Columbia Records Nashville Adds Van Zant to Stellar Roster

Columbia Records Nashville Adds Van Zant to Stellar Roster NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Nashville President John Grady announces the signing of duo Van Zant to Columbia Records Nashville. Comprised of brothers Johnny Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie Van Zant (38 Special), Van Zant release their first major label debut later this year with co-producers Mark Wright and Joe Scaife at the helm. "Signing Van Zant was one of the easiest A&R decisions we've had to make," says Grady. "People in Nashville have been trying to recreate Southern Rock and capture its audience for the past 25 years. We decided why not start at the top with part of Lynyrd Skynyrd and part of 38 Special. Johnny and Donnie Van Zant have wanted to make a country record for a long time. Putting them together with producer Mark Wright makes all the musical sense in the world. I can't wait for people to hear this music." Van Zant combines two of the most talented Southern rockers and a set list of historical proportion. As one of the lead vocalists and the rhythm guitarist for 38 Special, Donnie and the group ushered songs such as "Caught Up In You," "Rockin' Into the Night," and "Hold On Loosely" into the public limelight. Johnny had a successful solo career before becoming front man for the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987. As Van Zant, the guys released two independent albums - Brother to Brother in 1998 and Van Zant II in 2001 - both on CMC International. "I'd like to thank Grady and Mark Wright for this opportunity," says Johnny. "We grew up on country music. What country is - is what we've been doing for years. It's great to work with people who are so musically inclined. Grady, Wright and Scaife are the 'A Team.'" "This is a dream come true," says Donnie, who worked with John Grady previously with 38 Special. "We've had country music in us our whole lives. We are having a blast making this album and can't wait for people to hear it." Along side songs written by Johnny and Donnie, the Van Zant album includes a track co-written with Jeffrey Steele ("My Town," "These Days") and songs written by Craig Wiseman ("Live Like You Were Dying"), Rivers Rutherford ("Real Good Man," "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You") and Al Anderson ("Unbelievable," "Cowboy In Me"). Van Zant is managed by Ken Levitan and Ross Schilling at Vector Management. Source: Sony Music Nashville CONTACT: Anita Mandell, Director, Press & Publicity of Sony Music Nashville, +1-615-742-4358, or anita_mandell@sonymusic.com Web site: http://www.sonynashville.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment