If every brother would give this a chance like you did, we could heal this country quickly. Lynrd Skynrd was not racist, in spite of the rebel flag. It's just southern heritage. Thanks for doing this one.
They flew the flag cause when they went overseas to play the locals would call them yankees (general term for people for the states) they wanted people to know they were from the South. They were all actually pretty liberal.
The symbol of a flag is like a living being...... It is forever changing and adapting to those who honor it. To my generation the flag stood for the love of the States we lived in, the music we listened to (Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Outlaws etc.....). We loved Families our Mamma's, our fishing, our trucks n cars,our beer, our sports and anyone who was down was always welcome. We never looked to offend anyone for we figured we were all from the same swamp (Florida) and shared the same mosquitos.😉 BTW Free bird still blows away Stairway to Heaven!😂
You’ll notice the style the band plays in this a rendition of old Curtis. This man meant nothing to nobody at the time but this 10 year old boy that ended up becoming one of the most iconic artists of his time
You thought he said N****r word, because of a flag. Not everyone that has a Rebel flag is a Racist. Glad you looked up the lyrics so you could hear a white non racial man with a Rebel flag sing a tribute to a black man. Yes some white people are racist, just like their is some racist black people
@@bryanhale6018 we all know the song, our dads grew up listening to them and they became legendary after the plane crash in 1977, it killed the singer, Ronnie and the writer of every song they came up with. They always used the Rebel flag in their album covers and when they played live, they sing Sweet home Alabama and Free bird was their biggest hit. Ronnie's brother sings the songs Ronnie wrote now and they still use the Rebel flag. The song was about a white friend they had who would always get their glass coke bottles because Ronnie's family didn't believe in taking them to the store and cashing them in. They didn't need the money so let friends who had it harder go through their coke bottles. The guy who always got the bottles became their bodyguard when they started the band but Ronnie oneday said, I have a idea about the coke bottles. They went to their shed in the woods by the river and Ronnie already wrote the song but it didn't make sense so they changed the words to a black man they just made up. Their never was a Curtis Lowe but it was the blues so it had to be because blacks invited the blues. Sweet home Alabama was written because Neil Young wrote a song about this group because they always had a Rebel flag and Neil wrote a song called southern man and talked about when were they going to stop burning their crosses and listen to what ur good book says. When the band heard what he wrote, they had to respond. Just like a rapper would so they wrote sweet home Alabama. In the second verse they say, I heard Mr Young sing about her, I heard Ole Neil put her down. Well I hope Neil Young will remember, a southern man doesn't need him around anyhow. The lost Ronnie in 1977 and Ronnie was like another 2pac, he wrote so many songs, when he died. His brother replaced him and they are still singing the songs to this day in concerts and the same songs Ronnie wrote. They don't have knew songs, nobody is a song writer but the band still lives on and he wrote so many hits, they don't need to sing any other songs and wasn't around but 5 years and Ronnie was gone, he was one of the ones who died in the plane crash but yea, they want play a concert if someone says u can't have a Rebel flag so anyone that books the band already knows that and they always sell out any concert they do, even now and Ronnie died in 1977
If you were one of the fortunate ones as I was to actually watch them play this song live, they have Curtis’s picture on the screen behind them with his dobro. It’s a magical song that takes you back in time.
They loved Curtis Loew and saw past the skin he wore that dont matter right through to the beauty of the Blues that connected them, rather than the past Southern prejudices that divided them. Its a tribute to not only the man, but also, to changing times. Great choice, my friend. God Bless.👍🏽
Actually the only person that saw through curtiss color was the singer. His mother beat him for seeing Curtis and no one showed up to his funeral. Also curtis died poor, implying lower status.
@Jiu-Jitsu 4 Odin no it's not . It's about a colored man who plays the blues. They say it in the documentary "If I Leave Here Tomorrow". Ronnie Van Zant didn't see color he saw music and
@@Tom-jn7id think he refused to "see color" ... kids "see" what they are taught, by watching or by being taught. Nelson Mandela said that if one can teach hate then they can teach love
Yea his name was made up, change name to protect against lawsuits. I agree these were not racist, their use of that flag was mainly a sign they were from the south & was part of persona given to them by record company but they weren't against it because to them & most of us grew up in 60's-70's, it sidn't mean that to majority of people, the hate groups turned it into something ugly. When they played in Europe, people biught big confederate flags, they were on hats, belt buckles & shit. Tgey were proud to be from the south though & their music & others who had that sound became known as Southern Rock.
@@jagdawgii929 You are right. He doesn't know what he is talking about. After they sing "In Birmingham they love the Governor" the backup singers follow it up by saying "Boo Boo Boo"
A lot of people see the flag as an anti government symbol. And I'm glad that its lost its south shall rise meaning. Race relation have a while to go for many. But not for me. Were american and were chillin.
Thank you for the reaction - much appreciated. This song was based on true events - as were most all of their songs. The man the song is based on was a guy who the band members grew up around in the early 1960's, and interacted with on a regular basis. When they were little they rode around on bicycles collecting coke bottles to turn in for money. When they had saved up enough they would go to Mulberry Market where the man in the song hung out. They would give him all of their money so they could listen to him play music. He would play music on a Dobro guitar and would sing and use a Coca-Cola tray as a rhythm kick ( like a bass drum ). The guys fell in love with him and with his music. And is was he and others like Eddie James "Son" House Jr. and Shorty Medlocke, who were a big part of the reason these guys became musicians. The song is a love letter to the memory of a man who they adored and respected - dedicating a song to him and his memory. Which makes him live on in a musical kind of a way, and definitely inspired me to want to play guitar. As for the flag, MCA in the early 1970's launched the Sounds of the South subsidiary label, and scooped these guys up when they were teenagers. MCA decided that the flag had to be part of their stage arrangement. The band has since gotten rid of the flag and disavowed it. In their own words they never even considered being racist as they grew up in integrated communities and interacted with all different kinds of people - never caring what color skin people had. Thanks again for sharing the reaction and your thoughts - much appreciated.
