Van Zant Rocks the Country Scene

Van Zant photo courtesy of Columbia Records

October 10, 2007 — When Donnie and Johnny Van Zant sat down to write songs for their new album, My Kind of Country, they did it just the way they do for their rock albums, The Tennessean reports.

Johnny also tours as Lynyrd Skynyrd's lead singer, singing the songs his brother Ronnie first made famous, while Donnie is the lead singer of .38 Special. But both say there's no difference in the way they approach material for van Zant and the other bands.

"Songwriting is about spontaneity and having fun," Johnny said. "The kind of songs that work for Van Zant aren't different from the things that work for Skynyrd. Our fans have been listening to country radio for the past 10 years. They are the country format.

"Years ago, an agent called and was talking about Skynyrd doing some dates. He said, 'We've got this opportunity to make some money, but I don't know if it's the right package.' I said, 'Who's it with?' He said, 'Hank Williams Jr., but I don't know if his fans are your fans.' Well, of course they are. The shows were great, and the people showed up."

Writing in Nashville also allows Johnny and Donnie, who live in Jacksonville, Fla., to do something they've been doing since they were kids asking advice from their brother: take some pointers from people in the know. "You've got great songwriters here in Nashville," Donnie said. "We were born at night, but not last night. We're looking to get something from them, and learn."