Lynyrd Skynyrd The Ballad of Curtis Loew REACTION VIDEO

[@arwenguitarplayer963]

This is such a great song. The little blonde hair white boy looked up to that ol black man, and was inspired by him. Very American.

[@Airborne-80]

Ol Curtis could never have imagined that he not only inspired one of our greatest musicians...but that he would still be influencing people and stirring emotions in 2023 and beyond. Rest in peace brother Curtis 🙏

[@keithsexton1263]

He wasn't a real person, Curtis Loew was a mixture of a few that inspired Ronnie

[@conniekat3424]

This song is a perfect example of the exquisite marriage between Southern rock & blues...this song & AC/DC's Ride On are my two favs mixes of rock & blues!

[@TheAdventuresofTNT]

Connie, this song reminded me of ACDC so much. I didn't want to say anything because I wasn't sure but you confirmed it.

[@bendyrland7213]

The influence the "The Black Man's Blues" has had on American (and British) music cannot be overstated. It's fingerprints are everywhere. Hell, even Nirvana covered Lead Belly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" for it's MTV Unplugged set. Kurt Cobain respected and admired Lead Belly very much.

[@TheCashcrue]

Ride On is definitely one of my favorite songs by AC/DC.

[@richardalbert7506]

Ride on👍🤘 Cinderella " shelter me" is another one.

[@robschroeder5377]

AC DC, at its root, is blues. High Voltage Blues

[@marvinabigby5509]

Empathy and compassion are in short supply

[@marvinabigby5509]

I remember picking up soda bottles.We didn't get an allowance so we started at 5 yes picking up bottles to cash in Love this song.

[@janetjasven9808]

Yep! Going around the neighborhood collecting bottles, cashing them and buying a ton of penny candy! 😂🥰

[@brianadams429]

10 cent a piece for the bottles

[@paulprovenzano3755]

I did that, to save for a rebuilt second-hand lawn-mower. I was eleven.

[@jbyrd0861]

I did cans. Momma helped and encouraged me. I did not know it at the time, but I was cleaning up many roadways, and earned some coin.

[@jbyrd0861]

I did the same. My Mom encouraged it. Stopped at 4 ways to let me out.

[@joejohnston3591]

Curtis Loew, a human jukebox!

[@MrShizzy1337]

Not only Skynrd's best song, but truly one of the greatest songs of all time

[@JesseJames-vc2bm]

Truth!!! LS was real, for the common people.

[@touchstoneaf]

I'm so glad that there are people actually reacting to this song. As far as I'm concerned it's the best one they ever did and it never fails to bring me to tears.

[@otto5580]

It’s amazing

[@Airborne-80]

Same. I'm now 60 and teas are falling......as they did while in the Army as a young Paratrooper.

[@99cachorro]

Respect your elders, sometimes the whole in life they leave can't be filled

[@lanzinator4734]

This song gives me chills. So many people died in obscurity who influenced the "greats"

[@keithjames7843]

I live in Ga and when they first opened underground Atlanta My girlfriend and I went to check it out and have some fun We was walking around and I heard this harmonica and guitar playing some slow blues and I had to go and see who this was and to amazement It was just one man and he sounded so good He sounded like he had a whole band But it was just him with his guitar and harmonica and He blowed me away I didn’t care if we even seen anymore of underground Atlanta Because this guy was playing the heck out of both of these guys instruments When we finally left I told my girlfriend that I knew exactly what Ronnie was talking about when he wrote Curtis Low I had my girlfriend laughing so hard talking about this musician All I could think about was the song Curtis Low Because it was an older black man and he was killing this fender guitar and harmonica and I told my girlfriend I said man Curtis Low didn’t die he just moved to Atlanta Ga Man we had such a great time listening to this man playing the blues I love the blues It’s by far my favorite music and I want ever forget that night

[@Tuesdays_Gone]

I did a Skynyrd tour with Ronnie Van Zant’s friend and the band’s security manager, Gene Odom. I have my picture with Gene, in front of the store where they cashed their bottles in. They tore the store down not long ago.

[@90hatter90]

Dang I just watched a video the other day of a couple who go around showing different places in the US and they showed the Van Zant home and store. It must have been real recently that store was torn down. What’s crazy is it looked like a fairly modern like store. I was expecting an old back country store.

[@Tuesdays_Gone]

@@90hatter90, I think it was about six months ago that I saw Gene posted about it. He managed to get a cinderblock from the building, a sign and some other stuff. I wish I could post the picture. The store name was Woodcrest, I think.

[@trentupchurch5414]

I did the tour with Gene back in June. He showed us the lot where the store was. Great tour I highly recommend it for any true fan.

