The opening of the Ronnie Van Zant Park 10/19/1997

[TonyBeazley]

@TheDennisegg way before....

[bigkittysmile]

fantastic! ronnie is a music hero and deserves this. where is this located? thx.

[TonyBeazley]

@bigkittysmile 2760 Sandridge Road - Lake Asbury, FL

[FrankiethePirate813]

@TonyBeazley

2760 Sandridge Rd, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

[jobycat]

As a homeboy, why dont folks leave that S*#% alone? Let them rest in peace.

[NeilFraudstrong]

Tony, is it true that Artimus is now feuding with Judy and Melody?

[TonyBeazley]

@NeilFraudstrong haven't heard that at all bro.....

[NeilFraudstrong]

@TonyBeazley

I thought it was a bit far fetched myself, but I saw on one video (I can't recall which) that the uploader said that Artimus torched Judy and Melody in the press. Again, I found it to be far fetched.

[MIML95]

I will go there some day, to pay my respects to a great man. RIP Ronnie Van Zant.

[cherokeecountryboy]

does anyone know were this park is at?

[TonyBeazley]

@cherokeecountryboy  located at 2760 Sandridge Road off CR 739 B in the Penney Farms/Lake Asbury area,

[jonsherry]

i was there 4 this~pretty awsome!

[wozjj]

I believe that Gene Odom is most honest and sincere. He clearly loves Ronnie still and my heart goes out to him. Tony Beasley has treated the memories and lives of all things Skynyrd with fairness and respect. thanks!

[TonyBeazley]

@wozjj yes he is...a real nice guy....thanks for the compliments :)

[TheChas112859]

For your information. Artimus saved the rest of the band member's the night of the crash. I know. I was with Lori Elson @ the Blanding drive in Theater. I graduated with Jonnie at Ed White High School. Kevin Elson was the Sound man. He lived next door to me. Charles Sharpe. If the people only knew the History of the Band. They were real !!! They started Southern Rock. We has great bands come out of Jackonville. To many to list. Do your HOMEWORK.

[TonyBeazley]

@TheChas112859 Thank you for your support ......means alot...

[tti01]

@TheChas112859 i actually met artimus at sloppy joe's at jax beach before judy bought it and turned it into freebirds. nice guy. and if people would have stopped desecrating ronnie tombstone, his family would not have had to move him. i found out where he was back in dec. 06, but i have only told a very few people, because i don't want the same thing to happen again. but i was there off of 295 a few months ago, and now leon wilkinson is buried across from the family. i wonder why?

[waylon972]

I don't care what or if Artimus did. He is still my favorite drummer of all time and always will be no matter what. I still think people has made more out of it than it PROBABLY was.

[neckpain09]

When Ronnie died, so did Skynyrd!

[JohnJacksonJohnson]

A lot of people don't know that Ronnie was also a big White Sox fan too.

Also, his daughter Tammy (from his first marriage to Nadine Incoe) is also a musician like her daddy and her uncles.

[chett005]

we Love you Ronnie,up here in canada

[HordeFTL]

I wanna head out there some time, looks like a great place in honour of a great man

[TonyBeazley]

@HordeFTL indeed it is and take your fishing pole ...you can fish there....

[kalebcatoe]

I Drove by there the other day(: R.I.P. Ronnie VanZant

[Claptonfan1972]

What a lot of people don't know is that the Allmans (Duane & Greg} grew up in Jacksonville. Duane and Greg went their separate ways and finally met in the middle, Macon, GA.

[johnrafferty1]

i remember this well it was the new sign by the road i was right there john

[redneckmom53]

I remember when they practiced in Leon's carport on Tango Lane. Whatever happened to his little sister Mary?

[scotcandy2001]

why didn't he go to leons or allens funeral?  Ronnie would love the fact that he has an outdoor park in his name. what an honor.

[maverick10241]

@scotcandy2001 in my opinion because he doesn't care or it seems that way but artims went to all of them i think i am right,but Gary well i will leave it like that but if anyone knows this band it would be tony beazley or gene Odom,both are very sincere about anything they say about the band and they are truthful.

