Bret Michaels: This week's idol

The last couple months in the life of Bret Michaels have had to be interesting for Lynyrd Skynyrd and their powers that be.

Hair metal band frontman-turned reality TV regular Michaels, who serves as their "God & Guns Tour" opener, made for a profitable tour mate on paper. They're hardly musically compatible -- acknowledging that "every cowboy sings a sad, sad song" doesn't allow for entry into the southern rock strata, pardner!

Those nothin'-but-a-good-time girl fans of his "Rock of Love" buy tickets, not to mention look good peppered throughout the arenas and may have even heard of "Sweet Home Alabama" the song, not the Reese Witherspoon movie.

The last two months, however, have seen Michaels making news of a much serious nature, having suffered health issues, including a potentially fatal hemorrhage, and, most recently, being diagnosed with a hole in his heart. The vigil during the scare and ongoing rehabilitation have put his life and career into mainstream overdrive. His prognosis was reviewed and updated on CNN's crawl as well as in Pulitzer Prize-collecting newspapers.

Once in the (relative) clear, Michaels assault on the airwaves exploded.

He won this year's "Celebrity Apprentice," was received on the finale of "American Idol" with an enthusiasm befitting of a Beatle and, most noteworthy, appeared on that cultural and social barometer known as the "Oprah Winfrey Show." This may bring a new element to summer sheds when "Gods & Guns" comes to town -- Winfrey's influence, like it or loathe it, is immense, and the Oprah-ites buy Oprah-endorsed product en masse.

While likely quick to say otherwise, the Skynyrd camp has right to be concerned who is receiving the most applause on their tour. "Special guest" Michaels has a small screen army to draw from, while the headliners have last year's full-length "God & Guns" CD. The album pandered mostly to the Skynyrd faithful as well as bore a pro-gun title track that would arguably have late beloved founder Ronnie Van Zant turning over in his grave.

"God & Guns Tour" featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bret Michaels, 7 p.m. June 25, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $10-$65.50. FYI: (708) 614-1616, livenation.com

On sale now

For more information, contact Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com or the venues listed below. Unless otherwise indicated, all shows are all ages.

* My Morning Jacket, Aug. 17, Charter One Pavilion

* Rufus Wainwright, Aug. 13, Bank of America Theatre

* The Scorpions, Aug. 21, Rosemont Theatre

The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. He can be reached at T.shellberg@comcast.net