Voted #2 in the Top 5 Bands of Milwaukee

1st Runner-up
WISN A-List Online Poll

WOW!  We would like to thank all our fans that voted for us in the 2013 WISN A-List online poll!  We ended up as the 1st Runner-up, second only to Chasin' Mason!  We were up against some stiff competition and finished ahead of other top 5 bands, The Itch, Higbee Higbee Band, and The Screamin' Cucumbers.  This is the best we've done so far!

This year, 2014, is looking to be tons of fun!  We've got some new venues to play and some great things on tap for summer time!  Hope to see all of our fans and frynds soon!  Check out our website, www.NorthernBredSouthernRock.com for up-to-date schedule and visit us at our Facebook page for daily fun!  See you all at the show!!

Merry Christmas, Y'All!

It seems like I say the same things at this time of the year.  Where did this year go?!?  Looking back, I can see why.  We had some great gigs this year!  We played the Waukesha Co. Fair, Thiensville Lions Day, and Summerfest.  In addition, we rocked 6 shows in 4 days for the Harley Davidson 110th Reunion, playing at Wisconsin Harley Davidson, Hal's Harley Davidson, the Miller Stage at the Summerfest grounds, and Romey's Pub down at St. Martin's Street Day.

We've lost a couple of our regular venues that we perform.  No more Willie's Dugout in Lannon, for one.  But that's what happens in this business, bars come and go.  The only thing we can do, is move on!  And that is what we have done!  This coming year we're booked at 4Keeps in Pewaukee.  This is a great little bar in the center of town and we're looking forward to returning.  Our first show was a blast and the house was packed!  Another new bar, or should I say, a bar we are returning to, is Rookies out in Okauchee.  Its been a few years since we've been there but they have reopened recently and are happy to return.  The Hiawatha in

Sturtevant is a completely new place for us.  They have a great stage there and from what I've seen, great people.  We've got a couple dates at Hawg Heaven in Salem and we've always had great success there.  Finally, Uncle Johnny's in Colgate has become a home away from home.  Johnny always takes care of us and he'll take care of you, too!

I invite everyone to check out the newly redesigned website, at www.NorthernBredSouthernRock.com.  I polished it up and updated the look.  I hope everyone likes it!    Our Facebook page at Facebook.com/lukynskywyrd, has topped 2000 likes!  Thank you, fans!  I'm contemplating creating a new Facebook group which is a little easier to interact with people, both band members and fans alike.  I'll let you know as soon as that happens.

Well, we are in the running for best band of Milwaukee on the WISN A-List.  We were in second place behind Chasin' Mason a week before the final vote.  At that time, they turned off the standings and from there, we were running blind!  I could tell when more people were voting but I was not allowed to see totals.  The vote ended last Sunday and the winners will be informed on December 27th.  Wish us luck!

Finally, the band and I would like to wish all of our frynds, fans, and family a wonderful Christmas and happy holidays!  May your new year be filled with joy and prosperity!  Remember why we celebrate at this time and pass it on!  We'll see you at the show!

Merry Christmas!!

New Music On The Way!

Last year, Lukyn Skywyrd won the 2010 Milwaukee Country Rock Battle of the Bands at Kelly's Bleachers II. As a part of our prize package, we won 10 free hours at Trax 52 recording studio in Mequon. For the past weekend, we've been busy laying down three brand new tracks to unleash on our demanding fans. Its been nine long years since the original album, and I'll say this, its about damn time!

We started late

on Thursday with Randall Gunter, our sound engineer, dialing up the proper microphone placement and levels

on the drums and bass. We also recorded the rhythm guitars and keys but weren't sure if we were going to use those tracks. That night we laid down the bed tracks to our three new songs: "Memphis", "Old Number Seven", and "Dreamin's Over (Love Remains)." The bed tracks on each were done in less than three takes, with "Memphis" done in one take!

On Friday, Jason and Keith added a couple of rhythm overdubbs and completed guitar solos. Bill

overdubbed a spot or two and Tony rerecorded his keys and organ parts. After all the instruments were recorded, Tony and Keith added final lead vocal tracks to which Bill and Tony sang backup vocals. As an incredible side note, the microphone that was used to record the vocals is the actual mike that Elvis used during his Sun Studio sessions. Not the same type, but the actual microphone! Songs like "That's Alright, Mama" and "Mystery Train" were captured through that mike!! Its still hard to wrap my head around that fact.

Saturday morning arrived and we welcomed our guest vocalist and fellow brother of the road, Eric McDonald from Standard Eagle, to round out our backup vocal section. Jason and Keith completed some acoustic work and began to mixdown.

Finally on Monday, Tony, Keith and Randall returned to complete

mixing the songs. After a long night of repeated listening, you can't believe how many times you get to listen to these tunes, we thought we had a

completed mix. After listening to it at home, we realized we didn't. Extra work is needed and a final session is scheduled for early next week. We are so close but we don't want to release quite yet! Just a little more time....

As far as the live show update, we'll be heading over to Mustang Shelly's

on Saturday April 2nd. This was a great show last time and we hope to see everyone return! We were asked to return to Jerzee's in East Troy and April is our chance. The band returns to Jerzee's on Saturday April 16th and Willie's Dugout, one of our favs, on Saturday April 23rd.

Help the band celebrate its 20th year by coming out

and rockin' to all of your Southern rock hits! Keep checking out www.NorthernBredSouthernRock.com for all your Lukyn Skywyrd information!! See you at the show!!

What A Summer!

Thanks to everyone who came out and made our summer a super success! Country USA, Summerfest, ABATE Summer Hummer, Vetro Winery, Wisconsin State Fair......what a blast! It seems like things just shot into overdrive after our 2010 Milwaukee Battle of the Bands win back in June and we never looked back. Its hard to believe we're in the middle of August already! Check some of the great photos from those shows on www.facebook.com/lukynskywyrd!

But it ain't over!! We've got Pullin' for a Cure in Jefferson, the Great American Bike Rally at Kettle Moraine Ranch in Eagle, House of Harley Davidson, and St. Martin's Street Fair comin' up! Oh, yeah, and Tomahawk Bike Rally in September!! Keep watching the websites for dates and times! Thanks again, everybody!!

Also, please vote for us in the WISN A-List Best Local Band contest. Just go to http://wisn.cityvoter.com/lukyn-skywyrd/biz/578236 and sign up! That's all you got to do!

See you at the show!

2010 Country Rock Battle of the Bands Winner!

It is official! LUKYN SKYWYRD is the Milwaukee's 2010 Country Rock Battle of the Bands Winner!! Last weekend at Kelly's Bleachers in Wind Lake, WI, Lukyn Skywyrd took home the title and beat three other bands hands down. This was a fan-based voting event and the competition was fierce. Southern Impact, another fine Southern rock band, came in second, Folkswagen, an original folk/country act, was in third, and Twang, a solid country group, finished last. All bands are incredibly strong and contain great and talented people.

By winning this contest, Lukyn Skywyrd has won a spot on the M&I Classic Rock Stage at Summerfest on Sunday, June 27th. Just two days before the finals, the band was informed that it would not be included in this years Summerfest lineup. Pulling out all stops, the band rallied fans, friends, and family alike and brought the numbers to get a solid win.

In addition, the band won a spot in Oshkosh at Country USA on Thursday, June 24th. This will be the band's first appearance at Country USA. Also, the band has won studio recording time at Trax52 and a cash prize from Cream City Music.

The band would like to thank all of our fans, friends, and family for coming out and supporting us to help take this victory. Thanks Carl Stessl for filling in for Bill and thanks Julie "Jewlz" Schroeder for the awesome backup vocals! The stage is always open! Thanks Tim Castle and Young Southern for coming out and supporting us. Tim Castle RAWKS! Thanks Jeremy "Zue" Zuleger for organizing this battle. Thanks Dee and Rooster from Almost Famous Booking. We almost didn't even get into this contest but thanks to you, we made it! Thanks, Emac, Shain, Tom, Ricky, Jamie, Nick, and everybody else that made it out!! You are the reason we won and we thank each and every fan that came out to vote.

See you at Country USA and Summerfest! Rock on!!

Bill Burki Returns to the Stage

Bill Burki returns to the stage this Saturday, February 27th at the Sly Fox in Burlington, WI. For the last two months, Bill has been recuperating at home following a major heart attack last December. His last gig was at Kelly's Bleachers II for the 2009 Toys For Tots benefit. It was at this gig, that Bill started to realize something was not right. After that show, Bill spent a week in the hospital.

Literally back from the dead, Bill is ready to rock the Sly Fox in Burlington! Come on out to the show and welcome him back in more ways than one!

Once again, we would like to personally thank Carl Stessl from the 7Wishes band and Craig Larson from the Sociables for filling in for Bill. These guys did an outstanding job on short notice to come in and fill Bill Burki's mighty shoes! Both of them are in excellent bands and we wish them much more future success. See ya on the road, Brothers!!

