Nobody should be surprised that Dickey is still hurt and wounded over being removed from the ABB. I don't know how you could expect otherwise.
However, I don't think anybody can look at the last 13 years with any objectivity and say the ABB "messed up" by letting Dickey go. In retrospect, it seems to have been a very wise decision that turned out better than any reasonable person could have hoped.
I can't speak for anyone else, but this version of the band lasted longer, sounded better, and accomplished more than I ever imagine they would in my wildest dreams. The fact that they were not only able to survive without Dickey, but thrive, is pretty remarkable in hindsight.
Of course, maybe that is what makes Dickey so salty about the whole thing. I honestly feel that he expected them to fail without him, and maybe he is a little pissed off that they didn't.
Rob,
Please do not take this a an attack but what major accomplishment did they achieve in the 14 years? One Studio album (of which they did not really touch during this last beacon run) & maybe 30-40 shows max per year & half of those at the beacon were we know they are going to sell out regardless of personnel? The 90's ABB put out three pretty good cd's and put on some hellafied shows... to me that seems like more of a productive timespan
Yup...
Wonder what term Storyteller Butch is more comfortable with - tribute band or oldies act? 
Accomplishments of last 14 years:
Resurrection of Mtn.Jam and the 2009 Beacon Run stand out.
I like each iteration of the band except for 79-82. However, near the end of Dickey's tenure, the band seemed to be stagnating. I went to 3 shows in 1998 and heard the exact same set list each night. I did like going to shows over the last 14 years and occasionally hearing the unexpected. My only critique is they did not play the material from the 1990s or Hittin the Note enough. I also enjoyed the new instrumental pieces. Many songs also evolved and were taken in new directions (Rockin' Horse, NLTRW, Black Hearted Woman, etc.) Jimmy, Derek and Warren seemed to enjoy exploring new directions, something that seemed to be sorely lacking in the late 1990s.
Please do not take this a an attack but what major accomplishment did they achieve in the 14 years?
Here we go. What was the biggest accomplishment DB & GS achieved in the last 14 years? Playing in front of 250 people?
uhh,actually I think it was 253 people to be exact.
But he'll be playing to a much larger crowd at Sunshine.
With Derek there & a good chance Jaimoe's band added again, I can't help but wonder what could transpire. Greg & Marc just happen to be playing down the road in Florida that month too.
Maybe Jaimoe could pull a Galactic & slide onto drums while Dereks jamming with Dickey.
Last year someone krept up to the Galactic drummer,while he was playing,& proceeded to take his place on the kit not missing 1 beat. Very cool.
I always find this interesting and agree with both sides in many ways, however, at the end of the day for the original members including Dickey, they are all just great actors. The Allman Brothers Corporation still includes Dickey Betts, and every time an Allman Brothers song gets played by anyone they all get paid. so they can bicker all they want, its just bs posturing. They are all making a ton of money off each other and will continue to do so in the future. Time to get a hold of reality............
I always find this interesting and agree with both sides in many ways, however, at the end of the day for the original members including Dickey, they are all just great actors. The Allman Brothers Corporation still includes Dickey Betts, and every time an Allman Brothers song gets played by anyone they all get paid. so they can bicker all they want, its just bs posturing. They are all making a ton of money off each other and will continue to do so in the future. Time to get a hold of reality............
Hey - Don't start making sense! 
Maybe Dickey will change the name to The Allman Brothers Band now. That would thrill some people.
First it was Dickey playing to 150 people and a few posts later it was 250. Gained a lot of new fans quickly. At that rate by tomorrow it will be stadiums. 😛
Please do not take this a an attack but what major accomplishment did they achieve in the 14 years?
Here we go. What was the biggest accomplishment DB & GS achieved in the last 14 years? Playing in front of 250 people?
Of course he does not draw like the ABB... I doubt that Great Southern in its heyday drew as well...
He has put out 2 studio CD's (one that was average & the collectors was pretty good with some great playing by Dickey & Dan) , 2 DVD's - one being the first done at the RRHOF. Played some shows over in Europe, has had 3 signature models released by Gibson - 4 if you want to include his involvement with the southern rock reissue...