[robinhoodintn1]

artimus has taken a bad rap because of gary,according to gary artinus and ed king were never any good and that is just bullshit.i think gary always wanted lynyrd skynyrd to be his and that was never going to happen until ronnie passed away and so did skynyrd passed away with him.its all now about the money that's all gary cares about he never went to leon or allen funeral now what does that tell you about gary.

[TonyBeazley]

@robinhoodintn1 I had no idea he never showed up to the funerals...yep thats sad stuff....

[TheSpawnofSkynyrd]

@robinhoodintn1 - I disagree. I've seen numerous articles on how Ronnie thought of Skynyrd as one big family. Gary was close friends with Allen and Ronnie. And since Gary was a co-founder with Ronnie, does that not give him the right to keep Skynyrd's name alive? Artimus holds no ground with Skynyrd anymore after that incredibly vile thing he did in the early 90's. A Nasty individual. Skynyrd's drummers are: Bob Burns, Rickey Medlocke, Owen Hale, Michael Cartelleone.

[TonyBeazley]

@TheSpawnofSkynyrd sounds like you've been on lynskyn1981 site too much.... just another Artie hater taking a swing.... people who bitch and moan about the supposed criminal act that he supposedly did are people that have been molested themselves and thats why "you people" come here and tell us how much you hate Artie.... you people have some issues you need to work out with yourselves...

[TheSpawnofSkynyrd]

@TonyBeazley - If it is a "supposed" act, then why is it documented. The guy is a whack job. Call me a hater if you want, makes no difference to me. But to say "people who ***** and moan about .... are people who have been molested themselves" is a little out of line don't you think? Making a generalization...however, my statement holds truth. LynSkyn1981 knows more about the background than you do in my opinion. You're certainly entitled to your own opinion, but criminals like Pyle need

[TonyBeazley]

@TheSpawnofSkynyrd I am not a judge but you seem to be at 29 years old. Hey you come here and say bad shit about the real Skynyrd members and you'll get a comeback from me or another fan of the real Skynyrd band...hey if you swing at me I'll swing back at you bud...ITS MY CHANNEL!!!

[TheSpawnofSkynyrd]

@TonyBeazley - to be locked up. What he did was disgusting, vile, and over the top.

Oh, and another thing... Gene Odom. I've noticed you have a few interviews with him. Why is that he contradicts himself in his books and then on the video's? He can't tell the honest truth. However, Billy Powell (RIP) did.

And another thing, Pyle states that Lynyrd Skynyrd now, is not Skynyrd but a Skynyrd tribute band. Ronnie always said Skynyrd was a big family and his KID BROTHER, who was to take ove

[TonyBeazley]

@TheSpawnofSkynyrd Billy Powell lied and its on vh1 video and then the next year he said himself he lied...or do you not follow up on stories..... you came here for a personal attack against me , my channel and my videos. And your little friend LYNSKYN1981 has no idea what he is talking about and I don't care if his dad plays in Kansas. You are wrong get it right pal .

[Southernborn761]

@TheSpawnofSkynyrd Well i can see tony was right. you have been on the lil bish's channel way to long. you and the bish will never know a damn thing if someone does not tell you or you read it in a book. Dont blame Arti for what me and the other ORIGINAL Skynyrd fans did. It was ME that started calling them no more than a tribute band and that is just what they are and nothing else. ask yer lilbish about the rule of 3? and see what she has to say. LynSkyn1981 <-Ms post & remove what she posted.

[TonyBeazley]

@Southernborn761  thanks bro.... even Leon called them a tribute band...and he was in it...

[ddmcslob]

does anyone know where to get one of the t shirts mel van zant is werein cool

[TonyBeazley]

@ddmcslob they still might be on sale....I thought Judy sold them from the foundation...

[ddmcslob]

@TonyBeazley hay bro if ya find out any more about where i could get one or two please let me know ie an address i would love it thanks...ps ya missed skynyard in dublin in march what a show ..thanks again for taking the time to reply...allen aka slob devils disciples mc ireland

[94donnacone]

why all neg.remarks about art ive never heard him say one bad thing about ronnie are the band.

