Excerpts from Gregg Allman: The Cream Interview POSTED BY JACK SILVERMAN ON THU, JAN 8, 2015 AT 9:09 AM.

Full interview can be found at http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2015/01/08/gregg-allman-the-cream-interview

In this week's dead-tree edition of the Scene, I preview Gregg Allman's upcoming Ryman shows on Jan. 13 and 14. The Ryman dates will be a homecoming of sorts — he was born in Nashville at Saint Thomas Hospital, and spent his early years here. Allman spoke with the Scene by phone recently, and reminisced about his early days here, including a particularly memorable trip to Centennial Park that involved a jungle gym, some new cowboy boots, lost teeth and lots of blood.

What led to the decision to do a final Allman Brothers show, and to officially put the band to rest as it were?

I initiated it. At the 40th year [anniversary] that we did in ’07, I even thought about it then. I mean, 40 years is … wow. Ain't many bands that last that long. I figured it was enough. It's time to go onto something else. Finally everybody agreed with me, and we did it.

I heard some of the final Beacon Theater show on SiriusXM in my car. I didn't know that's what it was at first. I just turned it on. It had the urgency and the power of the early years, the Fillmore years. It sounded absolutely phenomenal. Was it a special moment? Was it an emotionally trying night, knowing it was the final one?

No, it wasn't trying at all. Actually, we were all just laughing and smiling. The first three rows (of fans) were tearing up. (Laughs.) We all just had a real good time at it. I guess it was the last six shows, so everybody was at their best.

You lived in Nashville for your early years. Do you still have a lot of memories of Nashville?

Oh, yeah. I sure do. I remember I went to Centennial Park once. I don't think I was even in school yet. I had these new cowboy boots, and I had to wear them, right? And my mama told me, "No, you gotta put on your sneakers." Because we'd go to the park and play on that big huge jungle gym, slides, all different kinds of stuff.

I fell from that big maze of bars — they called it a jungle gym back then. I fell from the top. And it knocked my baby teeth, my two front ones, it knocked 'em up into my gums. I had to have surgery to have them taken out. I went without two front teeth for about two years. (Laughs.) Finally, they had me an appointment where they were going to split the gum so the teeth would come through. And that morning, I got up to get ready to go and sure enough there was little tiny spot of white on my gums, and they went, alright! Teeth!

I remember vividly, because my grandma was with me, and remember her sitting there laughing. There was blood everywhere.

Did you get blood on your new boots too?

I'm sure I did. (Laughs.)

You talk a lot in your book about your whole experience at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction — how you were still drinking really heavy and don't feel like you were even there for it. Does that make moments like your Grammy nomination more special?

Oh yeah. That goes for a lot of things, you know? For so long there I was just kind of half asleep. Actually, if it hadn't of been for the induction into the Hall of Fame, I don't know when I would have stopped. That was the final thing. I woke up the next day, and someone played me a tape of it, and I just went, "Wait a minute. Hold on, boy. It's time to stop this bullshit. Way past time." I'm thankful to God it happened.

Are you pretty excited about being nominated for the Grammy with Taj Mahal?

I really am. I just found out about yesterday. I said, "Wait a minute. Grammy?" I'd forgotten about the record. And I thought, what am I nominated for? My wife to be told me, "It's from the All My Friends gig." I was really elated because that was a real good concert. That was a magic night.

When you play in Nashville does it feel like a homecoming?

It does.

Who's in your touring band?

Pete Levin on piano, Scott Sharrard on guitar, Ron Johnson on bass, I'm playing hammond and guitar, Steve Potts from Memphis on drums, Marc Quinones on percussion, and three horn players: Marc Franklin on trumpet; Jay Collins plays baritone, tenor, soprano and flute; and Art Edmaiston, who used to play with Bobby "Blue" Bland, on tenor. Nine pieces counting me, and boy, they smoke.