ION INDIE MAGAZINE July 2015, Volume 14 | Page 146

Blazing New Trails with THE VAN ZANT LEGACY CONTINUES! By Kiki Plesha The term “First Family” usually brings to mind a lot of pomp and circumstance…perhaps even strains of “Hail to the Chief” might echo in the recesses of the mind. However, when it comes to the “First Family of Southern Rock”, one might conjure up the image of masses of concert-goers flicking their Bics and shouting “Free Bird!” It would also be fair to assume that one name—and one name only—would reign supreme in the “Southern Rock Royalty” category…and it is VAN ZANT. Now, here comes a group hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, whose legacy boasts some pretty prestigious roots that stretch far and dig deep. And just like their uncles (by the name of Johnny, Ronnie and Donnie) that blazed the path before them, “LIL” RONNIE (named after his Uncle--the late RONNIE VAN ZANT of LYNYRD SKYNYRD) MORRIS and ROBBIE MORRIS (formerly of the JOHNNY VAN ZANT BAND) have joined forces in a course that one could say was set in destiny. Drummer Robbie Morris was baptized by fire when he turned pro at the age of 14 to tour with his Uncle Johnny Van Zant. For 16 years he honed his craft alongside his uncle; all the while coming into his OWN style. Forging a new trail, he and brother Ronnie (lead vocals) now carry that tenacious torch like rebel soldiers riding into battle…accompanied by a fierce band of brothers that are poised to storm the nation’s stages in true Van Zant style. That band is called SHANYTOWN. Shanytown is comprised of a collective of stellar musicians; each bringing to the table a notable history forged in Southern Rock and Country. The result is a mash up of sound that stands its ground. The men of Shanytown are: Ronnie Morris/lead vocals, Robbie Morris/drums (Johnny Van Zant Band), Duane Johnson/guitar (Confederate Outlaw), Robbie Gay/guitar (Johnny Van Zant Band) and Charles Moody/bass (The Bellamy Brothers, Loretta Lynn). And the result of this collective is a propensity for kicking ass, taking names--and making no apologies! It’s Southern Rock, y’all…that’s how they do… I had the pure delight to have a good old fashioned “sit down” with Robbie Morris and Duane Johnson, and it sort of went something like this… Kiki: What is the meaning of “Shanytown”, and how does that word relate to the band? RM: The word “Shanytown” refers to the Westside of Jacksonville--which is what my uncle RONNIE VAN ZANT called the area. The Van Zants were raised on the Westside. We eliminated the "T", making it Shanytown instead of “Shantytown”.