[@metalmark1214]

You make good points Tasha. Just because you are popular doesn't mean you are the most talented.

[@lesliejohnson1090]

Lynyrd Skynyrd " got the same old blues" AND "I need you"🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@brendaclark8344]

The soda bottles are the glass soda bottles (before can and plastic) and you would cash them in any store for 5 cents in my day. It doesn't sound like much but in the day penny candy was actually a penny.

[@ronnywestberry9503]

yeah you could get about $1.20 per case. All drinks were glass so bottles were every where you could easily get 4-5 dollars in a morning of searching. In todays money that would be $15 or more.

[@michellehubbard7865]

I always got,tootsie rolls,and fireballs,and bubble gum.my little brother got 14 stitches in his arm ,fell up the steps at the store,with both arms full of bottles,he came home and asked mom for a bandaid, mom said, bandaid hell,er they went,memories .

[@TheAdventuresofTNT]

Lol, damn. Sounds like me and my little brother. We were always tearing up shit and ending up at the Er.

[@BS-Outdoors1320]

​@@ronnywestberry9503for me here in Florida it was $.84 per 8 pack of bottles with the carrier.

[@AngelofSunday]

Probably the most tragic loss of band members of all time. They were in their prime and KILLING IT every show!! Great song and review!!

[@FerretJohn]

A Dobro, for those who don't know, is an American brand of resonator guitars, currently owned by Gibson and manufactured by its subsidiary Epiphone. The term "dobro" is also used as a generic term for any wood-bodied, single-cone resonator guitar.

[@peacetoyou63]

This song and The Breeze have always been my favorites from LS. While all my friends were crazy over Freebird; this was my jam. One day I met a young man who felt the same way about the songs I loved. Forty two years later and we’re still together! ✌🏼♥️🎶

[@fredshred5194]

JJ Cale song.

[@janicegodfrey8650]

Me too!

[@salovel23]

Beautiful story, good for you ma'm

[@allendixon7700]

​@@janicegodfrey8650Searching searching, that's the song, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Does it searching searching

[@allendixon7700]

​@@fredshred5194Searching is the song Lynyrd Skynyrd. It's the song everybody's searching for searching the song and scared I do it

[@marleneclausen30]

The very best Skynyrd cut, IMHO. Big fan of this group and this is my favorite. Thank you for reacting to it, very few have.

[@dixiefletcher1539]

We used to get on the horses and look for bottles! I am 76, brings back a lot of memories.

[@BST-lm4po]

I appreciate that you let the entire song play through before evaluating it. Some reaction couples stop a song repeatedly, taking away the flow of the song! I like your style better! 👍🤘

[@phil5762]

Just so you know, it wasn’t can. Bottles used to have a 3 cent deposit on them. This is what the reference is regarding

[@danjohnson2986]

This is a song that literally puts you in that kids shoes. Great react

[@robertj2444]

I believe the bass player wrote this song. Curtis was named after one of the band member's grandpas that they used to listen to him play the guitar. The rest was a mix of people they met growing up in Jacksonville.

[@hog7203]

I've been listening to Skynyrd since their debut album came out. Really thought I'd be tired of hearing them after all these years but still listen to them. They're music is just too damn good. Love their deep cuts like Made in the Shade, Things Going On etc even better than their hits. It's great to see other generations of folks appreciating their music. Always enjoy y'all's reactions.

[@michaelmulherin9952]

'i know a little song' up against any r and b song PERIOD.....

[@tedd8055]

The innocence of children.

[@williamsorg2473]

He turned in soda bottles! Back in the day we got a dime per glass bottle from a store!

[@deel2621]

I remember those days well.

[@deanbrunner261]

I think we got 10 cents for the regular bottles and 15 for the bigger quart? Size

[@williamsorg2473]

@@deanbrunner261 That sounds about right it's been a long time lol

[@deanbrunner261]

@@williamsorg2473 oops outing how old we are😁😁😁

[@genetodd1643]

"I Know A Little" would be a great song for you to do next by Skynyrd.

[@michellehammock3023]

My favorite Skynard song.

[@segomatu7063]

I discovered this amazing Rock band in 1977 when I was 16, the year they crashed in a plane ! Yes, Great band, and I think that all was said about them, at least here in France, about racism with the southern flag and all that kind of stuff is just BS ! Great Band, Great Music, Great guitar riffs, I'm 60 and I still LOVE to hear them ! A southern Man from France ! Rock the Universe !!

