Gimme Back My BBQ

According to Roadrunner Records, Lynyrd Skynyrd has licensed its name to a barbecue joint that will open within the Excalibur casino in Las Vegas, Nevada this December. This is the first time the band has allowed its name to be used in this way.

Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer is reportedly modeled after "Hell House," a tin shack in which the bandmembers lived and practiced in their earliest days. The restaurant will feature Texas-style barbecue for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and feature music and live entertainment at night. Band memorabilia will be on display, and members have promised to play occasional shows along with cover bands. Dancing bartenders will perform nightly and host customers in sing-alongs.

Now that's something I'll have a second helping of and I can't wait to check this joint out. If there's 3 things we know in the south, it's BBQ, beer and southern rock. And all 3 of those things are in the name of the restaurant! I mean that's like a redneck heaven. I can't wait to steal a menu from there on my next Vegas visit, tentatively scheduled for next Spring unless I win a free trip before then. It could happen!

Honestly though, as big of a following as these guys have in the south I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the place get franchised. There are BBQ joints all over around here anyway, why not just change the name and a bit of the decor and presto... instant added sales. You're crazy if you don't think this would work in high tourists districts in places like Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, Skynyrd's home state of Florida and of course Sweet Home Alabama.