Lynyrd Skynyrd, a band that has endured its share of tragedy over the years, has decided to come to the aid of a charity designed to honor the victims of the shootings at Columbine High School. The Florida-based band will perform a special benefit concert for the Never Forgotten Fund on Aug. 10.

According to the band's management, Skynyrd became involved when their friend, rock promoter Barry Fey, and former Denver Bronco quarterback John Elway alerted them to the NFF, an organization that will award annual scholarships to twelve Colorado students and one teacher per year. The band agreed to perform two sets at Denver's Fillmore Auditorium. The first set, which airs between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST, will be simulcast in the digital music departments of 2,100 Wal-Mart stores. If your local Wal-Mart doesn't have a digital music section, don't despair: the chain will also air the concert on their in-store radio network in all of their stores. After the southern rockers finish their hour-long set, Skynyrd's CMC Records labelmates Nazareth will perform, followed by another set by Skynyrd.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 30, for $22.50 at all Ticketmaster locations. "We're just hoping that just this small gesture on our part can help in some way. Not just financially, but emotionally," said Skynyrd lead singer Johnny Van Zant.

JAAN UHELSZKI
(June 28, 1999)