Never heard the full story, I knew the man was real and so was their love for him and his amazing ability. Saw them in Fresno, Ca while in the Navy just a few months before they crashed on October, 20, 1977. It was my 20th birthday, have never been in a fight that I hurt so much afterwards. 44 years now on my birthday I raise a glass and tell Ronnie and the others that they were great and yhey are missed . Saw the remaining Members and Johnny doing vocals in Selma, Tx at the Verizon outdoor theater, it was great for concerts. They opened for Greg Allman, (Greg you don't follow Lynyrd Skynyrd) his music was great but we had nothing left to give. People were walking out, The Who found that out in Madison Square Garden that same thing from what I hear, don't care who you are, you don't want to follow Lynyrd Skynyrd. They take you to a level that when their done, your done. You are in a euphoric state is the best I can describe it, (for the record, Johnny sounds incredibly like Ronnie, but gives his brother all the praise and glory)
It makes me feel it more when I think of the old mans influence on this 10 year old boy. And he gets to tell him how he feels with his own blues. That’s the greatest compliment a student can give to a teacher/mentor. Curtis Lowe YOURE the finest picker to EVER play the blues ... that’s love my friends
Only this generation thinks the rebel flag is racist. When I was growing up in the 70s, it just meant the south. I am not racist, nor prejudice, but I am proud of being from the south.
I'm not from this generation and I've known my whole life that this flag has represented racism. The only ones who seem to have missed the memo on this are white southerners because the black southerners knew this from the minute that flag went up a pole. Frankly it should have been banned as soon as the Confederacy surrendered. We don't fly any other government's flag on US soil and certainly not one of a country that took us to war and lost.
That's the first time it ever occurred to me that "picker" could be misheard as "something else" - especially in a song that's a tribute to the title character's talent.
What is really interesting about this track is that I gives you a background of a retired talented man. The fact that nobody turned up at his funeral really bugs me. But here is his legacy. Thank you Curtis Loew for tuning your dobro. ☘❤
the music lives on. can stand the test of time. being of that era and watching the younger generations reactions and inpact the music still has today. is awesome, thank you
Dude!! This was actually genuine!! I knew when you went back in the start why. You are so freaking appreciated for taking the second to look up the lyrics!! Mad props sir!!! 🤘😁
Curtis Loew is the reason these guys became Lynyrd Skynrd. Van Zant decided to learn to play Dobro and guitar because of this man. This song will hit you hard when you have heard it about 2 or 3 more times and you realize the impact this man had on the entire band, especially Van Zant. He absolutely was NOT useless!
@Baby Dyce THANK YOU for reviewing this!! I understand why you needed to hear the 'finest picker' part again until you could hear it clearly...makes complete sense to me. This is truly a timeless (classic) song that EVERYONE should hear. Thank you again for taking the time to listen and comment. It is MUCH appreciated!!
Lol... saw your face bro, you double clutched AND you rode her out.... got my respect son. Always appreciate any music genre or style, good for our souls and gives us something that makes ya' feel like someone else gets it.... songs of our lives. Much love sir, KUDO'S to you, straight up from a 61 yr. old white dude, raised up listening to the ol' dudes outside the back of 'The Pig Stand' in Beaumont Texas teaching me real blues and soul. It walks with me through the windows of life. Seth Hughes
My 17 year old was in the shower singing this. He just came and asked me if it is a true story. “Yes, son. Yes, it is.” I’ve seen Skynard live twice, so he had to come ask his momma.
Growing up in the late 60s/early 70s we kids would comb the ditches along country roads looking for glass bottles for money. Most bottles had return value of 5 cents and the return value of five bottles would buy a lot of candy.
My dad grew up poor in South Carolina. He'd collect bottles on the way to school and use the money to buy food. I was a kid in Charleston and used to listen to people playing music on street corners. This song calls to me. Great reaction video, thumbs up.
This song, man. it's one of the best anti-racist rock songs of all time...and I also have to use it as proof that southern rock isn't racist...I wish Ronnie Van Zant was alive to set the record straight
I usually don't like reaction videos, but I love this song so checked it out. Mr. Dyce has a natural way about him that is just plain likeable. My question is why the Hell does this guy not have more Subscribers? He got at least one new one tonight.
that was some funny shit, the first time you stopped it at "Picker" i new right where your mind went! this song is all about how much they loved the old dude. respect!
@@BabyDyce32 I immediately caught you too and was like he's bout to google the lyrics (shit that's what I'd do) and you went for your phone haha. The south in general gets a super bad portrayal usually from people who have never been there, let alone spent time there to where they are qualified to speak intelligently or accurately about the culture. I would contend the southeast has the friendliest people of anywhere on average and race relations are better because in the deep south, everyone is poor. Not just one group. Southerners, more so than in any other area, as blacks and whites, live next door to each other. Work together. Live TOGETHER. There are bad spots and bad folks of course but that's literally everywhere. I mean there are Nazis all over the west coast but no one just brushes Cali, Portland and Seattle off with a blanket determination of "just a bunch of racists, fuck them" like Hollywood and the media do to people living in the south.
This song was written about a man that the band members knew growing up. It's a true story, and a great song. You've earned a subscriber, for what it's worth.
Big thumbs up to you Baby Dyce because this appeared to be a genuine first listen reaction. 👏🏽. This is a great tune and LS truly puts the “DIRTY” in Dirty South Rock. That’s just how I like my rock music (Rock, Blues, Soul and Country). I don’t like many reaction vids because you can tell they’re faking the reaction but Imma keep an eye out for yours. Subscribed!
I appreciate you. And yeah that's an on going theme on my channel, "we keep it real over here." If I heard something I'll tell you, but 100% of my reactions are genuine.
I grew up playing guitar....We use a"pick" to hit the strings. A picker, is a way of saying guitar player...It's very respectful to be called a Picker.😎
Story of a young white boy that DIDN'T judge someone by the color of their skin or his faults. He saw the good in the man and his talent. A little boy that DIDN'T go by what others thought and said about the man he called them FOOLS. This song is about seeing the good in people and NOT judging them. Ronnie Van Zant had the guts to write this and record it way back in the 70's. I'm from Alabama im 62 and have had many good friends of color in my life when i stopped listening to the FOOLS.
I love that you said Kurtis Blow. I love Lynyrd Skynyrd but I also love hip-hop, and I’ve done that 1000 times. BTW: I love that you back it up (easy, back it up) rather than just plow through not caring about the lyrics. I wish everyone would have a copy of the lyrics while they’re listening to the song. Nicely done. “Oh, ‘picker’!” Dude, that killed me. I was kind of wondering what was throwing you off. Goddamn that was funny.
