Freebird Child
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Tammy's Photo Gallery

Hi Everybody - I'm posting some of my favorite family photos here including a few of me and my family.   Thanks for visiting!  I always welcome your memories and comments.

I'll be adding more personal notes here to for anybody who is interested.  

Don't forget to check out my Facebook too and sign up to my friends list if you get a chance!



My dad when he was about 4 or 5 years old.



My dad when he was a teenager.  He loved the Beatles.



Dad and me and little sister, Melody. 



 Me with a doll that my dad gave me. 




Me and my mom, Nadine. 



Me and Dad when I was really little! 



Michelle by Ronnie VanZant
(the song my dad wrote for me - 
can be found on the Collectybles album)

Michelle, little girl I need you baby
More than the air I breathe
My love for you grows stronger babe
My words you must believe

Well I need to see you laugh again
And I want to see you smile
Michelle, little girl I love you baby
You're my only child

Michelle, little girl the pain for you
Is hurting me inside
At night I think of you sometimes
I lean my head and cry

I need to see you laugh again
And I wanna see you smile
Michelle, little girl I love you baby
You're my only child

Michelle, little girl I need you baby
More than the air I breathe
My love for you grows stronger babe
My words you must believe

I need to see you laugh again
And I wanna see you smile
Michelle, little girl I love you baby
You're my only child


Michelle, little girl I need you baby
More than the air I breathe
My love for you grows stronger babe


My dad - how he looked when he 
and my mom met.



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I love to hear from you! 
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These are letters I received in one of my comment boxes  - here or from youtube.
Thanks so much  - very much appreciated.

"a friend of mine--ken miller--knew ronnie--his band opened for skynyrd a few times in cleveland in the early 70's.  he played cards with him & just talked.  my friend has been recognized by the rock hall for his bands music accomplishments for local cleveland talent.  they were called brimstone.  the last i spoke to him, the original band was working on new music after 35 years.  he only had good things to say about ronnie.  i've had the chance to play with kenny back in the 90's.  just knowing someone who had met ronnie was amazing for me.  we did alot of skynyrd stuff.  we had 3 guitars, so we could pull it off.  played some big biker shows in the summertime thru the 90's.  i learned plenty  from kenny & the others from that band--they were called glass onion after a beatles song by lennon.  you can tell me if you know, but i always felt ronnie would have been an outlaw with waylon, johnny, willie & the others.  he fit their style, & his writing would have change!  d country sooner.  i agree with other comments--he was a genius.  his writing is all anyone needs to experience.  & i thought freebird child was very good.  i know heartfelt when i hear it.  that must have been emotional.  good work"
doc


"Great Pics! Your dad was a very special person and has touched the hearts of so many people. We love and miss him.
Best wishes to you and your family."
Proudbird

"GREAT JOB ON FREEBIRD CHILD LOVE IT GOD BLESS YA"
CRAIG F.


"Hi Tammy, I was so happy to find your website and to read and see how you have been since losing your dad. When I first saw your site here 2 weeks ago, I cried and cried and cried...and cried.  It's like it opened a 32 year release valve.  I wanted to write you then but could not get the words together to say it right. For all those years no one could really understand my 'obsession' or pain involved with the whole Skynyrd story.  It all began for me back in 1974 as a young teen.  To say I love(d) your dad is a grand understatement.  He touched my life so very deeply.  He has been my best mentor.  I finally realized today, the pain never left because I have never been able to tell him how much he impacted my personal life and values.  Now thru you, I can.  With that comes such a healing that has not been able before.  Nothing could cure the heartache until now. Please keep doing what you are doing.  I support you 100%.  The song is phenomenol!"
God Bless, Myra


"Wow i bet your dad is so proud.  He was my hero given I'm only 20 years old.   You are amazing. Keep up the good work.  Godspeed"
Morgaan

"l became a fan of Ronnie's in 1974. His songwriting, the lyrics reached out and grabbed me. I have since raised a son on Ronnie's music, and am in the process of educating my grandson as well."
Mike Z.