[TonyBeazley]

man it sure beats me....the guy carries the torch for Ronnies music more than anyone I know ..

[bluestreetcar]

wish you & I could jam with him bro........hope you're doing ok...? let me know something "Cat". Okay, later.

[TonyBeazley]

me too bro ...we both should send a few emails to him ...

[johnr321111]

that night they had the stage set up and played music and that pepsi skynyrd movie.. something happend and the police stoped it or something ?? I always thought it was because my friends and I , lit up a cheech and chong..sorry if we killed the party..JR

[TonyBeazley]

that did not happen cops didn't stop nothing ...it got very dark is what happened and not enough light for all the bands to play... so APB ended it with Freebird...

[blakemoody3]

i met artimus one time. nice dude. a friend of mine and me were at his house to pick up his son. artimus was just in there watching something on the tv. very nice and friendly man. guy wouldn't hurt a fly. also, a really good drummer.....

[radio1records]

Where was Tammy? (Ronnie's oldest daughter)

[TonyBeazley]

not sure... this was the first time to meet everyone from Skynyrd...I think she may have come out the next year...

[bluegrassman776]

and all you men that joke and say that men are pigs . and have fun with that stuff . you need to stop because it just makes it worse on the rest of us men.

[bluegrassman776]

alot of women are evil , sorry its the truth and the other girls and women out there don't what to hear the truth well too bad. its always the man's fault well no most of the time its the woman.

[TonyBeazley]

the woman ate the apple....and I'm sticking to it!!!! :)

[johnr321111]

i was there at this opening I hope the park is doing good..

[bulldog32220]

Artie is also my friend and so are the Van Zants i was there the opening of this park

[KISSfan567]

@bulldog32220 We know ronnies widow i live in the city where skynyrd started to

[tranurse]

@KISSfan567 my aunt taught at lee with coach skinner.

[bulldog32220]

Ive known the Van Zants for many years i have pictures of Ronnie and my grandmother sitting on the proch talking i have pictures of him fishing with my family

[rocktellidrop09]

Thank you too Tony. I'm 49 and grew myself up on southern rock. Its stayed in my heart as much as the Love for my Mom. Born in Oregon and live in Alaska, I will take this music to my finall day!!!

[rocktellidrop09]

Respect and love

[TonyBeazley]

YES!!!!!!

[ADVERMIX]

Dios los bendiga a todos!!!

[MASONMAN302]

Tony thanks.i was at this function.i have photos of this. i was standing to the left. do you have any more you can post?i came down there with a few old orig. skynyrd records and got some autographs. spent alot of time with Estes, Artie, Greg, Banner, Jeff Carlise, all off those guys were so down to earth, we had Artie and the rest of the gang come up to play a small club. wowed again. we went back to 1 more skynyrd / Judy reunion. we may have met, any how keep it up,THANKS. CRAIG P.

[TonyBeazley]

Thanks Craig we possibly did bump into each other..I think I went the next year also...

[Vaportrail69]

I have NEVER understood the "bashing" of Artimus Pyle.....I thought he was always respectful of his friend Ronnie and the other victims of the plane crash...

[TonyBeazley]

Artimus is very respectful to 99% of the other bandmates...especially Ronnie....Artie is always giving thanks to that man for his songs...he actually stops playing and talks about Ronnie and tells a couple of stories during his shows...nobody else does that...

[NeilFraudstrong]

@Vaportrail69

I think it has to do with his having to register as a sex offender. To a lot of people, he's guilty just because the newspaper says it, but I believe Artimus is innocent. Sadly, my opinion means nothing.

[TonyBeazley]

@NeilFraudstrong Your opinion means alot...trust me....Thanks!!!1

[Randall121968]

@Vaportrail69 Me neither! He saved there lives running through that swamp with the bones sticking out of his side. I don't understand it either.

[pierce9638]

@Vaportrail69 I THINK ITS ALL ON GARY...I know that Randall Hall and others left the band because Gary felt only original band members should get a full cut.........He's alone now ,no one left to take his money....ARTIMUS has the better band now !