Right on, Baby Dyce. Great comments, funny as hell and true. nice re-wind to check the lyrics, and then you just let the song rip. Awesome content, back at it! Made my day that you dug it. Three thumbs up, best part was that you thought of playing it for your mom....she must be amazing.
Excellent :) Please look into real history of confederate flag so that you will never be offended again. ♡ it's not racial...its about the people standing up against the tyrannical govt. (The way we need to be now...united against tyranny-thats why they lie) Be blessed ♡♡♡
Its complicated!! Not that simple!! Most southern people were poor and 99% never owned slaves. They were brainwashed and brought into a war they did not start. The one part of that war that I have pride in is the fact that southerners however brainwashed out gunned and out manner fought like hell to the end. Also what people call the Confederate flag was never the Confederate flag. It was the flag they carried in battle. With that said...the song is a true story and what inspired Van Zant to be a musician. No Curtis Lowe no Ronnie Van Zant.
It was played on my porch many of times while we all picked beans and chucked corn. Good Ole days as a farmers daughter. Damn good Southern Rock. They were the true good ole boys. Wild as hell but even more awesome!awesome
Always been one of my favorite. I've seen these guys 4 times. They had the best crowd DVER!! They were just calm laid back and a joint passed all around. Love my boys.
You laughed when he said "the black mans blues", truth is Ronnie Van Zant knew that black blues started "all" of American music, rock, jazz, and even country. Big Band, Ragtime and of course pop, all were from black based music, slave and gospel, blues, rhythm and blues, then rock and roll. Country was started in the south when Irish and English folk songs were blended into the rythm and harmony of black blues. The Carter family were one of the first to record country, and Maybelle Carter was given rcognition for playing rhythm and melodie until the truth finaly was told that she was taught by an African American by the name of Lesley Riddle, which also helped the carter family to get their "sound". When asked how he learned it, he claimed it had been played by black blues players for years. Van Zant as well as the guitarists of Skynyrd had a deep admiration for blues players, and you can hear it in their music, but Ronnie always wanted to learn from the masters, not hand me downs, and thats why he states the black mans blues, because blacks OWN the blues, they made it, they lived it, and it is theirs, bar none.....
Amazing song. Curtis was a great dobro player! He knew how to play the blues. Great song. "Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues..."🎵 The kid in the song would hang out with Curtis and ask him to play him a song. Just think, sweet tea, front porch, people hanging out. Good stuff. Thanks for your review!
Us southern boys don't care where ya from, or what you look like, as long as you can play some good blues and bring some feel. You can be neon green, we don't care. This is from a white Mississippi boy that thinks blues is king. You do you, man. The new generation dgaf about skin color. Make me feel some blues and I'll buy you a drink. Cheers.
Many blacks died and overcome the confederacy, I wouldn’t consider it racist, though many people do, so many Africans were empowered and prevailed over the flag, and the song is literally a heartfelt song about a revolutionary black man from white confederate classic rock. Respect! ✌🏽
State rights, not racism. Blacks fought proudly for the south because it was their fucking land too. Lets come together and learn what the southern states were actually opposing my fam. #onelove
This is one of my favorite Skynyrd songs (and I have lyrics from Simple Man tattooed on me), and songs in general. It's all about love and respect! Skynyrd doesn't stand for racism or hate. Peace, Love, Unity & Respect everyone! Stay safe, and take care of each other!
This dude got his head on straight! Even with a buzz he has the composure of a Jedi. Just flip the script and tell me if you would enjoy this song like he did. Not gonna go bump this everyday no doubt. But I bet we look at life a little more wiser through someone else's eyes. We need understanding like this. One love✊✌️👍🤙🖖👌🤌
I’m from Georgia and we called it the rebel flag. Among the young (white) kids, it was seen as an act of rebellion against authority, teachers, parents etc. I can well see why you would be put off by this flag. Skynyrd are good guys. Their promoters and managers pushed that southern thing and the flag. It’s unfortunate, really. Good reaction.
Lisa Michelle your a fool... I was around in early skynard days and all their fans including them worse and rep the confederate flag.... the southerners were the originals on working with black people.... some of the worst racial tension events happened in the north back them
This song has a cool spin that little kids just loved the old mans music. They didn’t see anything else. We all could use a little of the kid vision at times
Finest "picker" to ever play the blues! Man I never even thought of that sounded so close to something else! Lol... props for looking it up and enjoying the song
I'm not a very good writer so I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. The Confederate Flag did not always stand for racism. In my mind, it still doesn't. It used to be a symbol of Southern pride, white and black's speaking out against the tyranny of the Federal Government. Many older black people will tell you this. The flag let the folks in Washington know that southerners do not want city folks living thousands of miles away telling us how to live. The Confederate flag became a symbol of hate because the KKK, the Skinheads, and other racist white supremacists groups started using if at their demonstrations and in their meeting places etc. It's sad really. It's not the only symbol that was stolen and twisted into something evil. The Swastica was a religious symbol until the Nazi's started using it. It is still forbidden in Germany. The Confederate flag did not always mean "I hate black people". It used to mean, "I hate the federal government pushing us around.". www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591
The imagery of the tune paints quite the picture. I know the actual Curtis was Shorty Medlocke, but see the scene in your head for a moment: A little boy brings you a little cash each day just to hear you play? That kid is my best friend. He oves what I do, so I will do it for him as long as I am able.
Don’t feel bad dude, I thought the same thing like 35 years ago when I first heard it! Lol I feel like Curtis Loew is probably someone they actually new
“knew”..... it’s a great song, not sure they didn’t do that on purpose to get peoples attention? 😳 Smart move if that was the thought process... could be totally accidental though ?
I have been invited to parties, where all I do is sit in the background, and just "jam", or "pick". Most "PICKERS" want some drinking money to jam. Some of them are better with a wine or whiskey buzz. I've been known to go to parties, and pick and jam for cigarettes, and whiskey shots. Curtis Lowe was one of them. I wish I knew this legend that inspired a band like Lynyrd Skynyrd.