The original question I posed was what has the last incarnation of the ABB accomplished? one average at best cd... The setlist has been pretty much stagnate... They had a great run at the Beacon for sure-but that would have occurred imo regardless of whom was on stage... Warren & Derek each accomplished more during the span than the ABB...
Dickey himself has said it was a lot harder to start over than he thought it would be... Still he keeps on doing his music the way he wants to...
Besides many are taking the writer's comments as statements made by Dickey.
I think this version of the band was the best.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I've seen the band live in every incantation and this one by far is only second to the original. The 10 years prior with Warren and Dickey and Woody were great, but this version with Derek and Warren IMO only, please keep that in mind, was from a musicianship and feel perspective better. Dickey and Warren had their moments don't get me wrong, but Warren and Derek established themselves as a duo with their own styles drawn from Duane and Dickey for sure but the way they worked off of each other was reminiscent to Dickey and Duane back in the day................to each his own!
I can't see how anybody who is a fan of the Allman Brother's Band can't be a fan of Dickey Betts and Great Southern.
They will be when they start jonesin' for the music and Dickey comes to their town!!
The setlist has been pretty much stagnate...
This kills me. Clearly from someone who has not paid attention the last 14 years. Here we go.... I'd be willing to bet the ABB have performed at least 100 different songs in the last 14 years and wouldn't be surprised if it was way more. I bet DBs band hasn't played anywhere close to 50 different songs in the same period.
Also don't forget the Platinum DVD the ABB released, One Way Out the accompanying CD, as well as the 40th anniversary DVD. And all the Instant Lives? You just can't make a fair comparison of the success of the ABB vs DB & GS during this time period.
I love Dickey. I am just disappointed in HIS comments. I could care less that the writer has his lips stuck on DBs backside. Hell I would too if I got to interview him.
And Rusty my friend:
This is not the first time my favorite guitar player has made these types of comments. HE said something along the lines of If Derek & Warren want to go out with those guys playing the stuff that Duane & I created .......
Also it is not hypocritical for fans to criticize the bands or individuals they admire. I appreciate that DB wrote and performed on some of the best songs ever created. It is not hypocritical to indicate that his comments are disappointing and inaccurate and still enjoy hearing those songs performed quite well by the current version of the band that released them in the first place.
I love Gregg but cringe at some of his interviews.
steve - Opinions vary of course but Hittin The Note got very good reviews when it came out. The official review on amazon, allmusic and Wall Street journal raved about it. Average was about the worst review it got (Rolling Stone 3 stars), but most were much better. I think it's held up well a decade later and I go back to it regularly. Old Friend, High Cost of Low Living, Desdemona, Old Before My Time were the standouts for me.
As for the contention that the Beacon shows would have sold out regardless of who was in the band, I don't agree....at least not to the same degree. I think if the product was not up to the quality delivered by this lineup, the demand would have dropped. Nostalgia was always part of the appeal, but people were also coming to hear this lineup in particular (fans were constantly raving about Warren & Derek & Oteil) and the band felt the freedom to do some stuff never done by an ABB lineup before.
And I guess I'm really puzzled by anyone saying the setlists had become stagnant. Think about someone who came to just night 1 of this run and didn't hear Statesboro Blues, Jessica, Whipping Post, Revival, Ain't Waisting Time No More, Blue Sky nor Melissa (nor Ramblin Man which they didn't play in the last 14 years).....but they did hear Spots of Time, Just Another Rider and True Gravity. When I would prep casual fans for shows with me over the last 14 years I had to tell them "don't go in with any expectations to hear a particular song because every night is different and they might not even play Whipping Post." I created a 12 song tracklist of songs in the ABB live rotation for buddies in 2008 to get them familiar / prepped and they only played three of the tunes that night! One year at the Beacon the Brothers played 75 songs and this year it was surely 40 different ones in just 6 shows.
