Paul Welch was a sound man for Lynyrd Skynyrd and was responsible for mainly making Ronnie sound good through the mic and sound system for the venue. Craig Reed stated that when Ronnie whistled Paul needed to be ready to turn it up.

Paul was with the band on the Street Survivors Tour when the plane went down and suffered horrible injuries as a result. like many others he was extracted from the plane by the first responders. Every passenger was carried through the swamp and had to be raised up high above the water as they were carried across the creek that had to be crossed to get to safety. The Hospital surgeon was actually on sight and directed the first responders to make sure the creek water did not make contact with any open wounds.

Paul is now in a wheel chair and struggles to make ends meet. He is a very humble man that has never asked for anything and now is the time he needs our help!!!

Paul was at the Monument unveiling where he met the first responders that saved his life. he was able to thank them and get to now exactly what happened while he was going through his ordeal.

Gene Odom Grew up on the west side of Jacksonville in the early fifties and sixties. It was there that he became friends with Lynyrd Skynyrd band founder Ronnie VanZant. They met as young boys and hung out on the west side of Jacksonville where they went to school. 

Gene and Ronnie used to like to play baseball fish and ride bicycles together. It was with Gene Odom fishing in Ocala fl. where Ronnie caught his trophy bass. Gene was also childhood friends with all the original band members ever since they were all just little kids.

In the late sixties Gene was drafted into the army. It was while he was away Lynyrd Skynyrd honed their skills as a band and became famous. When Gene returned from his duty he started Iron working as a welder on local jobs. Ronnie used to visit Gene at his jobs and tell him "Gene you need to come on the road with me and be my security". Reluctantly he gave in and began touring with the band.

Ronnie VanZant hired Gene to look after the band and hopefully help with the drug abuse. It was during their tour in 1977 the Convair 240 passenger plane the band was on crashed in a swamp in Gilsburg Mississippi.

Gene suffered grave injuries. He lost his eye when a Phosphorous deicing flare ignited burning his eye out as he lay unconscious under the very engine that had issues leading to the over fuel usage.

Gene was thrown through a gaping hole that opened up in the fuselage upon impact causing him a major head injury a broken neck, broken back and burns over most of his upper body. 

Today Gene travels the country telling his story selling books that he has written about his time with the Band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Mark Howard was working for Clearlight entertainment as a Lighting technician when he was sent on tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was the late seventies and the band was on a grueling schedule.

It was during the trip from Lakeland Fl. to Greenville North Carolina that Mark first noticed significant engine trouble with the Convair 240. The plane engine on the right wing was always shooting out flames and backfiring. 

On Mark Howard's Podcast True Back Stage and Road Stories he tells the entire story of his experience in the plane crash. https://youtu.be/wh0sKxpi4MY

Mark was literally chopped out of the planes fuselage with a hatchet owned by first responder Jamie Wall. Several years ago Mark and Jamie were reunited at the crash site and recounted the events of that day.

Mark suffered very bad injuries as a result of the Plane Crash. Both his hips are wired together and he has had dozens of surgeries trying to keep him walking. He has recently been struggling with more surgeries having to do with his injuries.

Known as One of the Honketts a name coined by Ronnie VanZant as one of his backup singers. Leslie Hawkins is the only living survivor of the Honketts. She toured with the original Lynyrd Skynyrd until the crash in 1977

Leslie is a very humble woman and does not often grant interviews or appearances. She traveled the world with her fellow backup singers Cassie Gains and Jo Jo Billingsly backing up Ronnie VanZant's vocals. 

Leslie suffered significant injuries to her upper body in the plane crash. She was devastated by the loss of her band family members that died in the crash. She has made some appearances since the crash but mainly keeps to herself and still suffers from her injuries from the crash.

Leslie has made it clear she only wants the people that need the help worse to get it first. She is a wonderful woman and only wants help directed to others. We want to help Leslie and know she not forgotten.

Mark Frank was on board the Lynyrd Skynyrd Convair 240 when it went down in the pine forest. He was touring with The Skynyrd Band as a drum Tech for Artimus Pyle. 

Marc Remembers all too well the events of the evening of the plane crash. Marc noticed the engine firing back and spewing lighted fuel in an arc over the wing as they were flying about 10000 feet above the Mississippi swamp. Then suddenly the engine stopped. As they flew with one engine operating over the pine forest Marc remembers the plane making a sudden turn around when the next engine quit.

Mark walked away from the plane crash but not without suffering his share of injuries like everyone else. Marc was able to group up with Artimus Pyle and Kenny Peden to go for help. They walked through a snake and gator infested swamp until they came upon a farm house where they were able to get help for the band and themselves.

Marc suffers from a stroke now that has left him limited motion and still deals with PTSD from the terrible sights he saw as a result of the plane crash.

 Marc is now in assisted living and could use any contribution you are able to give. I was able to meet Marc at the monument unveiling where we became fast friends.