You know , I thought He was saying that too the first time i heard the song , I had to play it back just like you did to finally Understand what he was actually saying 😁
Jerry Reed, another blues/country player from the 60s had so much contact with Louisiana and Southern blacks. A LOT of his picking is based on what he learned from the guys. He wasn't allowed to play in white groups because his playing was not "normal" to them. So, he started playing in Black bars, blues joints. Good stuff when people hang out and learn from each other. God loves our colors!! 🎵
I love the song. It was the song that got me into LS. On the flag. It's a battle flag from the CW. It has been adopted by many groups as a representation of their beliefs. Some good some bad. Just like many things. I grew up with the Confederate flag in my truck window for years. No one said anything about racism until about 15 years ago. I took it off my public stuff because some of my black friends made comments it was hurtful on FB posts. Potentially divisive so better to not stoke hurt. It wasn't enough of a symbol for me to draw a line in the sand on at the time. Not sure I would have today knowing the snowball effect like tearing down statues and things that came after. I think you have to be careful of erasing history or you lose the big picture. That said for me the flag never meant support for slavery as some idiots on here claim it was. For most white southerners it was not about blacks and whites hating each other. It meant most southerners just hated northerners. 😂
It's actually the battle flag of the Army of Tennessee. There wasn't "A" Confederate battle flag. The Army of Northern Virginia (Lee's Army) flag was very similar.
Based on a true story... It was a Old Black man whom picked the Blues when he was a child. Sad thing is, their are many great musicians whom just never been heard by the right ears, or only played for the fun of it. Either way, Much Respect to Curtis Lowe and Ronnie for paying Tribute to him
Ooooh, the finest PICKER!! Lol. That flag really threw you off a little, but totally understandable. Way to hang in there. Southern rock syncretized the best elements of rock, country, and blues to create a genre worth loving.
I too am from Jacksonville and I too thought he was saying “something else” when I first heard it. I knew LS to not be prejudice or fascist also and was taken aback when I thought I heard “something else”. Also, the confederate flag is not what many people think it is. It was for them a symbol of their southern pride.
I'm glad you saw the rebel flag and gave the song a chance anyway. I never knew anyone who thought of it as a racist thing intill all this stuff they show on the news. I see it as a the flag of the south before and after the civil war. I mean the japanese didnt throw away there flag after they lost ww2.
I think it was in Gene Odums book that I read that Ronnie tried to persuade a black guitar player to join the banf after Ed King left.The guy was a friend to the band from back the day when they were playing in bars
This should teach you that all people who fly the confederate flag, isn't racist. Please do not disregard that. Bc today, everyone associates that flag with racism and thats absolutely false. Yes, some who are racist fly that flag. But the flag isnt racist.
I loved this reaction. The most honest I've ever seen. Curtis was obviously impressive for them to write a song about him. I get why you paused, hard to tell what he was saying.
I think that he is not saying picker, but "speaker", like no other bluesman he listen on radio sounded good as him. I think that this is the right one.
If every brother would give this a chance like you did, we could heal this country quickly. Lynrd Skynrd was not racist, in spite of the rebel flag. It's just southern heritage. Thanks for doing this one.
No prob
They flew the flag cause when they went overseas to play the locals would call them yankees (general term for people for the states) they wanted people to know they were from the South. They were all actually pretty liberal.
@@chrisray7849 Liberal then, isn't liberal now.
The symbol of a flag is like a living being...... It is forever changing and adapting to those who honor it. To my generation the flag stood for the love of the States we lived in, the music we listened to (Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Outlaws etc.....). We loved Families our Mamma's, our fishing, our trucks n cars,our beer, our sports and anyone who was down was always welcome. We never looked to offend anyone for we figured we were all from the same swamp (Florida) and shared the same mosquitos.😉 BTW Free bird still blows away Stairway to Heaven!😂
ACTUALY THE REBAL FLAG WAS MCA RECORDS IDEA THEY PROMOTED THAT. IT WAS NOT ANY OF THE BAND MEMBERS.
You’ll notice the style the band plays in this a rendition of old Curtis. This man meant nothing to nobody at the time but this 10 year old boy that ended up becoming one of the most iconic artists of his time
"Picker" as in guitar picker it was a tribute nothing ignorant was meant
Lol if I sing this song I make sure to emphasize the p to make sure no one mishears
Jiu-Jitsu 4 Odin facts
Jiu-Jitsu 4 Odin couldn’t agree more my friend.
You thought he said N****r word, because of a flag. Not everyone that has a Rebel flag is a Racist. Glad you looked up the lyrics so you could hear a white non racial man with a Rebel flag sing a tribute to a black man. Yes some white people are racist, just like their is some racist black people
@@bryanhale6018 we all know the song, our dads grew up listening to them and they became legendary after the plane crash in 1977, it killed the singer, Ronnie and the writer of every song they came up with. They always used the Rebel flag in their album covers and when they played live, they sing Sweet home Alabama and Free bird was their biggest hit. Ronnie's brother sings the songs Ronnie wrote now and they still use the Rebel flag. The song was about a white friend they had who would always get their glass coke bottles because Ronnie's family didn't believe in taking them to the store and cashing them in. They didn't need the money so let friends who had it harder go through their coke bottles. The guy who always got the bottles became their bodyguard when they started the band but Ronnie oneday said, I have a idea about the coke bottles. They went to their shed in the woods by the river and Ronnie already wrote the song but it didn't make sense so they changed the words to a black man they just made up. Their never was a Curtis Lowe but it was the blues so it had to be because blacks invited the blues. Sweet home Alabama was written because Neil Young wrote a song about this group because they always had a Rebel flag and Neil wrote a song called southern man and talked about when were they going to stop burning their crosses and listen to what ur good book says. When the band heard what he wrote, they had to respond. Just like a rapper would so they wrote sweet home Alabama. In the second verse they say, I heard Mr Young sing about her, I heard Ole Neil put her down. Well I hope Neil Young will remember, a southern man doesn't need him around anyhow. The lost Ronnie in 1977 and Ronnie was like another 2pac, he wrote so many songs, when he died. His brother replaced him and they are still singing the songs to this day in concerts and the same songs Ronnie wrote. They don't have knew songs, nobody is a song writer but the band still lives on and he wrote so many hits, they don't need to sing any other songs and wasn't around but 5 years and Ronnie was gone, he was one of the ones who died in the plane crash but yea, they want play a concert if someone says u can't have a Rebel flag so anyone that books the band already knows that and they always sell out any concert they do, even now and Ronnie died in 1977
If you were one of the fortunate ones as I was to actually watch them play this song live, they have Curtis’s picture on the screen behind them with his dobro. It’s a magical song that takes you back in time.