[@traciburge5636]

I’m from East Texas. I remember my youth with southern rock while fishing the Sabine River, or cutting hay, riding backroads😂😂😂 music is my conduit to life ❤ love being able to experience it with you ❤

[@robl.2047]

Great, Great song nice choice guys👍

[@Big_Al_63]

I know that I am about 8 months late but this is hands down my favorite Skynyrd song.

[@timgard7091]

Ronnie, Great American poet❤

[@jayjordan7104]

It's a combination of one of the band member's grandfather, Shorty Medlocke, and blues guitarists such as Sunhouse that Ronny Van Zant admired and heard in Jacksonville. Van Zant was a working man's, every day person's storyteller. A Skynyrd song you may not have reviewed is Needle and the Spoon or I Know a Little (about love)

[@rogerrowles8702]

Shorty Medlocke Was His Name . HE WAS RICKIE Medlockes Dad!! When RONNIE WAS ABOUT 12 OR 13 HE WOULD GO THERE AND ENJOY SHORTY,S HARMONIICA PLAYING..NOT DOBRO..RICKY WAS A EARLY DRUMMER IN THE BAND BEFORE BOB BURNS..RICKIE LATER BECAME A CO -GUITARIST IN. L.SKN..U CAN HEAR SHORTY PLAY ON A COUPLE OF BLACKFOOT Songs Including"Train,Train" CIRCA 1976..ETC..

[@jayjordan7104]

@@rogerrowles8702 Dude, there are receipts - such as pictures of Shorty playing a Dobro (and banjo and harmonica). There are interviews on film and paper. There are the liner notes to Second Helping in which Shorty is listed AMONG other black artists who inspired the song. And Highway Song is better than those you listed. PS writing in caps isn't authoritative.

[@louisdavila7920]

You’re 100% correct Jay. Like many others, I used to think that Curtis Loew was an actual person, but in reality, was a composite of Ricky Medlock’s dad combined with some of the old school black bluesmen. He was created with a stroke of genius and the way that Skynyrd told the story in song, makes him come to life, so it’s no surprise that many thought that Curtis Loew was an actual person.

[@theriomrasputin8233]

Tashas' comment about looking a certain way rings true. Thats the entire truth of Milli Vanilli. They hired 2 good looking performers to lip-sync to other peoples singing. Because those singers did not fit into a look. Sadly, the truth came out. And eventually it led to one of the guys taking their own life.

[@Cfullerrrr]

Loved y’all reaction! What a song and story! Embodies southern culture. Love and togetherness contrary to what many believe.

[@LJA46]

The depth of songwriting and storytelling from the 60's and 70's, and even into the 80's, is the reason this music stands the test of time. It warms my heart to see young people experience this great music! Keep up the great work! Here are a few hidden gems you will definitely enjoy: Things Going On, I Got The Same Old Blues, On The Hunt, Gimme Back My Bullets.

[@zatoichi101]

When I was a boy, I lived in the country, and we would walk up and down the road all day to get bottles and cans, so we could take them to the store and cash them in. Those bottles and cans were like gold to me as a boy. The imagery in this song is striking. And this song IS based on his experiences as a boy, but Curtis Loew in this song was actually a composite of several people he knew as a kid.

[@Biteme221]

It all started with African American people thank you for music ❤

[@KOA_GOBstopper]

It didn't start with African Americans. It just wasn't any good before them 😂😂😂

[@jeffreysimmons1084]

Amen Sir

[@Renee_009]

I've seen Skynyrd in concert 3 times (still have my concert tee from 1987!) and this was never on the set list, but is one of my absolute favorites. Another that's lesser known but great is I Need You. You can't go wrong with Skynyrd, so many great tunes, some just to kick back for easy listening and some that will have you dancing. That Smell, Gimme Back my Bullets, Needle and the Spoon, Working for MCA, Tuesday's Gone, just sooo many great songs. Southern Rock and storytelling at it's best.

[@Renee_009]

@@nonyabusiness9833 I saw them in Nashville. Great Show!!

[@snafubar5491]

Concert tee from 87??? Ohhhh, ya'll mean the wish-they-were Skynyrd band. The original band was so much more than the other band of the same name. I know. I saw them a few more than three times starting in 74 til they crashed.......the day the music died.

[@Renee_009]

@@snafubar5491 Damn man, chill. At the time I was barely 17 so not much of a chance to see the original band... and yeah I know it could never be the same without Ronnie, Steve and Cassie, but Johnny and crew did a damn god job. That concert rocked. Fun fact: my dad had the original "flame" cover for Street Survivors before it was recalled following the plane crash (a mysterious foreshadowing, possibly? Who knows.) Creepy nonetheless but a cool thing to have.

