Lynyrd Skynyrd to Rock Bradenton for Hurricane Relief: Charity Concert Aims to Support Local Hospitality Workers
Sixty years after forming in Jacksonville, Florida, the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is set to bring their Southern rock sound to the Bradenton Area Convention Center on November 15. Teaming up with special guest Marcus King, the concert will raise funds to support hospitality workers on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key who have been out of work due to the devastation left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
These powerful storms, which struck the region within weeks of each other, inflicted severe damage on the community, leaving countless workers and businesses grappling with the aftermath. Initial damage assessments estimated over $750 million in destruction across Manatee County, with many island-based businesses—restaurants, rental shops, and lodging facilities that rely heavily on tourism—now temporarily or permanently shuttered. Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, became the first recorded hurricane to make direct landfall on Siesta Key, claiming the historic Rod and Reel Pier on Anna Maria Island among its toll.
The benefit concert, hosted by the Tourist Development Council and featuring one of Florida’s iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bands, is poised to provide relief for those most impacted. Proceeds from the concert will benefit two local nonprofits, Shuckin’ Good Cause and The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Hurricane Relief Fund. Through these organizations, displaced hospitality workers will have access to grant assistance, coordinated by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, to help support their families and regain stability as recovery efforts continue.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s journey has been one of resilience, from their debut in 1964 to their pivotal 1973 album, and from the tragedy of a 1977 plane crash to their 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. With iconic hits like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” and “Simple Man,” the band has defined Southern rock for decades. Returning to Bradenton after last performing at the Convention Center in 2002, Lynyrd Skynyrd aims to use this concert to provide more than just entertainment—offering a night of hope and solidarity for the resilient community members in need.
Tickets for the concert will be available starting Monday at noon on The Center’s website, with options ranging from $75 for general admission to $500 for VIP access, which includes a meet-and-greet with the band. More details are available at www.CenterAMI.org/concerts.