"Great site and some wonderful pics.  I listened to the song Freebird Child on youtube and it is an awesome song.
Thank you for sharing."
Mick S.

"I Love all your pics and memories...he will always be there for you in your life...he's your angel now...he's protecting you and guiding you.. you have inherited a GOD given talent....use it, but use it wisely!!  Your father was a wonderful Man..!  you know that and so does  millions of others  :) God Bless.. Take care"
Marianne


"Tammy,  I love your idea. Freebird Child. That is so Awesome. I am a huge fan of your Dad's and was looking at stuff on you tube about him and came across your post. I have to admit I never knew he had a daughter named Tammy. I knew he had Melody. But I am sure glad I know now! I'll be back to visit again and I will be sure to tell all the fans I know to check out this site!  God Bless!" 
Deb in CT

"Hello ! Tammy,I thought I'd send you a quick email to tell you have much I like your songs.They are songs people can really relate too ! And thanks for keeping good music ALIVE !" 
Todd in Syracuse, NY


"Your song really means alot to me, everyone has a dream and should try to live that dream, mine is writing comics, short stories, and your dad's band has always been my favorite band.  Keep the freebird flying tammy, I know you are going to make it. Your Uncle Johnny recorded a song many years ago call Brickyard Road, that song touches my heart just like your did. thanks . I added you as a friend on my space hope to hear
from you soon"

Julian


"I cannot express the feelings I feel knowing you are grown now and have chosen to sing! Now we can get to know you and your music just like we loved your father's. I hope you achieve all your dreams!" Sheree

"I hope and pray that as long as you fight for everything you want in life.you shall recieve.Your dad was a great man.Hopefully one day you will be in the rock and roll hall of fame beside your father where is where you belong"  Jim F.


"Hi, ive been a fan of lynard skynard for a long time. i was a little too young to go to concerts to see your dad play, but i have made it to alot of their concerts. ive seen them all over the states. i would have to say the best concert i seen, was when they played in fla. for the 30th year aniversary. will you be playing anywhere?? can i buy your cd in a store or just on the net? well i dont want to take too much of you time, your song freebird child was great i hope i hear more from you. oh yea, where did that doll come from in the picture?? take care"  Ron


"Glad to be a friend and fan."Wolfgang Heuberger The Southern Rock Society


Hello Tammy,  I just came across your song Freebird Child on youtube.  Being a fellow musician, I have to say that song is one of the prettiest songs I have ever heard.  You truly
share your father's talent.  God Bless. 
Tony H.

Tammy,  I am a huge fan of your music and your dad's. The apple has not fallen far from the apple tree keep  up the great work...  Your story is an inspiration you really have overcame alot of obstacles and i think that you really are a wonderful person....   :) - Beth M.


Well done!...Like all the others have stated here, your father continues to this very day to be a huge source of inspiration. i had the honor of seeing the original band on October 15th 1977 at the Hollywood Sportatorium. I was 15 at the time and I can remember it like yesterday. More recently and quite by accident I moved to Clay County and ended up moving into a home not too far from Brickyard Rd....life is strange sometimes...LOL
Anyway, thanks for sharing and please help tokeep his memory alive! Peace, Rick

I'm sending this from Australia and thought I'd let you know that I have been a big fan of your Dad's music since I was 18 way back in 1982.All because I was at the right place at the right time.The song that done it for me doesn't need to be put here because you would know what one I am talking about.
When your Dad's band reformed with your Uncle taking his place I was so excited.I have every album that Lynyrd Skynyrd have recorded which have been available in Australia.
Also I might be the only fan in Australia that has a tattoo of an Eagle and Rebel Flag with Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird.If I had a dollar for everytime I have been asked about Lynyrd Skynrd I would be a millionaire.All I do is mention Sweet Home Alabama because that is the only song that gets airplay over here.
Last year I finally got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd play live.I flew all the way to Chicago saw them play along with Hank Williams Jnr(who I'd never heard before).I had a great night and wished it never ended.
Earlier this year I was back in your country and took a road trip from Miami to San Francisco.On the way I stayed in Jacksonville(outskirts) and visited your Dad's grave,your Grandparent's,Steve Gaines,Cassie Gaines and Leon Wilkeson.The only one I couldn't find was Allen Collins.I had only got back to Australia when I heard about Billy Powell.
I will be returning next year for the Simple Man cruise.Which I am really looking forward too.
I only have two gripes.Australian radio does not play enough Lynyrd Skynyrd and Lynyrd Skynyrd have never toured here.
Wayne (sent July 09)