As for what this band accomplished, much of it was just credibility and integrity and live shows that people will be talking about for decades. Live shows that were in some ways different, more diverse, often more muscular than any previous incarnation of the band and other times brought the original sound/arrangement back in songs. Having Mountain Jam back in rotation in full glory will be remembered. The Live at the Beacon Theatre DVD stands as a great permanent document. After some multi-year absences, former members came back to play with them including Chuck Leavell (for first time since 1986), Jack Pearson and Johnny Neel (and Allen Woody in Summer 2000 dates with Herring). And all 4 "newer" members had been ABB members with the living 4 so that added credibility....plus those 4 had 75+ years of membership in the ABB. The band will also be remembered for the establishment and growth of the Wanee Festival. Their entire 2009 Beacon Run along with the final 2 nights of their career were not insignificant, particularly for a band known as a live band. Yes, the lack of a second studio record is a disappointment (but I'd rather no record than anything subpar...quality over quantity).
I was skeptical and even sad at the time that they were carrying on without Dickey but I'm sure glad they did!
Jimmy may be crediting some of the writer's statements to Dickey.
Any comparisons between bands and their successes is silly. Without the ABB name, any member or combination would be playing to less people and earning less money.
As for setlists, that was Warren's doing and the others went along. In recent years, the number of songs was greatly cut back which was because of Gregg wanting it that way including the lack of songs from HTN. This did not sit well with Warren or Derek. Gregg has mentioned many times that he gets bored with never ending solos and it attributes to him getting lost in the songs. Who do you think he is commenting on? You don't need to use the Dickey card to find some critical of the Derek/Warren era. It also comes from within and is in part why it came to an end. Can't blame that on Dickey.
CM - Gregg played with long jamming every night he ever played with the Allman Brothers. He could have cut it back some if he wanted to and he didn't. And just because he praises the approach of Gregg & Friends doesn't mean he disliked the jamming format of the ABB. Heck their most iconic album was a double record and only 7 songs! And sure, he likes the format of his Gregg & Friends shows. I like both approaches and I'm certain he did too (either that or didn't do something he liked for most of his career).
The Dickey comments from this week are his own. I'm not sure what you mean by attributing Dickey's comments to a writer, unless you think he was misquoted. A couple of follow up articles took place that summarized the interview and maybe that's where you are coming from.
The original question I posed was what has the last incarnation of the ABB accomplished?
People who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones.
There was no bigger fan of Dickey's music than myself all through the 70's and 80's. Just like the Brothers, every time his band rolled around anywhere I lived within a couple of hundred miles, I was there. But now?...I think if you are honest about it, you've noticed the decline in his skills, how can you miss it? I understand "Blind love" or absolute dedication, but c'mon man, even the most dedicated fan, whether we're talking about musicians, athletes, actors...whatever, at some time has to be honest with themselves and admit, it ain't as good as it used to be. hard to do?...sure. But try to imagine for just one minute, how it reads when the defenders here continously write that something sounds "good" or a performance was "great" when you and I know it was nowhere near that. So I'll answer the alluded to question from the earlier post:
"What has the last incarnation of the ABB accomplished"?
Live performances my friend. The consistent magnificence of the two guitar attack or sound that at times for me so closely paralleled the original feel that it was scary, especially when Derek played Duane's parts on slide. To hint that the current incarnation of Great Southern was anywhere near that is just sour grapes. Really sour.
As for what this band accomplished, much of it was just credibility and integrity and live shows that people will be talking about for decades. Live shows that were in some ways different, more diverse, often more muscular than any previous incarnation of the band and other times brought the original sound/arrangement back in songs. Having Mountain Jam back in rotation in full glory will be remembered. The Live at the Beacon Theatre DVD stands as a great permanent document. After some multi-year absences, former members came back to play with them including Chuck Leavell (for first time since 1986), Jack Pearson and Johnny Neel (and Allen Woody in Summer 2000 dates with Herring). And all 4 "newer" members had been ABB members with the living 4 so that added credibility....plus those 4 had 75+ years of membership in the ABB. The band will also be remembered for the establishment and growth of the Wanee Festival. Their entire 2009 Beacon Run along with the final 2 nights of their career were not insignificant, particularly for a band known as a live band. Yes, the lack of a second studio record is a disappointment (but I'd rather no record than anything subpar...quality over quantity).
First - a lot of really great posts in this thread reflecting the love of the band, the musicians, the music, and in-depth knowledge of the history. Yes, we'd only expect that of those on this site, but I did want to mention it anyway.