They loved Curtis Loew and saw past the skin he wore that dont matter right through to the beauty of the Blues that connected them, rather than the past Southern prejudices that divided them. Its a tribute to not only the man, but also, to changing times. Great choice, my friend. God Bless.👍🏽
Actually the only person that saw through curtiss color was the singer. His mother beat him for seeing Curtis and no one showed up to his funeral. Also curtis died poor, implying lower status.
@Jiu-Jitsu 4 Odin no it's not . It's about a colored man who plays the blues. They say it in the documentary "If I Leave Here Tomorrow". Ronnie Van Zant didn't see color he saw music and
@@Tom-jn7id think he refused to "see color" ... kids "see" what they are taught, by watching or by being taught. Nelson Mandela said that if one can teach hate then they can teach love
Exactly
Yea his name was made up, change name to protect against lawsuits.
I agree these were not racist, their use of that flag was mainly a sign they were from the south & was part of persona given to them by record company but they weren't against it because to them & most of us grew up in 60's-70's, it sidn't mean that to majority of people, the hate groups turned it into something ugly. When they played in Europe, people biught big confederate flags, they were on hats, belt buckles & shit. Tgey were proud to be from the south though & their music & others who had that sound became known as Southern Rock.
Dude, you thought you heard THAT and you still hung in for long enough to find out? That's diversity in action. Much respect.
Lol no doubt
Wiley Coyote fuck that flag
Jiu-Jitsu 4 Odin ur wrong, that song isn’t racist
@@jagdawgii929
You are right. He doesn't know what he is talking about. After they sing "In Birmingham they love the Governor" the backup singers follow it up by saying "Boo Boo Boo"
@Jiu-Jitsu 4 Odin They were *booing* Wallace.
Imagine a white band flying a Confederate flag in the 70's paying homage to a black man.
Well said
A lot of people see the flag as an anti government symbol. And I'm glad that its lost its south shall rise meaning. Race relation have a while to go for many. But not for me. Were american and were chillin.
People still do
David Howard BEAUTIFUL
@dabadadeeda So true
Thank you for the reaction - much appreciated. This song was based on true events - as were most all of their songs. The man the song is based on was a guy who the band members grew up around in the early 1960's, and interacted with on a regular basis. When they were little they rode around on bicycles collecting coke bottles to turn in for money. When they had saved up enough they would go to Mulberry Market where the man in the song hung out. They would give him all of their money so they could listen to him play music. He would play music on a Dobro guitar and would sing and use a Coca-Cola tray as a rhythm kick ( like a bass drum ). The guys fell in love with him and with his music. And is was he and others like Eddie James "Son" House Jr. and Shorty Medlocke, who were a big part of the reason these guys became musicians. The song is a love letter to the memory of a man who they adored and respected - dedicating a song to him and his memory. Which makes him live on in a musical kind of a way, and definitely inspired me to want to play guitar. As for the flag, MCA in the early 1970's launched the Sounds of the South subsidiary label, and scooped these guys up when they were teenagers. MCA decided that the flag had to be part of their stage arrangement. The band has since gotten rid of the flag and disavowed it. In their own words they never even considered being racist as they grew up in integrated communities and interacted with all different kinds of people - never caring what color skin people had. Thanks again for sharing the reaction and your thoughts - much appreciated.
Never heard the full story, I knew the man was real and so was their love for him and his amazing ability. Saw them in Fresno, Ca while in the Navy just a few months before they crashed on October, 20, 1977. It was my 20th birthday, have never been in a fight that I hurt so much afterwards. 44 years now on my birthday I raise a glass and tell Ronnie and the others that they were great and yhey are missed . Saw the remaining
Members and Johnny doing vocals in Selma, Tx at the Verizon outdoor theater, it was great for concerts. They opened for Greg Allman, (Greg you don't follow Lynyrd Skynyrd) his music was great but we had nothing left to give. People were walking out, The Who found that out in Madison Square Garden that same thing from what I hear, don't care who you are, you don't want to follow Lynyrd Skynyrd. They take you to a level that when their done, your done. You are in a euphoric state is the best I can describe it, (for the record, Johnny sounds incredibly like Ronnie, but gives his brother all the praise and glory)
Curtis is fictional it was a tribute to all the old blues players including Ricky Medlocks grandfather Shorty
It makes me feel it more when I think of the old mans influence on this 10 year old boy. And he gets to tell him how he feels with his own blues. That’s the greatest compliment a student can give to a teacher/mentor. Curtis Lowe YOURE the finest picker to EVER play the blues ... that’s love my friends
Only this generation thinks the rebel flag is racist. When I was growing up in the 70s, it just meant the south. I am not racist, nor prejudice, but I am proud of being from the south.
Shannon Pace. Hey now, I’m from this generation and I know that flag is not racist.
@@jakefisher9284 maybe not, but most of the ones who think it's racist, are from this generation.
Shannon Pace And from the shitty states like California
I'm not from this generation and I've known my whole life that this flag has represented racism. The only ones who seem to have missed the memo on this are white southerners because the black southerners knew this from the minute that flag went up a pole. Frankly it should have been banned as soon as the Confederacy surrendered. We don't fly any other government's flag on US soil and certainly not one of a country that took us to war and lost.
@@MaggieValera it's a battle flag
That's the first time it ever occurred to me that "picker" could be misheard as "something else" - especially in a song that's a tribute to the title character's talent.
Exactly!
@@jerryandrews3699 only if u are dumb as a bag of rocks I don't think the song was written before 1865 ,,come on now
@@marybright5630 Excuse me? I'd appreciate it if you could write in a complete sentence? Do you know anything about this song? The band?
