Allman Betts Family Revival Jams Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall
Hurricane Milton blew through Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Center and left destruction in its path and all shows were cancelled for 2024. One of those shows was the annual pilgrimage of the Allman Betts Band to their hometown Sarasota to pay tribute to the Allman Brothers Band. Devon Allman, son of Gregg and Duane Betts, son of Dickey spearhead this team of musicians with the Allman Betts Family Revival. Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall came to the rescue to keep the show in the Tampa Bay area and bring it to Clearwater. They were aware of how important the show is to Sarasota friends, fans and relatives. They offered tickets to ticket holders of the cancelled show first before their own members and the general public. Ruth Eckerd Hall is a class act venue and we salute you for understanding that the music comes first and foremost to the fans. On with the show!
Opening the show with “Don’t Want You No More” and “It’s Not My Cross to Bear”, a couple of tunes that were from the Allman Brothers debut album and original lineup in 1969. Devon took a seat at the keys for “It’s Not My Cross” and you couldn’t help but be reminded of Gregg. Duane is on a Les Paul Gold Top, carrying on the family tradition by his father and Duane Allman. The stage set is simple; it has to be for all the artists on this show. This year’s tour pays tribute to Duane Allman’s 70’s work and the ABB 90’s comeback. There are so many guest musicians on this tour and they bring the show to the next level. Entering the stage on the Allman rocker “Statesboro Blues” was the amazing vocalist and harmonica player Jimmy Hall, who was the lead singer of “Wet Willie”. Half of the audience stood up for “Blue Sky” written by Dickey and one of the last recordings of Duane Allman. In a phenomenal jam that lasted over fifteen minutes or more, the band took Gregg Allman’s “Dreams” into the stratosphere!
Devon and Duane took a break to bring out blues guitar legend Larry McCray to perform “Stormy Monday”. Larry needs to go on tour after this, an amazing talent. Sierra Green gave a shoe-throwing performance on “Please Call Home” with the great Robert Randolph on slide guitar. “Southbound” had both Anders Osborne and Lindsay Lou making appearances. Lamar Williams, Luther Dickinson and Alex Orbison brought their talents to the stage as well. Classic Allman Brothers songs “Jessica”, “Ramblin”Man” and the iconic “Whipping Post” were all on the setlist. The encore was everyone on stage to jam for Gregg’s “Midnight Rider.” Every year this show keeps getting better and is keeping Allman Brothers music going for more generations to come!
Vicky Sullivan Photos for The Suncoast Post