Opening Solo Of ‘Free Bird’ Gets A Mandolin Makeover In This Man’s Stirring Cover Video

Bill Hicks YouTube Channel

Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s “Free Bird” is probably one of the most covered songs in the history of rock. After all, it seems that almost every crowd at a concert shouts for the artist to play their rendition of the Skynyrd classic. 

The internet is full of “Free Bird” covers, and you can easily get lost in watching them. Most of them are the same, just some guy or gal with a guitar jamming out to their favorite Skynyrd tune. But every now and then, someone posts a video that breaks the mold.

One of those people is Brian Hicks, who shared his unique cover of “Free Bird’s” opening guitar solo back in 2012. Only instead of picking up a guitar or a pair of drum sticks, Brian grabbed a mandolin and started rockin’ out.

It isn’t unusual to hear a mandolin in a Skynyrd song, after all it plays a huge role in their song “Mississippi Kid.” But hearing a mandolin play those signature notes of “Free Bird” is like hearing the song for the first time all over again.

Hicks’ cover is particularly stirring, and everyone watching him was in awe of his talent. One of the best parts came when he picked up the pace, and started playing so fast that we swore he was going to set his strings on fire!

Overall, this cover is equal parts fun and mesmerizing, and we hope you enjoy it. Check it out in the video below!

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