Second - I would have loved to heard more new material written over the last 10 or so years from this band and especially Gregg, but it didn't happen. However, the above quote I pasted by hotlantatim reflects a really strong justification for "accomplishments". To me, his paragraph is loaded with the essence of the final incarnation of the Allman Brothers Band. The wording & ideas are great, and it is exceptionally well written. I couldn't agree more. Thanks for the post!
The 10 years prior with Warren and Dickey and Woody were great, but this version with Derek and Warren IMO only, please keep that in mind, was from a musicianship and feel perspective better. Dickey and Warren had their moments don't get me wrong, but Warren and Derek established themselves as a duo with their own styles drawn from Duane and Dickey for sure but the way they worked off of each other was reminiscent to Dickey and Duane back in the day................to each his own!
Add Oteil to this mix, and I agree 100%.
That some "fans" can speak so harshly of Dickey - yet applaud when the ABB play Blue Sky, Jessica or Liz Reed ... strikes me as just a tad hypocritical.
Why would it be hypocritical? It's entirely possible to separate the man from the work.
My two cents: I think the final lineup behaved like they were on an important mission, which was to cement the Allmans' legacy and also the importance of Duane as a visionary of American music. Man did they do a good job, by never making it feel like an oldies show ... yes they played the repertoire but they breathed new fire and life into it and took it to original places nightly, proving this was a vital, living kind of music.
Duane and the boys by 1971 were already farther down the road with their vision of an American roots fusion music than even Hendrix ever got, and as someone here said, circa '99 with the same set lists night in and night out, and much of it being DB/country-flavored, the idea that Duane belonged in the same league as Jimi was not well accepted. Most of us know he was the GREATEST of all the Blues Rock innovators, and now the world has begun to give Duane and the Allmans their due. To me, that right there is the biggest thing this band accomplished.
I'd be willing to bet the ABB have performed at least 100 different songs in the last 14 years and wouldn't be surprised if it was way more.
I bet they did that many during the '09 Beacon Run alone!
CM - Gregg played with long jamming every night he ever played with the Allman Brothers. He could have cut it back some if he wanted to and he didn't. And just because he praises the approach of Gregg & Friends doesn't mean he disliked the jamming format of the ABB. Heck their most iconic album was a double record and only 7 songs! And sure, he likes the format of his Gregg & Friends shows. I like both approaches and I'm certain he did too (either that or didn't do something he liked for most of his career).
The Dickey comments from this week are his own. I'm not sure what you mean by attributing Dickey's comments to a writer, unless you think he was misquoted. A couple of follow up articles took place that summarized the interview and maybe that's where you are coming from.
He did cut back. People credit the cutbacks to his health and yet he would book solo shows. Just because their iconic album has only 7 songs, it doesn't mean that he wants to do it for life. He has been quoted as saying that he tires of the solos. Derek himself told me that it isn't Gregg's thing. Look at the difference of Gregg on stage with the ABB vs solo. Much more involved with the GAB and less errors plus the additions of different songs.
Not saying that he hated it for his whole career but if not for the income difference, he may have walked long ago. The GAB style suits him much better. Hell he has listened to guys solo on and on for 45 years, it is understandable to be a bit bored by now.
My point with Dickey is that some of the issues brought up by members on here are not from quotes but from the authors points.
My two cents: I think the final lineup behaved like they were on an important mission, which was to cement the Allmans' legacy and also the importance of Duane as a visionary of American music. Man did they do a good job, by never making it feel like an oldies show ... yes they played the repertoire but they breathed new fire and life into it and took it to original places nightly, proving this was a vital, living kind of music.
Duane and the boys by 1971 were already farther down the road with their vision of an American roots fusion music than even Hendrix ever got, and as someone here said, circa '99 with the same set lists night in and night out, and much of it being DB/country-flavored, the idea that Duane belonged in the same league as Jimi was not well accepted. Most of us know he was the GREATEST of all the Blues Rock innovators, and now the world has begun to give Duane and the Allmans their due. To me, that right there is the biggest thing this band accomplished.
Read that Derek article just posted. He says almost exasctly what you just did.
Jimmy may be crediting some of the writer's statements to Dickey.
