http://www.macon.com/news/local/article153930944.html
Joyce Freeman, manager at Lawrence Mayer Florists in downtown Macon, said Lynyrd Skynyrd's people called Thursday to order an arrangement for Gregg Allman's funeral Saturday.
JUNE 01, 2017 8:03 PM
Amid the sorrow, joyful music and celebrity gatherings planned as Allman laid to rest
BY LAURA CORLEY
lcorley@macon.com
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It isn’t yet known how many Allman Brothers Band fans will flock to Macon for Gregg Allman’s funeral Saturday, but there are signs it will be no small crowd.
Flowers, balloons, cards and peaches were among tributes left by fans on the front porch of the Big House, though the band’s museum hasn’t been open since Allman died Saturday.
“We’ve had hundreds if not thousands of fans already,” said Richard Brent, director of collections for the Big House. “Losing Gregg Allman was a huge blow for not only Macon, but the entire world.”
Several folks milled about the Big House on Thursday, eyeing the guitars, pictures and other relics of the band’s Southern rock legacy. “It was a hippie home,” Brent said of the band’s museum. “They wrote so many songs here” such as “Ramblin’ Man” and “Midnight Rider.”
Only two of the original six band members are living: Dickey Betts and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson.
A large white tent was being set up in the backyard for a private, guest-only event at 6 p.m. after the funeral.
“I’m not at liberty to say who’s going to be here, but it’s going to be an incredible night. That’s all I can say,” Brent said, adding there would be a police presence. As for the public, “there’s plenty of room on the sidewalk across the street. Odds are you’re going to hear some really great music.”
Elijah Blue Allman is the son of Gregg Allman and 71-year-old Cher, but whether they will attend celebrations and services Saturday is unconfirmed.
After the burial and before the Big House gathering, Brent said family and friends of Allman will eat at H&H Restaurant, the iconic Southern soul food eatery made famous by the band.
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Grant’s Lounge, one of the band’s local jam spots, also hinted at the possibility of celebrities coming to town Friday night for a free jam session featuring John Stanley of Soul Shine, an Allman Brothers tribute band.
The bar announced on Facebook that it would host “Four Big Nights of Live Music” starting Thursday from 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. The nightly shows are free.
The Big House also will be open to the public at normal hours Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Funeral instead of concert
Across the street from the Grand Opera House, where Allman was set to play at a sold-out show Saturday before canceling earlier in the year, employees at Lawrence Mayer Florists worked late Thursday afternoon on five elaborate floral arrangements for his funeral.
“Somebody ordered a Les Paul guitar and we have a big mushroom,” store manager Joyce Freeman said. “Lynyrd Skynyrd’s people called us and ordered a beautiful white piece for the funeral. Isn’t that cool?”
Freeman said she had to drive to Atlanta to get more flowers to accommodate the volume of orders.
“We’re expecting more orders tomorrow,” Freeman said.
Up the street and around the corner, beside Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Steven Amerson said his family’s shop, Jean and Hall Florists, had received several orders for Allman, including one from the board of directors for the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Both florists will be open Saturday, when fans are expected to line the procession route to Rose Hill Cemetery.