People hear what they want to. He saw the confederate battle flag and automatically had a pre-determined view point.
fire1937 sad but true. Everyone is waiting with bated breath to be able to say something bad about another race
The finest picker to ever play the blues he played a dobro
The best sounding guitar is the one thats crusty as fuck and smells like 20 years of alcohol and weed lol
"'cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues."
Picker as in the strings of the Dobro.
Picker, is sort of an inside term for a guitar player. And, it actually shows respect.
What is really interesting about this track is that I gives you a background of a retired talented man. The fact that nobody turned up at his funeral really bugs me.
But here is his legacy. Thank you Curtis Loew for tuning your dobro. ☘❤
It's sad but he also wasnt a real person
Baby Dyce. Much love brother. We all need to come together! God Bless America!
the music lives on. can stand the test of time. being of that era and watching the younger generations reactions and inpact the music still has today. is awesome, thank you
Curtis Lowe will live forever through the inspiration he gave to this band.
Much respect to you for doing this. A great example of the open mindedness our world needs right now.
Skynard is unreal...long live their name...God bless their souls
Dude!! This was actually genuine!! I knew when you went back in the start why. You are so freaking appreciated for taking the second to look up the lyrics!! Mad props sir!!! 🤘😁
Curtis Loew is the reason these guys became Lynyrd Skynrd. Van Zant decided to learn to play Dobro and guitar because of this man. This song will hit you hard when you have heard it about 2 or 3 more times and you realize the impact this man had on the entire band, especially Van Zant. He absolutely was NOT useless!
@Baby Dyce THANK YOU for reviewing this!! I understand why you needed to hear the 'finest picker' part again until you could hear it clearly...makes complete sense to me.
This is truly a timeless (classic) song that EVERYONE should hear. Thank you again for taking the time to listen and comment. It is MUCH appreciated!!
I never mistook the word picker for any thing else. I don't think many people did
Lol... saw your face bro, you double clutched AND you rode her out.... got my respect son. Always appreciate any music genre or style, good for our souls and gives us something that makes ya' feel like someone else gets it.... songs of our lives. Much love sir, KUDO'S to you, straight up from a 61 yr. old white dude, raised up listening to the ol' dudes outside the back of 'The Pig Stand' in Beaumont Texas teaching me real blues and soul. It walks with me through the windows of life.
Seth Hughes
My 17 year old was in the shower singing this. He just came and asked me if it is a true story. “Yes, son. Yes, it is.” I’ve seen Skynard live twice, so he had to come ask his momma.
A Dobro is a type of guitar, commonly used in blues music, Ronnie meant pick as in picking the strings of a guitar.
Awesome song with an awesome story to tell! I've loved this song since I was a kid and I mean young kid! You rock Baby!
used to sing this to my 3 kids as I carried them through early life on my shoulders. They turned out to be great people.
Such an incredible, heartfelt tribute song... Now that you mentioned your Mom, you gotta try SIMPLE MAN!
Growing up in the late 60s/early 70s we kids would comb the ditches along country roads looking for glass bottles for money. Most bottles had return value of 5 cents and the return value of five bottles would buy a lot of candy.
Yes
He thought he said The finest NINGA !? Lmfao , that never occurred to me that someone thought there was a N-Bomb up in there ! I’m still laughing!!!
Lynard skynard not racist
My dad grew up poor in South Carolina. He'd collect bottles on the way to school and use the money to buy food. I was a kid in Charleston and used to listen to people playing music on street corners. This song calls to me. Great reaction video, thumbs up.
This song, man. it's one of the best anti-racist rock songs of all time...and I also have to use it as proof that southern rock isn't racist...I wish Ronnie Van Zant was alive to set the record straight
The song itself is about rhythm&blues at the same time it's about one of the band members grandfather bu the name of Shorty Medlocke
I usually don't like reaction videos, but I love this song so checked it out. Mr. Dyce has a natural way about him that is just plain likeable. My question is why the Hell does this guy not have more Subscribers? He got at least one new one tonight.
that was some funny shit, the first time you stopped it at "Picker" i new right where your mind went!
this song is all about how much they loved the old dude. respect!
Lol I knew what you thought when he said "PICKER" I saw the wheels turning....That flag and WHAT DID HE JUST SAY? Lol you are too funny
Lol I had to double check n pull up them lyrics
Fairly tape recordings were pretty bad its easy to mis hear lyrics on them
@@BabyDyce32 I immediately caught you too and was like he's bout to google the lyrics (shit that's what I'd do) and you went for your phone haha. The south in general gets a super bad portrayal usually from people who have never been there, let alone spent time there to where they are qualified to speak intelligently or accurately about the culture. I would contend the southeast has the friendliest people of anywhere on average and race relations are better because in the deep south, everyone is poor. Not just one group. Southerners, more so than in any other area, as blacks and whites, live next door to each other. Work together. Live TOGETHER. There are bad spots and bad folks of course but that's literally everywhere. I mean there are Nazis all over the west coast but no one just brushes Cali, Portland and Seattle off with a blanket determination of "just a bunch of racists, fuck them" like Hollywood and the media do to people living in the south.
You kept it subjective and didn't jump to conclusions. You get a sub.
This song was written about a man that the band members knew growing up. It's a true story, and a great song. You've earned a subscriber, for what it's worth.
TAKING THE TIME TO EDUCATE OUR SELVES BEFORE WE PASS JUDGEMENT IS A LOST ART IN THIS COUNTRY. WELL DONE.
Big thumbs up to you Baby Dyce because this appeared to be a genuine first listen reaction. 👏🏽. This is a great tune and LS truly puts the “DIRTY” in Dirty South Rock. That’s just how I like my rock music (Rock, Blues, Soul and Country).
I don’t like many reaction vids because you can tell they’re faking the reaction but Imma keep an eye out for yours. Subscribed!
I appreciate you. And yeah that's an on going theme on my channel, "we keep it real over here." If I heard something I'll tell you, but 100% of my reactions are genuine.
I grew up playing guitar....We use a"pick" to hit the strings.
A picker, is a way of saying guitar player...It's very respectful to be called a Picker.😎
Glad you liked the song! Thanks for playin it.
Story of a young white boy that DIDN'T judge someone by the color of their skin or his faults. He saw the good in the man and his talent. A little boy that DIDN'T go by what others thought and said about the man he called them FOOLS. This song is about seeing the good in people and NOT judging them. Ronnie Van Zant had the guts to write this and record it way back in the 70's. I'm from Alabama im 62 and have had many good friends of color in my life when i stopped listening to the FOOLS.
