Lynyrd Skynyrd, Styx and Finding Clyde - 2011

Bay City fans sell out Lynyrd Skynyrd as the band takes the stage

Lynyrd Skynyrd

already has this packed audience on their feet.

"Put your hands in the air," vocalist Johnny VanZandt declared. "Let me tell you somethin'. There are a lot of fans out there tonight."

By the time the second tune, 'I'm The One' started, there was no room to move in the VIP seating section, let alone on the crowded hill at Bay City's Veterans Memorial Park where the band is performing this evening. The classic trio of Skynyrd guitars were in full force with Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, and Mark Matejka providing a sound blanket for the Bay City sunset.

Many in attendance tonight are Skynyrd first-timers, including Bay City Mayor Christopher Shannon.

"This is the first time I've seen Skynyrd," he said. "I'm glad Bay City had the opportunity to see a concert like this and (guitarist) Gary Rossington, an original member, who is one of the last survivors of their infamous plane crash (in 1977, that killed three band members and one crew member)."

Attending with Shannon was Graff Chevrolet's James Nesbitt, who, along with the Tribal Casinos, and other supporters helped back the event.

"Without that kind of support, you can't get these kind of events in Bay City," Nesbitt said. "We helped with early ticket sales for the charity the show supports. You can't beat that."

Another first-timer for Skynyrd was Jackie Marquardt from Munger, who has been to "hundreds of concerts. My first one was Elton John in 1976 at the Silverdome," she stated. "I always wanted to see Lynyrd Skynyrd."

Opening the evening at 6:45 was The Vandrie out of Holland, Mich., who recently returned from a tour out West, including the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles.

Finding Clyde

took the stage at 7:25, pushing out familiar songs and new tracks from their upcoming release.