 - Memphis, TN - Mud Island
Wed 10/06/04 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
Fri 10/08/04 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Centre
Sat 10/09/04 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sun 10/10/04 - San Antonio, TX - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
|
Recording Academy News - June 7, 2004
Juanes, Jaco Pastorius And Lynyrd Skynyrd Honored By Florida Chapter
Heroes Awards also recognize Florida State Reps. Nancy Detert and Suzanne Kosmas
GRAMMY.com
Fernando Gonzalez
Members of the music group Lynyrd Skynyrd pose for photographers during a photo op Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Coral Gables, Fla, before the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy honored the band with the 2004 Florida Heroes Award.
(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, Colombian singer/songwriter Juanes and the late bassist and composer Jaco Pastorius were honored at the 6th annual Recording Academy
Florida Chapter's Heroes Awards Sunday.
The black-tie event, celebrated at the elegant Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, brought together recording artists, key entertainment executives and community leaders and featured performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Juanes, the Jaco Pastorius Big Band conducted by Peter Graves, and singer/songwriter Nicolle Chirino. It also included a special award to Florida State Representatives Nancy Detert and Suzanne Kosmas for their support for the arts and arts education.
It was an evening of remarkable musical diversity and a wide range of emotions.
It started with a very touching, heartfelt presentation to the sons and daughter of the late great bassist, arranger and composer Jaco Pastorius.
The evening ended on a high, loud note after Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage. Dana Dowd, daughter of the late great producer and engineer Tom Dowd, read the notes her father made in October 1977, after learning of the plane crash that killed Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and vocalist Cassie Gaines.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's group leader and founding guitarist Gary Rossington holds his trophy as he addresses the guests during a ceremony honoring Lynyrd Skynyrd and other recording artists Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Coral Gables, Fla. The Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy honored Juanes with the 2004 Florida Heroes Award.
(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Guitarist Gary Rossington, in receiving the award, spoke of the band breaking up after the tragedy only to regroup a decade later. "Thirty years and still rockin'," said Rossington wistfully as he held the award.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's lead singer Johnny Van Zant performs before guests during a ceremony honoring the southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd and other recording artists Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Coral Gables, Fla. The Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy honored the music group Lynyrd Skynyrd with the 2004 Florida Heroes Award. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
The band closed the evening with a tight, powerful performance. No, they didn't play "Freebird," but "Sweet Home Alabama" made for a nice send-off.
The Florida Heroes Awards are presented annually by the Florida Chapter to honor outstanding music community members with ties to Florida who have created a distinctive place in music history and/or improved the environment for the creative community.
In 2004, a new component was added recognizing support of the arts and arts education displayed by Florida's elected officials.
The gala event also featured a silent auction of music memorabilia as well as travel and entertainment packages. Proceeds will benefit the Florida Chapter's
education initiatives and programming including the Tom Dowd Music Education Grant Program, which provides musical instruments and instructional materials to Florida public schools.
|
designed by:
|