[@snafubar5491]

@@Renee_009.....I would suggest ya'll take ya'lls own advice......and chill. As much as they may have tried to rekindle the original sound, they just didn't have the fire the original band had is all Imma sayin. Yes, I saw the 'new' group, but they couldn't hold a candle to the original. Now imagine being 17, at a concert in the Heart of Dixie, hearing the first few licks and Ronnie saying "TURN IT UP"..................just had to be there, I reckon.

[@Renee_009]

@@snafubar5491 Alright alright, you win and maybe we can all just chill. I get what you're saying and I agree. It was never lost on me that I wasn't seeing the band in its original, legendary form. I know there can be no comparison, but it is what it is. All these years later the "new" band keeps the music going, paying homage to the original band, and keeping their memories and their music alive. To me, that's what it's all about.

[@michaelarrowood4315]

Song makes me cry every time. I do think it was a true memory from Ronnie van Zandt's childhood... so respectful for the blues, the artistry.

[@otto5580]

I kn every word.. boys Classic Skynyrd I remember the first time I heard this song My reaction was what took so long for me to find this my favorite part is at the end when he sings straight to Curtis and tells him.. you are the greatest picker to ever play. You are Curtis.!!

[@allmirth1583]

This is my favorite Skynyd song. Great music and a touching story, Enjoyed this reaction. Thanks!

[@tonyhomant244]

The mighty Skynyrd.

[@CharlesWalker-sf8td]

I was fortunate enough to be able to hear them play that live in Atlanta at the Fox Theater when they recorded the album one more from the road excellent concert

[@benvasilinda9729]

Ronnie Van Zant wrote this song out of respect to a handful of the blues players that he looked up to. One of the best storytellers of all time, while he left us to soon, he left us with enough to enjoy for many years.

[@fredtello]

Music is love

[@ericanderson8886]

Really good song, love that slide guitar.

[@randyhochstein8455]

You are so right about the music industry placing more importance on looks and image and what (they think) will sell more records and advertising than on actual talent. Strange days indeed. ✌🏼😎

[@randallclemons8638]

You guys made me smile and brought a rese to my eye. People playing music together, I wish you could experience. It's a drug. The best high I ever had in my life never came from drugs. It was just playing music with other people. Just something you have to experience.

[@Teresia12]

I lovethis song. Of all their songs this one hits me different. We had a service station where an older man was just like Curtis Lowe. He would say his only name was James. This was in 1963 until we moved in 1967. We lived on the outskirts of Nashville. We'd gather up coke bottles to get the money to get him to play. He gave me my love of the blues.

[@kelleewolfe2834]

Always love your reactions!

[@rudedogmat]

Most of all he showed him respect

[@wayneclendenen2036]

When I was a teenager I stopped at our neighborhood store and the owner was apoplectic...It seems he kept his pop bottle returns behind the store and some little kid kept coming in all morning with a wagon full of bottles at 2 cents a piece...The problem was he was getting his bottles behind the store and bringing back up to the front...Love you guys!!!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Oh yeah, and you mentioned that you had already checked out a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd and one that doesn't get suggested very often but somehow I always think of when I listen to The Ballad Of Curtis Loew, is a beautiful song called Railroad song. It just talks about the days of hobos and Jimmy Rogers and bums roaming the tracks and catching rides on trains and playing music, kind of the rail road equivalent to street performers.

[@oldschool3484]

That song is bittersweet..

[@xJRx77]

Besides your taste in music and the real feel reactions, the reason I love you guys is how you “feel” the song.

[@sheripetrey4257]

I love all thier songs!!!!

[@briancharters8720]

Listened to this over and over … it moves me to tears… guess that’s just me, but it moves my heart… both the story and the wonderful guitar picking

[@michaelmoore5220]

This was not about a street performer, or homeless person. It was about the Manager of the general store in the town where they grew up. the name of him was changed for his privacy and to protect the grave where he was buried.

[@chrisrose_krii_lun_aus]

Great song. Probably my favorite Lynard Skynard song.

[@Boc68]

Second Helpin is my favorite Skynyrd albumn.

[@rdobery]

New Orleans recently lost a music icon, Grandpa Elliott. The organization, Playing For Change just released a tribute to him. If you are not familiar with Playing For Change you are missing out on the spirit of music. All Along The Watchtower is one of my favorites from them, but The Weight is pure awesomeness.

[@traviscook5768]

This song gives me chills every time I hear it

[@kevinbrady6075]

Great commetary! I agree100% !