[rich2244345]

wow....it's great to read these comments of brothers that live near me that i don't know....

[rich2244345]

There's this short cut i take everyday from st. aug to orangepark everyday...i'll go down 13 to 16 cross the shads bridge to 17 to almost to blackcreek bridge. everyday i pass by and think about the feeling i had i 77' RIP Ronnie....rich

[BinLadenMustDie368]

i don't know what all of you are smokin' but SkYnYrD ROCKS!!!!!!

plus Artimus seems like a cool guy... would have to do some more research though... since ppl don't bad mouth others for just no reason... but if they doing it cause they don't like Skynyrd then can fuck themselves...

LONG LIVE ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

[FloormanofAlabama]

Semper Fi Arty!

[cpsalms18]

tony yes i know him well me and his son mike underwood use to hang together mr. underwood own his own pest control business my broyher lives on the place if you ever want to go there ill take ya there i would email u back but i aint use to this computor stuff i graduated from clay high in 1981 they did not teach us this stuff in scholl but my daughter is good on computer she use to go to school with johnnys daughter a man by the name of mr. gohagen use to rent them the property

[TonyBeazley]

How cool!! Yeah I need to put his interview on here..its extremely entertaining... tell him those video guys from Tennessee said Hi...and thanks for such a great interview...

[cpsalms18]

ronnies grand mother use to live beside where i grew up in green cove she and my aunt worked together at clay memorial hospital my brother is all into this music i like it a lot but my favorite is country and blue grass i bet alot of you didnot know ronnie loved merel haggard

[cpsalms18]

the park you are talking about is in lake asbury i live in green cove springs my bother lives on the property where the shack was where they use to practice it is 150 acres on peters creek the shack is not there the property owner at the time son burnt it down the foundation is there they rented this place for 65.00 a month to get away from jacksonville i am 47 y.o. i use to go there when i was a teen with my brother you could sit on the train tressal and here them play

[TonyBeazley]

Did you know Mr . Underwood that lived right across the railroad tracks from there...we interviewed him about Skynyrd..said he could hear them all day long...thanks for your comments very cool to read....

[agathor167]

omg.... i love lynyrd skynyrd, their last song was "Tuesdays gone" And what day of the week did the plane crash?? Every time i hear tusedays gone it gets me upset... it's a great song...

[skankspankr]

I think the plane crash was on a Thursday.

[rileyronco]

corinna gaines looks SOOO much like steve! =)

[NaserMestarihi]

I've always been very skeptical towards the charges against Artimus. He seems like too much of a good person to commit such a heinous crime, I've always been interested on hearing what the rest of the band members have to say and their insight on this matter. Or if possible any account where Artimus himself discusses this issue. Thanks for posting this video.

[ChuckMullis]

I really think Artimus has been shafted in the news. You know how the news lies to everyone on a daily basis.

[TonyBeazley]

Artimus never got his dues for what he did for Skynyrd...but yet he carries the torch for Ronnies songs....if you've ever been to see him at one of his shows you will know what I mean.....

[tjfreak]

Artemus never got enough recognition just for being a drummer who did some really cool shit,he had a different ,aggressive attack than anyone of the 70's.He had a really funky style,he really worked his set. I don't understand why he wasn't profiled more often,when far less drummers were.. more than once ? is it the pedophile allegations

[TonyBeazley]

Artie is just one of those people that got picked on and screwed over....and the other thing is Gary is just not too friendly anymore and he has people that watch what Artimus does...kinda shows what hate he has for some people......I don't think it is because of those allegations that kept him from achieving a big stardom...but then again he never did molest any child to begin with....you got to watch out for those psycho females you date!!!!!

[integreden75]

and I guess you need to watch out for the psycho drummers that you are in love with.

[integreden75]

Artimus never got the recognition for being the FRUITCAKE that he is. If Ronnie could be here to tell it, he would.

[TonyBeazley]

looks like we have another asshole stopping by for a swing....yeah if Ronnie was here to talk about Artie you'd truly know...

how odd you've been on youtube for 7 months and watched 20 videos and as comments go I'm sure they're all shit ass comments from a shitface behind a keyboard...

