UF students can expect a mix of up-and-coming talent as well as tried-and-true success at tonight's Gator Growl.
The 84th annual Gator Growl, billed as the world's largest student-run pep rally, will kick off at 7 p.m. tonight at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Comedian Frank Caliendo is the headlining act at Gator Growl, and Southern-rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will also perform.
Caliendo, an impressionist known for his imitation of political figures and celebrities such as John Madden, George W. Bush and Robert De Niro, will receive $50,000 for his performance.
His credits include a role on "MADtv" as well as frequent appearances on "Fox NFL Sunday" and "Late Night with David Letterman."
On his Web site, Caliendo describes his show, "Frank TV," as a mix of "The Muppets," "The Simpsons," "Saturday Night Live" and "Second City Television," a Canadian comedy show from the late '70s and early '80s.
Aron Weingard, Gator Growl producer, said Caliendo's comedy appeals to a wide variety of people.
"His brand of humor relates to a broad audience," he said. "Frank can reach into the audience's world and use voices and facial expressions to make common stuff funnier."
Caliendo wrote in an e-mail that he couldn't wait to perform.
"It's going to be a crazy experience," he wrote. "I've never performed in front of so many people before."
Caliendo said he practiced impressions his entire life before he seriously pursued it during his sophomore year of college.
He said students can expect some of his older impressions, such as Madden, as well as some new ones including Charles Barkley and Jeff Goldblum.
Dancing will be another prominent feature of his performance, he added.
Caliendo also compared the perks of performing in different mediums and venues.
While his role on "Fox NFL Sunday" allowed him to make fun of Terry Bradshaw and his own TV show lets him dance to his heart's desire, Caliendo said "live stand up is fun because you get to have that immediate reaction."
While Caliendo might be a relative newcomer, Gator Growl's second main act, Lynyrd Skynyrd, has been playing Southern rock hits for nearly 40 years.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, which will receive $150,000 for the performance, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2006.
Though a 1977 plane crash in Mississippi killed three members of the original Jacksonville-based band, two original members still play today.
Johnny Van Zant, brother of original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, took over as lead singer in the late '80s.
Lynyrd Skynyrd band mates Van Zant, Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke appeared at a Thursday night news conference after playing a brief rehearsal.
Jokes came fast and often as the band entered the conference and introduced themselves as the "three stooges."
The three started by reminiscing about their days of playing shows in Gainesville during the late '60s and early '70s. Some favorite venues included a bar named Dubs and the Great Southern Music Hall.
Rossington described the band's return as "coming full-circle."
"We used to play all the parties, and they'd pay us in beer until they ran out," Rossington said. "Now it's whiskey."
The self-professed Gators fans said they were excited to be back in Gainesville for Gator Growl, which they said would be the largest crowd they have played for in the U.S.
When asked why he thought Lynyrd Skynyrd still appealed to fans - the band described their audience as 15- to 55-year-olds - Van Zant replied, "It's the songs."
"They're for the common people of the world," he said. "I think Ronnie had a way of communicating with people, the simple people."
"The three-guitar army doesn't hurt," he added with a laugh.
While reminiscing, the band eventually touched on the plane crash that killed its three founding members nearly 30 years ago, including Van Zant's brother, Ronnie.
Rossington described the band as a second family.
"It's just a heavy thing," Rossington said. "It's freaky for us… The guys we lost weren't even 30 years old yet."
The band members returned to their jovial mood shortly afterward, thanking their fans for being loyal and promising to play classic hits such as "Free Bird" as well as a few surprises.
Members also said they would play their hit "Sweet Home Alabama" despite UF's football loss to Auburn University.
Van Zant said he would be curious to see if UF fans sing along.
"If not, we're gonna go right into that piano solo," Van Zant said, laughing.
Correction appended.