[@carlprince2866]

This is one of my favorite Skynard songs . also four walls of raiford

[@cinnamon962]

I think every small town in the Deep South had a Curtis Lowe somewhere about. Usually not in a great part of town, hence mama used to whoop me. On a side note: y’all are such an adorable couple. But Tasha, you are gorgeous sweetheart. IJS. Watching from Tupelo Mississippi ✌️❤️🇺🇸

[@robertutes4850]

this song was Ronnies tribute to ALL the Blues Players that have come and gone over all the years, he just used the name Curtis Loew... back in the 60s and 70s, we would walk around and pick up coke bottles and other types of bottles and take them to the store - turn them in - and on the side of it, it would say how much redemption it was ie. 5cents

[@TexasCountryWaylon]

Please give Mr. Banker by Lynyrd Skynyrd a listen. It’s in my opinion one of the best blues songs ever written!

[@cynthiacampbell7433]

Yes this is amazing.

[@dennisstonebrink1215]

One of my all time favorites....im 69 now. Remember when it came out. Loved lynard skynard

[@rogercoles3973]

The song is based on two people. I think the first was Lightning Hopkins and the other was Shorty Medlock the grandfather of current Skynyrd guitar player Rickey Medlock. Ronnie and Rickey would sit on Shorty' front porch when they were young and listen to Shorty play.

[@debbiel.1655]

I loved ya'lls reaction to this. So much truth to what you say. And I am from the outskirts of New Orleans and still consider my self so lucky to get to go to New Orleans anytime..it is such a great vibe with all the music and good food

[@angeladawson8424]

Simple Man, Coming Home, and Lucky Man are my favorites of them. No one does c.h and l.m. only reactions to Simple Man in you tube.

[@scottbeaton1519]

That is my favorite song by Lynyrd Skynyrd

[@roberttoews2775]

Great song and great review/reaction! You guys make a great pair too! 👍

[@rickg1976]

T, I promise you will LOVE not only “I Know a Little,” which someone has suggested, but also “You Got That Right.” Promise. I’ve really enjoyed watching you discover all the great Rock that I grew up with and still listen to to this day. Keep rockin’!

[@Craig-fc6fn]

One of there best.

[@tomfoil5590]

Y'all should check out the song Was I Right or Wrong, by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It tells a story, much like this one does. Would love to see your reactions.

[@2dashville]

Tom T Hall also has a song called I remember the day Clayton Delaney died.

[@angeldesigns1385]

“Needle and the spoon” is just one more genuinely Honest song under their belt🚀✨🚀✨🚀

[@gdmjs]

t's face cracks me the hell up, he is feeling this damn song!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

What an interesting reaction. I'm not sure why KZbin put this in my feed, I've been on an Elvis kick listening to First Reactions to Elvis Presley and also I am a huge Lynyrd Skynyrd fan and a long time musician and band member myself and so KZbin must have figured that I should take a look at this. I'm glad I did. Too many great things to react to in this react video. I could type for hours. Everything from comments about manufacturing celebrities to Street musicians to among the very many instruments that I play and have played live with in bands is trumpet, which after piano was the second instrument I learned as a kid and I still like playing it to this day even though I mostly play guitar and sing and other things.

[@gretchenboyd7186]

Beautiful review, thank you.

[@timtravasos2742]

An example of the kind of people and tragic lives that make The South special.

[@reverentcavaliers7579]

your reaction is amazingly precious. Thank you.

[@davidoistrash]

You guys should check out whiskey Myers. Ballad of a southern man, or broken window serenade. Trailer we call home is great to

[@SacredWaves]

Story is.. this is the man that taught and inspired him to play.

[@pamagnolia]

Fabulous song!! Love Skynyrd!! Thanks guys!! 😊

[@George-kv6gm]

So sad, so good. One of the best songs I've ever listened to. Thanks!

[@megatellica9177]

Love Lynyrd Skynyrd great reaction you guys look great hope all is well. Thank for asking how me and my wife were means alot. Great reaction guys 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️☮️💯

[@joeyricefried9621]

His impact will live on forever.

[@Tommy-pm5hs]

T for Texas. Great song.

[@uroktim]

LOVE this song! Reminds me of my childhood..

[@realbser1956]

LS fans know this song but maybe not the casual fan. Great song and thanks for reacting again and sharing with Tasha. ✌️

[@Charityf100]

I played flute! 1st chair! Hey, girl!

[@chrystiholt5273]

This is my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song ❤️💜

[@garygoodman4342]

I know this song is about a bunch of people in the bands life. But every time I hear it I think of Hank Williams, Sr. He was taught to play by a black street guitar picker named Tee Tot. Without Tee Tot, there would have been no Hank Williams. Hank Jr wrote a tribute song to him call Tee Tot.

[@Rocker1983]

I always think of that too.