[da324]

If it was the truth, Ronnie would say so. Since the truth has came out, which was lies , and Ronnie's not here to say so; why don't you go fuck a goat!

[Sora2557]

Yeah well he wasn't there. Ya got a problem with Skynyrd you got a problem with all of us

[TonyBeazley]

@ChuckMullis He has been shafted bad and long enough....his daughters came forward after turning 18 and said he never touched them in that manner....sounds like a not guilty to me....now if all these trolls will go away.....

[xxWhiteLionxx]

about what year is this?

[TonyBeazley]

10/19/1997

[pdow52]

I have relatives that live in Jacksonville, my uncle is friends with a guy named Gene Odom, he was on the plane when it went down.

[tcbmedia]

I was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. This is a very nice tribute to Ronnie. Unless you lived there, it's hard for people to imagine how proud the fans are that they were from Jacksonville. Forget the politics people and appreciate the music and the man who was just like you & me. Thanks for the video and thank Artie for being a driving force to keep the memory of all Skynyrd members alive. RIP Ronnie, Allen, Leon, Steve & Cassie.

[TonyBeazley]

Thanks for your good words...... if only all people could forget the political crap and just listen to the music.....

[geliph]

Love Ronnie and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Love to see this video.

[klarmer]

Cool video, greets from a young Dutch Skynyrd head

[utubefavorsdems]

Classy video.

[clutepc]

Brings back some memories, I was there when this was opened.

To the other post about Brickyard Rd. I remember growing up and seeing the street sign stolen every few months..

The put in a concrete sign to fix that problem..

[melaverty]

For me, just an old Skynyrd fan from England, this is the best video on Youtube. Nuff said.

[sphinkterclinch87]

another bad ass vid

[musicnotes01]

where is this place at

[TonyBeazley]

2760 Sandridge Road off CR 739 B in the Penney Farms/Lake Asbury area

[wmckinley2002]

For someone from Clay County, FL, there is an awesome feeling coming back home and coming to this place. I recommend everyone who comes to Clay County to take a ride down Brickyard Road.

[clayp72]

I'm glad that Lacy lived to see this. A bit of comfort for him after the years of torture.

[gatorbait5551]

I have been to RVZ park a lot over in Lake Asbury.

[RELubber]

Was that Lacy up there too?? sure looked like him.

[TonyBeazley]

Yes it sure is!!!!

[RELubber]

Tony,

Being a lifelong fan, it would've been nice to hear Artimus mention Lacy. Not sure if it was part of the editing as to why he wasn't mentioned, but Lacy sure had a lot to do with the success of the band.

Hope he's resting in peace.

[TonyBeazley]

I believe he actually did say mom and pop vanzants name on there, I will have to put the hardrive back in there to see it...Artimus didn't forget anyone don't worry....

Had some trouble with alot of shoulders in my way and alot of people shouting and thats maybe why I didn't have it on there....

[Freebird10201977]

I agree, Lacy Van Zant was always there for Ronnie and the band when they needed anything from financial aid to car-rides.

[TonyBeazley]

and Judy helped out quite a bit too .....

[MaxVonStark]

Southerners treat thier own like family. Skynyrd is like family. What nawthern band ever had people who care so much like this?

[michiganriverman]

I'm from Northern Michigan and I've been a Skynyrd fan since their first album. I appreciate great rock n roll no matter what part of the country it comes from. We love our rock n roll heroes just as much as you love yours. Bob Seger, for instance. There's no reason to show disrespect to people in the North. It just makes you look petty.

[FatBird11]

I grew up part of my life, in Orange Park FL. I wonder why nobody has posted video of Ronnie Van Zant's grave, in Orange Park. I saw video of Collins' grave, but not Ronnie's.

[gatorbait5551]

I've driven by ronnie's grave a lot on the way to Jax of the OP mall.

[FatBird11]

Didn't them guys(Skynyrd) hang out at a place called The Brickyard?

