About Freebyrd: the best Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band

As musicians we’ve all had struggles and hurdles while on our pursuit to find happiness in our musical careers.

And Ken Erickson, a professional guitar player from Addison, IL created Freebryd to help fellow musicians and himself overcome these obstacles.

Sadly after starting multiple classic rock cover bands, he realized by playing the same music as everyone else they had become the very thing he promised himself he wouldn’t become: a statistic.

But ultimately it was his disheartening awareness of failing to reach a local fan base that actually led to Ken’s pivotal moment.

One day he started thinking back to his teenage roots, reminiscing about the music he was a fan of growing up. 

And when Lynyrd Skynyrd came to mind, that's when it hit him.

By forming a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, existing Skynyrd fans (an untapped audience in Chicago) and new music venues could be reached.

This would allow him to create a festival type band to perform for larger crowds (something he’s always dreamed of) but also the opportunity to pursue a more dedicated fan base he could relate to.

After months of searching online and weeks of grueling auditions, an extraordinary tribute band began to emerge. 

Ken brought together six professional musicians from Chicagoland with unmatched passion, purpose, and precision:

Each musician draws on their influences in the Southern Rock genre from bands like:

• The Allman Brothers
• The Outlaws
• Molly Hatchet
• Marshall Tucker

Together they are committed Skynyrd fans with a shared vision to keep Lynyrd Skynyrd's legacy alive.

And in November 2019 Freebyrd formed to give Chicagoland the best Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute experience.

Freebyrd recreates the intensity, power, and spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd not seen since the days of the original lineup.

Captivated and energetic audiences are dancing, screaming, clapping, and singing along to Lynyrd Skynyrd songs like:

• Sweet Home Alabama
• Simple Man
• That Smell
• What's Your Name
• Free Bird

And today with their local fanbase of over 1.3K Facebook followers, Freebyrd has the best track record of commanding crowds from 300 to over 3K.

This is why their band schedule consists of the most popular music venues in Chicagoland:

• Tailgaters
• Bannerman's
• MT Barrels
• Broken Oar
• Tribute Island
• Niko’s Red Mill Tavern
• Jamie’s Outpost
• Roadhouse on 47
• Shaker’s
• Firewater Saloon

And best of all, their fans hire Freebyrd to play at their special events:

• Back The Blue 22 (Elgin Law Enforcement)
• Rock’n Wheels (Village of Addison)
• Sonny Acres Farm (Family Festival)
• Willow Fest (Village of Willow Springs)
• American Legion Post 187 (Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce)
• The Warehouse On Park (Mary and Bill Loyd)

As you can see, Freebyrd is the best Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band in Chicago because they have won the hearts and minds of many.

Will you be next?