I love that you said Kurtis Blow. I love Lynyrd Skynyrd but I also love hip-hop, and I’ve done that 1000 times. BTW: I love that you back it up (easy, back it up) rather than just plow through not caring about the lyrics. I wish everyone would have a copy of the lyrics while they’re listening to the song. Nicely done.
“Oh, ‘picker’!” Dude, that killed me. I was kind of wondering what was throwing you off. Goddamn that was funny.
Right on, Baby Dyce. Great comments, funny as hell and true. nice re-wind to check the lyrics, and then you just let the song rip. Awesome content, back at it! Made my day that you dug it. Three thumbs up, best part was that you thought of playing it for your mom....she must be amazing.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, that's why I do it. And yes, my mom is amazing.
Excellent :)
Please look into real history of confederate flag so that you will never be offended again. ♡ it's not racial...its about the people standing up against the tyrannical govt. (The way we need to be now...united against tyranny-thats why they lie)
Be blessed ♡♡♡
jawhitaker09 thank you!
Funny...I literally just posted the same thing. Its propagamda to say its racist. The flag has a history the goes back way befor the slavery issue.
Its complicated!! Not that simple!! Most southern people were poor and 99% never owned slaves. They were brainwashed and brought into a war they did not start. The one part of that war that I have pride in is the fact that southerners however brainwashed out gunned and out manner fought like hell to the end. Also what people call the Confederate flag was never the Confederate flag. It was the flag they carried in battle.
With that said...the song is a true story and what inspired Van Zant to be a musician. No Curtis Lowe no Ronnie Van Zant.
@@SacredWaves no it doesn't
It was played on my porch many of times while we all picked beans and chucked corn. Good Ole days as a farmers daughter. Damn good Southern Rock. They were the true good ole boys. Wild as hell but even more awesome!awesome
I think this song was a kind and long overdue tribute to so many forgotten black musicians from that era. They should be venerated.
ABSOLUTELY BROTHER.
Always been one of my favorite. I've seen these guys 4 times. They had the best crowd DVER!! They were just calm laid back and a joint passed all around. Love my boys.
Some still take off our hats when this song plays out of respect for the band, the song and Curtis.
You laughed when he said "the black mans blues", truth is Ronnie Van Zant knew that black blues started "all" of American music, rock, jazz, and even country. Big Band, Ragtime and of course pop, all were from black based music, slave and gospel, blues, rhythm and blues, then rock and roll. Country was started in the south when Irish and English folk songs were blended into the rythm and harmony of black blues. The Carter family were one of the first to record country, and Maybelle Carter was given rcognition for playing rhythm and melodie until the truth finaly was told that she was taught by an African American by the name of Lesley Riddle, which also helped the carter family to get their "sound". When asked how he learned it, he claimed it had been played by black blues players for years. Van Zant as well as the guitarists of Skynyrd had a deep admiration for blues players, and you can hear it in their music, but Ronnie always wanted to learn from the masters, not hand me downs, and thats why he states the black mans blues, because blacks OWN the blues, they made it, they lived it, and it is theirs, bar none.....
I give you 100% respect because you kept listening
Amazing song. Curtis was a great dobro player! He knew how to play the blues. Great song. "Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues..."🎵 The kid in the song would hang out with Curtis and ask him to play him a song. Just think, sweet tea, front porch, people hanging out. Good stuff. Thanks for your review!
This is one of my all time Favorites from Lynyrd Skynyrd!! Real Bluesy!!
Us southern boys don't care where ya from, or what you look like, as long as you can play some good blues and bring some feel. You can be neon green, we don't care. This is from a white Mississippi boy that thinks blues is king. You do you, man. The new generation dgaf about skin color. Make me feel some blues and I'll buy you a drink. Cheers.
Many blacks died and overcome the confederacy, I wouldn’t consider it racist, though many people do, so many Africans were empowered and prevailed over the flag, and the song is literally a heartfelt song about a revolutionary black man from white confederate classic rock. Respect! ✌🏽
He was a real man who they listened to when they were young
State rights, not racism. Blacks fought proudly for the south because it was their fucking land too. Lets come together and learn what the southern states were actually opposing my fam. #onelove
This is one of my favorite Skynyrd songs (and I have lyrics from Simple Man tattooed on me), and songs in general.
It's all about love and respect! Skynyrd doesn't stand for racism or hate.
Peace, Love, Unity & Respect everyone! Stay safe, and take care of each other!
this is my remixed soundcloud version fam
This old black gentleman is who taught him to play guitar so it was totally a respectful ode to his friend.
This dude got his head on straight! Even with a buzz he has the composure of a Jedi. Just flip the script and tell me if you would enjoy this song like he did. Not gonna go bump this everyday no doubt. But I bet we look at life a little more wiser through someone else's eyes. We need understanding like this. One love✊✌️👍🤙🖖👌🤌
I’m from Georgia and we called it the rebel flag. Among the young (white) kids, it was seen as an act of rebellion against authority, teachers, parents etc. I can well see why you would be put off by this flag. Skynyrd are good guys. Their promoters and managers pushed that southern thing and the flag. It’s unfortunate, really. Good reaction.
Lisa Michelle your a fool... I was around in early skynard days and all their fans including them worse and rep the confederate flag.... the southerners were the originals on working with black people.... some of the worst racial tension events happened in the north back them
I’m 15 and I love the flag
This song is awesome. Loved sharing it with ya my friend!
Thank you for posting this and reacting to, it. I was 15 when this song came out
Me and my dad karaoke this song the other night, respect bro love equality and we don't want seperation
Curtis Loew was a real man and this was Ronnie Van Zandts memorial to him. So will never forget him. It Worked!
Finest Picker to ever play the blues. Back in the day they called string musicians pickers.
This song has a cool spin that little kids just loved the old mans music. They didn’t see anything else. We all could use a little of the kid vision at times
Cause Ronnie your the finest singer ,to ever moan the blues. Rip RVZ
Finest "picker" to ever play the blues! Man I never even thought of that sounded so close to something else! Lol... props for looking it up and enjoying the song
I'm glad you found out that flag didn't automatically mean hate!!!!! All men were created equal !!!!
