Don't come over much anymore but thought I would share my thoughts here also on Butch. It has been a tough couple of days for us all.

The passing of Butch Trucks has taken a little time for me to comprehend the shear enormity of this tragic event.

First and foremost, my deepest sympathies go out to the entire Trucks family, all of his friend’s, associates and of course the entire Allman Brothers family. I realize these are only words but they are heartfelt in that Butch Trucks was not only a member of, in my opinion, the greatest live band to ever grace the planet, but he was one of “us” – a drummer.

Drummers are wired a little differently, as I am sure most of my friends, acquaintances and all the musicians I have played with will attest.

Butch to me was an inspiration on a number of levels from the very first time I heard him play, to the more than 150 times I saw him live. Other than Gregg Allman, he was the only other person that has been in the Allman Brothers Band in every form from the beginning to the last show at the Beacon in 2014.
As most musicians do when we see others playing, we try to understand the nuances of that individuals’ playing. The first time I saw Butch live, I was hooked and have spent the last forty years or so as a student watching all the moves and hearing all the grooves. We isolate the instrument first and then the “feel” of the player. Much like John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, many have copied, but none have duplicated that feel. Butch for me was in that elite category of drummers that were a driving force behind the band with a feel that was his own. Adding in Jaimoe’s wonderful playing complementing Butch in the early years, then Marc Quinones on percussion in the latter years filling out the percussive trio that drove the Allman Brothers Band live to levels that very few have reached.

People going to see the band for the first time would always comment to me, how do three drummers keep it together? My response was always the same – they listen to each other. The outcome was always a cohesive unit from my experience that allowed the band to go on adventures of epic proportions knowing full well that the back end was always where it should be.

When the drum solo made its way into the set, I was always more intent as I could tune in completely to the percussion and learn more. I know that many do not care for extended drum solos, but those of “us” out there that do, stepped up and listened closer.
Butch Trucks was one of the best to ever play the drums and he did it in a band with some of the most complex music and time signature changes out there.

When I got to know more about him personally, a lot of things made sense to me. He was loyal to his friends and band(s), he was a family man with a wonderful extended family and when I finally met him several years ago, it felt like I had known him for years. He was opinionated, and while not all agree with all opinions of others, I always respected the fact he stood his ground and was as passionate about his views as he was about his music and playing.

The Allman Brothers Band would not have been the same animal without Butch Trucks - period!

I saw him for the last time last year at Wanee with Les Brers (The Brothers) play a midnight set that ended around 345am. It was incredible, Jaimoe and Marc were with him back there just giving it to the mass of people that showed up and stayed to the end!! It was a magical show and he was in his element. His, “Freight Train” moniker was never more evident than it was that night. I will enjoy that memory along with all the others for the rest of my life. I believe the shot of Butch's hands after the last show at the Beacon in 2014 sums things up nicely. A hard working drummer that just finished a great night of playing and looking at his calloused hands likely thinking, all will be fine, when is the next gig!! Well played Mr. Trucks, well played!!
Rest in Peace Butch