Any comparisons between bands and their successes is silly. Without the ABB name, any member or combination would be playing to less people and earning less money. ....
No, Jimmy is not. You see these little marks " ". They are called quotation marks. They work like this...
“It makes it easier on my band because half their show is shit I wrote, which I do in my show,” Betts says about the Allman Brothers’ retirement plans. “I don’t have to do Gregg Allman songs. It will be easier as far as people understanding. I kind of question whether to say this or not, but it’s almost like the Allman Brothers turned into an Allman Brothers tribute band.”
That is a QUOTE from Dickey in the article. It disappoints me that he says these things and it frankly concerns me that he may actually believe them.
As for comparisons between the two, somebody asked what the last incarnation of the ABB had accomplished and proceeded to list all that DB has done. I simply pointed out that they left a few significant ABB accomplishments out.
As for the ABB name selling the tickets.... Yes and No. It's true to an extent BUT if the ABB had been sloppy and put on poor performances regularly they would not have done near as well the last 14 years. Likewise if DB consistently played stellar shows he could easily have been playing larger venues with larger crowds such as Greggs Band has been.
Very hard to rebrand even if well known.
And yes, many ABB set lists, when you remove the covers, is often about half Betts, half Allman written tunes.
Betts doesn't play Allman tunes in his set.
Every radio promo I've ever heard for an ABB show uses Ramblin Man including the CBS thing.
Anyone has the right to play with who they want, fine. Playing Dickey's tunes and ragging him in every interview (and pity pot book) is bullshit.
The five DB GS shows I heard post split were great. Usually about six hundred people.
Warren and Derek made the current group very good playing wise. They were right to pull the plug.
See you at Mule, TTB and GS.
Is that what those marks mean? Learn something new every day. 😉
But those quotes are pretty accurate. They do (did) play Dickey's songs. He doesn't play Gregg's songs. As far as being a tribute band, he isn't the only one to say that and many fans walked after Dickey's departure. Hence far less tour dates, no more Evening with shows, co-billed tours and far less butts in the seats. This may have eventually happened with Dickey in the band but we will never know.
Why the concern if he believes it? Doesn't mean that you have to believe it. You were not screwed over by the guys like he was. Two drummers who never wrote a thing and Gregg who has an equal or greater history of alcohol and drug abuse. Add to the fact of all their comments about him over the years. Not surprising that his comments would not exactly be glowing.
Compared to the insults thrown his way, I think calling them a tribute band is pretty tame. Obviously you see it different.
Having dealt with both, I will say that Dickey is a straight shooter whether you like it or not. Gregg is a bullshitter who will say anything regardless of reality. I prefer honesty.
YIKES.... lots of reading here for sure 😮 ... shaking my head side to side no no with some and then up and down in agreement with some others and many times my eye brows just knitted together in shear confusion, delighted and smiling with envy in the way everyone expresses themselves.. seeing many of the same old arguments over and over ..we sure are a passionate group of fans of all these musician's..if nothing else, that is a fact.
Look some of us complain when "nothing" is said , some complain that "TOO" much is said.. and when there are finally statements they are torn to pieces like hungry dogs lookin for the marrow. I think the original founding members of the ABB are all disappointed with something in the band... after all the years together of making music , having their personal turmoil's with each other, believe it or not some we may not even be aware of LOL..if that is at all possible to have "secrets" in this band.
I was first and ABB fan... and a guitar lover of DB.... there really hasn't been another band that affected me as much . It was shear agony when this band first broke up in the late 70's... wonderful that they got back together again.. we all know the story from there...
Everyone makes excellent points ... hard to single out but rusty, bird tony, many many more as usual. But Mitch quoted something either here or on another thread ..from Dave Mason .. I'll just add to that.. There ain't no good guy there ain't no bad guy, it's only you and me and we just disagree...
Loving the music regardless of who wrote what... it was a Brotherhood back then or so I heard and at the time when it was being born they all contributed to the birth.. it was a great time in my life and I am sure in theirs as well.. Something was in the air in those days.. it was almost tangible.. it's one of those YOU HAD TO BE THERE..
ok continue on ... I am enjoying the heck out of this...
