RICKEY MEDLOCKE - Open Doors, Closed Doors Page 3
by Martin Popoff

Now, I don't expect you to be the kind of person to say, there's a point I have to stop rocking, but some people might say, acting is a way to go for another 20, 25 years. Does this enter your thought process?

"Well, you know what I think; it's kind of an oddity. First of all, I draw a fine line between what I do in the band, as far as being on stage goes, and acting. I think there's a real fine line there. I think a lot of times you can find your niche in something such as acting, and you can expand on it a lot. It's a way to take your career... most people don't really want to admit it, but most guys in bands who have had success will probably, in the back of their mine, readily admit, you know, at some point, it does come to an end. Every good thing does come to an end. I think the acting thing is just my way of being able to continue a career in entertainment, which is what I'm into. And I think it's just another way of self-expression and yes, I can do it for probably as long as I want to do it, as long as I can achieve the goals, and get the roles I would like to get."

Are you telling me something here? Do you foresee there being more downtime with Lynyrd Skynyrd, or is it business as usual?

"Well, as a matter of fact, what's happening right now, is we're already gearing up to head out the end of this month. We're going back out on the road. I think we're going to be out - from what I understand - most of the year. So I can't actually say the band is slowing down. I think we're only starting to pick up speed right now, and really kind of go for it and continue this Vicious Cycle tour, on out. I know that when Gary (Rossington) went down, a lot of guys were on the band, wondering if the band really would continue. And I think it came as quite a scare to everybody, as it did us. I mean, it freaked us out. We really didn't know if there was going to be any more Lynyrd Skynyrd or not. But thankfully, he pulled through really well, and he's doing great now, and we're actually looking at about 100 shows this year. There is word out there, that there is an ensuing Lynyrd Skynyrd/Allman Brothers tour, that maybe is going to see the light of day, for the first time ever in history. We've never been together. And you hit people with it, and people are very excited about it. We'll just have to wait and see; stay tuned."

RICKEY MEDLOCKE - Open Doors, Closed Doors Page 4