Blackfoot guitarist in Lynyrd Skynyrd

From would-be roadie to lead guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd

By Luke HendryRickey Medlocke wanted to be Lynyrd Skynyrd's roadie.

Instead, when the southern-rock band appears Friday at Empire Rockfest, he'll be up front on lead guitar.

Medlocke grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., the grandson of blues musician Shorty Medlocke.

He grew up around some of Lynyrd Skynyrd's founding members, including singer Ronnie Van Zant. He instead formed his own group. Called Blackfoot, the hard-rock act was named for the Native American band of which Medlocke is a member.Comment:  For more on Native musicians, see Inside Up Where We Belong.