A great song. I love music. It brings people together. I am a white man and I love Earth Wind and Fire
I'm not a very good writer so I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. The Confederate Flag did not always stand for racism. In my mind, it still doesn't. It used to be a symbol of Southern pride, white and black's speaking out against the tyranny of the Federal Government. Many older black people will tell you this. The flag let the folks in Washington know that southerners do not want city folks living thousands of miles away telling us how to live. The Confederate flag became a symbol of hate because the KKK, the Skinheads, and other racist white supremacists groups started using if at their demonstrations and in their meeting places etc. It's sad really. It's not the only symbol that was stolen and twisted into something evil. The Swastica was a religious symbol until the Nazi's started using it. It is still forbidden in Germany. The Confederate flag did not always mean "I hate black people". It used to mean, "I hate the federal government pushing us around.".
www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591
www.history.com/news/5-things-you-may-not-know-about-lincoln-slavery-and-emancipation
The imagery of the tune paints quite the picture. I know the actual Curtis was Shorty Medlocke, but see the scene in your head for a moment: A little boy brings you a little cash each day just to hear you play? That kid is my best friend. He oves what I do, so I will do it for him as long as I am able.
Crank it up in here
I've had a blast
It's been my pleasure
⚔️💚💚⚔️💖💖⚔️💙💙⚔️
Don’t feel bad dude, I thought the same thing like 35 years ago when I first heard it! Lol I feel like Curtis Loew is probably someone they actually new
“knew”..... it’s a great song, not sure they didn’t do that on purpose to get peoples attention? 😳 Smart move if that was the thought process... could be totally accidental though ?
I have been invited to parties, where all I do is sit in the background, and just "jam", or "pick". Most "PICKERS" want some drinking money to jam. Some of them are better with a wine or whiskey buzz. I've been known to go to parties, and pick and jam for cigarettes, and whiskey shots. Curtis Lowe was one of them. I wish I knew this legend that inspired a band like Lynyrd Skynyrd.
I'd give anything to hear Old Curtis to play those blues!!!
You know , I thought He was saying that too the first time i heard the song , I had to play it back just like you did to finally Understand what he was actually saying 😁
Best song ever.. cuts me to the bone yes sir!!! I thought I see you dancing jammin. I always do to this song and a good story
Jerry Reed, another blues/country player from the 60s had so much contact with Louisiana and Southern blacks. A LOT of his picking is based on what he learned from the guys. He wasn't allowed to play in white groups because his playing was not "normal" to them. So, he started playing in Black bars, blues joints. Good stuff when people hang out and learn from each other. God loves our colors!! 🎵
I love the song. It was the song that got me into LS. On the flag. It's a battle flag from the CW. It has been adopted by many groups as a representation of their beliefs. Some good some bad. Just like many things.
I grew up with the Confederate flag in my truck window for years. No one said anything about racism until about 15 years ago. I took it off my public stuff because some of my black friends made comments it was hurtful on FB posts. Potentially divisive so better to not stoke hurt. It wasn't enough of a symbol for me to draw a line in the sand on at the time. Not sure I would have today knowing the snowball effect like tearing down statues and things that came after. I think you have to be careful of erasing history or you lose the big picture.
That said for me the flag never meant support for slavery as some idiots on here claim it was. For most white southerners it was not about blacks and whites hating each other. It meant most southerners just hated northerners. 😂
it was the left that started all that crap.. with the battle flag
It's actually the battle flag of the Army of Tennessee. There wasn't "A" Confederate battle flag. The Army of Northern Virginia (Lee's Army) flag was very similar.
@@rockinredneck57 historic relevance learned. Thanks.
Dude, I love your genuine response to this tune. In spite of the confederate flag, Ronnie was a straight up dude.
Based on a true story... It was a Old Black man whom picked the Blues when he was a child. Sad thing is, their are many great musicians whom just never been heard by the right ears, or only played for the fun of it. Either way, Much Respect to Curtis Lowe and Ronnie for paying Tribute to him
Ooooh, the finest PICKER!! Lol. That flag really threw you off a little, but totally understandable. Way to hang in there. Southern rock syncretized the best elements of rock, country, and blues to create a genre worth loving.
The first time I heard that too lol
I’m from Jacksonville where they are both from and lynrard skyrnaed owes him for his career
Its lynyrd skynyrd and curtis loew is a made up person but one of the family members from a band member inspired the song
I too am from Jacksonville and I too thought he was saying “something else” when I first heard it. I knew LS to not be prejudice or fascist also and was taken aback when I thought I heard “something else”. Also, the confederate flag is not what many people think it is. It was for them a symbol of their southern pride.
I'm glad you saw the rebel flag and gave the song a chance anyway. I never knew anyone who thought of it as a racist thing intill all this stuff they show on the news. I see it as a the flag of the south before and after the civil war. I mean the japanese didnt throw away there flag after they lost ww2.
Love Lynard Skynard and love this song
🤣🤣🤣🤣 oh, "he said picker. We good." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that alone earned a subscribe.
I think it was in Gene Odums book that I read that Ronnie tried to persuade a black guitar player to join the banf after Ed King left.The guy was a friend to the band from back the day when they were playing in bars
Trucking through the the south in the 80s Black Truckers flew the confederate flag on their rigs, most people weren’t uptight about everything
This should teach you that all people who fly the confederate flag, isn't racist. Please do not disregard that. Bc today, everyone associates that flag with racism and thats absolutely false. Yes, some who are racist fly that flag. But the flag isnt racist.
helping mom in the garden, good on you brother.
"2:30" hahahaha, I'm glad you looked it up so you could enjoy the song.
I luv Lynard Skynard I grew up listening to bo I’m a huge fan of him
I loved this reaction. The most honest I've ever seen. Curtis was obviously impressive for them to write a song about him. I get why you paused, hard to tell what he was saying.
I think that he is not saying picker, but "speaker", like no other bluesman he listen on radio sounded good as him. I think that this is the right one.
It’s 2019 I don’t care for it long as they respect me n I respect them, just like the blood n cribs 🤔
The band wasn't racist they were just proud that they we're from the south, have a great day, bro !!!