Great pics, Ronnie looked alot like he did when I saw Skynyrd the first time at Forrest High School in 70 or 71 Paid 50cents to get in...............Westside Shantytown Jacksonville,Fl.
Cecil T. 
I was fourteen on that dreadful day in 1977. Born and raised in south Alabama and still here today. Skynyrd music still plays in my home today and remains in my heart. I often wonder what the music industry would be like if Ronnie was still here. Thank You Tammy for FreeBird Child it moved me to tears. Love to You All.  Keep The Dream. 
Clay B.

Tammy, you really do have a girlly voice. Nice job on the vocals, I especially liked the composition and lyrics. I'm going to download your other songs and look forward to the complete CD. I want to hear your bluezy vocals as well. Your dad would be proud, I am!! Thanks, Your friend, Bugman Marty (Youtube comment)

I just listened to your song and I think it is very powerful! I think you have inherited some of that poetic magic that your dad had!! I lost my dad 10 years ago and I go to the races a lot to remember him. Keep on writing and singing you are great at both!!
                  Take care,  Eric D.

Just incredibly beautiful and you have made it into an iconic, melancholy, soul-touching song. When I listen to it the loss of my Mom, or my Brother, or Jakson comes flooding back. Your CD is one that will always be special to me. I'm forwarding your song to friends, they are shocked about no air play.  P.S. Jak always said Payola still exists but that it can be beat!  Joseph C.

From MySpace 12/09
Thank U For Being my Frynd~ Your Dad wrote many of the songs in the Soundtrack of my Life. I carried Hymn around the World when I was in the Navy. I found out that people all over the World knew of Him & His MaGiC-MuZiC. May The FreeB1rd 0f Good Fortune Feather your Nest With The Very Best & U Be Forever Blest. HAPPY H0LIDAZE, Keep On Smiling & Whatever Ya' Do

TURN it UP & PRAY it PRETTY
MySpace is Your Space~+~ Peace Be Unto U & Yours

Your Dad was/is my hero. I'm 52, 19 in 1977. Lynryd Skynyrd is my favorite band forever, Simple Man is my favorite song ever. Your song Freebird Child is awesome.  Mike R. 

I was very fortunate, to see Lynard Skynard, at an outdoor concert, in Memphis, Tn. with ZZ Top, and a couple other bands. I was 14 at the time. It was not long after that, I learned, of the plane crash. It was a sad day, worldwide, but only today, as I was browsing, through my FB friends, did I see the whole picture. I ran across your story, song, and wonderful family pictures, I felt the devastation,  that two young girls, and a whole family, have been going through, for years. I am so sorry, for what you've must have gone through, since then. I've got to tell you though, I have a new favorite song, and singer, what an awsome tribute to, your Daddy also. I can't wait to purchase the CD! I am so happy , to have discovered you, and will be sharing, with my FB friends also. I wish you, happiness, from, here on out. Keep up the good work! You, and your music are awsome :)  Sandy E.

Hiya Tammy,
I just wanted to say thank you for giving us "Freebird child". It is a great tribute to your dad. I have felt an incredible connection to Skynyrd music ever since I was about 13 and got "Gimme back my bullets" ( their best album in my opinion). I just learned of a new connection today, I share a birthday with your Grandma Marion/sister, Veterans day! God bless you and yours!   Vern M
Hey Tammy,
I am a big fan of your Dad and that's cool but I want to know more about you. Your music is great and I am your friend on Facebook. Keep giving us updates and pics, it's all good!
Best regards,
Mike D.

Thanks so much, friends, for your notes and comments!  Very much appreciated!
Tammy Michelle


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