[blakemoody3]

@gatorbait5551 i've been there too. i dont know if he is actually at that location though, if i recall correctly, the grave was vandalized (also another one) and they moved the body to an undisclosed location.

[TonyBeazley]

you need to watch my other videos with Gene Odom in them.....its there......

[tcbmedia]

I've watched them & the Tom Dowd interview. Another legend who has passed. Again being from Jacksonville,,,I went to high school with at Ed White H.S. with Johnny, Skynyrd paved the way for other JAX bands such as Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet & Donnie's band 38 Special. Your right regarding Judy also because being the wife of a touring band in the 70's had to be hard. Again these guys were just good ol southern boys who had a gift for music. Also thanks to Gary,Ed King & Ricky Medlocke. Thx Tony

[klmullins65]

Dont forget that the Allman Brothers Band first formed and played together in Jacksonville in '69!

[tcbmedia]

I would have mentioned that also but most people don't know that. They were actually formed in J-Ville & moved to Daytona.

[klmullins65]

Actually, Duane and Greg were from Daytona (via Nashville), and I think Dickey and the rest were in Jax, and from what I understand, after they signed with Phil Walden, he insisted they move to Macon, GA, where Capricorn Records was being based. Duane and Berry Oakley aree both buried in the Rose Hill Cemetary in Macon, where they hung out in the early days, and took the photos on the cover of their 1st album. There are also nearby graves that read "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" & "Little Martha"

[punkdude543]

and if you want to get even deeper...they had a farm out in lizella, georgia which is just outside of macon. let's put it this way, lizella got their first red light in 2004. my dad grew up there, and he said he could lay in his backyard at night and listen to the brothers have practice. lizella is also home to chris hicks, the current lead guitarist for marshall tucker band, one of my dad's closest friends. no cooler history than southern rock history :)

[skankspankr]

Isnt the farm the place they called "Idlewild South"? They called it that because it was as busy a place as NYC's Idlewild airport. They used it for the title of their 2nd album.

[punkdude543]

probably, that much i don't know.

[blakemoody3]

@klmullins65 actually, there was a time when ronnie and duane shared a home in riverside. that must have been some GOOD music coming out of that house all day long............

[skankspankr]

blake, where did you hear that Ronnie and Duane shared a home? Sorry, dude, but I gotta say I'm very skeptical of that.

[blakemoody3]

i'm pretty skeptical of anyone named skankspankr =-)

i read that in some skynyrd book years ago. dont ask me the title as it was 8-9 years ago. you gotta remember at the time they were broke musicians. dude probably was the "guy on the couch" for a spell or something. these two bands were close so the possibility is probably a good one.

[skankspankr]

@blakemoody3 , not trying to be a smartass or anything, but the Allmans were early influences on the Skynyrd guys when they were touring as the Allman Joys, then when they started ABB, but the Allmans were well on their way a few years before the Skynyrd boys were.

[FatBird11]

Yeah, I'm going to look at them right now, thanks.

[cnedwick]

Now that is just awesome. I am really glad to see this. Very touching to see Artimus get so choked up. Also great to see Ronnie and Steve's daughters and also Allen Collins mother. Thanks for posting this.

[DiBiasehere]

This guy was just the best and that is it

[dougf921]

IS THE PARK IN JACKSONVILLE?

[TonyBeazley]

yes its down around there...

[ronievanzant]

damn strait damn strait u tell artimus!!!!!!

[vintagecamper]

10/19/1997

we were there!!

Southern Steel Band from Italy

We'll never forget.

[TonyBeazley]

Yes I have video of your band...thought ya'll were great!!!!

[2er5]

oh ok thanks dude.

[2er5]

What year was this?

[TonyBeazley]

I'll look the tape up and get the date. It was either 97 or 98.

[bayportmullet]

It is actually in Clay County, south of Jacksonville.

[skynyrdfan52]

is that in jacksonville?

[Waymore78]

DAMN STRAIGHT, I HOPE TO GO SOMEDAY!

[mcgas1]

Thanks Tony that was very cool to see

[TonyBeazley]

You're welcome Mcgas