Guest Musicians to Fill-in for Bill

This is to let everyone know that Bill Burki is still resting up from last month's health scare. He is doing better but the road to recovery is taking a little longer than planned. As a result, we have some excellent musicians filling in and the shows must go on!

This weekend on Sat. Jan. 30th, Carl Stessl from the band 7Wishes will be playing with us at Willie's Dugout in Lannon. We first met Carl at the Council of Festivals Committee meeting and 7Wishes played after us at Toys for Tots in December.

On Sat. Feb. 6th, our other good friend and brother from the Sociables, Craig Larson will be playing at Knuckleheads in Eagle. The Sociables have been out there playing Southern rock for 15 years and if you haven't heard of them, you haven't gotten out much! Craig and I played together for a short stint in the Whiskey Highway Band and we welcome the opportunity to play with him in two weeks.

We want to thank these guys from the bottom of our hearts for filling in for Bill during this really tough time. Come on out and see these great players! We're gonna have a great time! See you at the show!!!!

New Drummer Debuts

This weekend marked the power performance debut of drummer, Mike O'Krongly, at Sheryl's on 175 in Ackerville. Mike's stunning sticks overwhelmed the crowd of old friends and new fans alike. Accolades abounded, as Mike added that much needed punch to all of the best Southern rock hits. Mike is right at home behind the kit and we are very happy to have added his talents to our lineup.

Mike, or as Turbo likes to call him, "Mr. Krongly", comes to us after a couple of stints with Liquid Crush and Crossfire, two very entertaining Milwaukee-area bands. Too bad for them and hooray for us! If you ask Mike, I'm sure he'll agree!!

So here's to many more! Welcome to the fold, Mike!!

Once again, we must bid farewell to Matt Liesman. For the second time, we have to thank Matt for his service, his wisecracks, and his "Mattitude"! We asked him to come back and fill in until we found the right guy who could take over behind the kit. We almost forgot how much fun it can be! We wish Matt all the best of luck as the coming year takes him to a new state, a new job, and yes, another new baby. You've got a lot to look forward in 2010!

And remember, Matt, even if you're no longer playing on the stage, you will always be a part of Lukyn Skywyrd!!

New Friends, Old Friends

Time to introduce our new keyboardist, Tony Vohs! We are extremely excited to have Tony make his appearance this weekend in Union Grove at Great Lakes Dragaway Harley Shootout! We'll be starting at 5:00pm on Saturday, Aug. 29th.

Tony has been playing music for 35 years with experience in classic rock, blues, country, Southern rock, and jazz. In addition to keys, Tony plays guitar, bass, and even some drums! We are fortunate to add his talents to the band.

The Mattitude is back!! Matt Liesman has returned for another tour of duty as drummer for LUKYN SKYWYRD! Matt has been away for just about a year now but couldn't stay away any longer. Matt has been busy at home training his new little drummer the ins and outs of a driving kick drum. Time for Daddy to get out and show what the definition of Mattitude is all about!! He, too, will be making his return appearance this weekend, so come on down and see this band rock!

Finally, we would like to thank Chad Stein for his drumming skills during the last year. We wish him all the luck in the world and he will be a worthy addition to any band. Here's to you, Chad!

Thank You, Harley-Davidson!

Can anyone say Harley-Davidson and not think Milwaukee? Throughout the world, people want to own a piece of our Americana. They live to ride and ride to live. Some well known people include: Peter Fonda, Jay Leno, Malcolm Forbes, Don Johnson, Jackson Browne, Tina Turner, and Elvis Presley. They have all ridden motorcycles built and born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. How cool is that?

For the last twenty years, we have been celebrating 5-year milestone birthdays of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. We welcome riders from all over the country and throughout the world to return to the birthplace of their beloved machine. When they arrive from every possible direction, every highway, every back road, and yes, even by ferry, Harley riders are met with open arms and homemade welcome signs. I'm sure this has brought a tear to the eye of even the biggest, burliest biker.

As a one of the many bands that performed at the Harley-Davidson 105th celebration, LUKYN SKYWYRD would like to congratulate Harley-Davidson and wish them another 105+ successful years. We would also like to thank Vic Thomas, Rick Ericson, Best Artists, and everyone behind the scenes at the Briggs & Stratton stage and Summerfest for putting on a birthday bash for a world famous but still hometown company.

Thank you, Harley-Davidson and thank you, Milwaukee!