I wrote this yesterday:

http://alanpaul.net/2017/01/rip-butch-trucks-1947-2017/

Not sure if it was posted elsewhere. Have not had the energy to read through other posts. We all share the same emotions. I spoke to Oteil this morning. Hard to describe.

I read it on your site yesterday Alan. Nicely done. Very stunning situation and of course incredibly sad.

It's a excellent tribute, Alan.

Clearly your relationship with Butch went well beyond that of author and subject.

Much condolence

The Sky is Crying today, I certainly am. Thanks for your words Alan.

Alan, that was a fantastic write-up.

Thanks Al. Always appreciate your work. Today especially

Thanks for a beautiful tribute Al. We're all numb..........but it helps.

Great tribute, thanks

Although it may not have been meant that way, thanks also for the little bit of comic relief in the "epilogue". It was much needed

Well done. Thank you Alan.

You're welcome, of course. No need to thank. Happy that I have writing and playing music to express my emotions. Tough time for so many of us. I have to wonder if Butch had any idea how many would care so much.

Thank you.

I sent the following message to Alan, but thought it was worth posting here as well:

Hey Alan,

Again I am sorry for your personal loss. Thank you once again for your efforts of keeping the fans connected.

I am feeling very sad and bummed about Butch. Obviously I am upset on a personally level of having affection and regard for Butch. Also upset for his family and friends. Been talking with my friends and expressed the following to them. I want to share it with you because I think it helps cope and I am also curious for your thoughts.

I had come to terms that the band was done, but this hurts. Butch was the one constant. He was always there, fully engaged, and with 100% percent effort. That went beyond just on stage. He was there for the fans, interacting, making efforts in our regard (moogis, wanee...) As you said he was also Duane's apostle. Further he was the Allman Brothers biggest fan and champion. That meant the world to me. Finally one of those guys who cared about it even more than me/us.

Of the remaining original band members I always felt like Butch and Dickey cared the most and had the most reverence for the band. After those two I figure Warren is next in line. Gregg and Jaimoe seem like it just doesn't matter as much to them. So beyond being personally upset over Butch for various reasons, I think alot of my sadness is related to the idea that the Allman Brothers Band is fading away even faster now without Butch around to pound the pavement or to continue to try to push forward their music in some manner.

I've been wanting to move all my VHS and audio tape ABB collection over to digital copies for some time, but now I feel a larger urgency to do that. Like all this stuff is going to disappear. Probably an illogical thought, but with an aging fan base and no one stirring the pot it struck me. Further you got the Allman's crappy digital trading policy. There are a couple of guys from the old ABB site who had loaded all their audio and video ABB collections onto youtube, it was awesome and covered alot of the stuff I want to transfer, but I looked yesterday and it had all been removed for copyright purposes. It freaks me out and saddens me.

Anyways, trying to understand all the feelings and emotion here. As someone stated on your recent post, your job and the fans job becomes even more important. Someone has to grab the ABB blowhorn like Kirk, Joe Bell, Butch, and yourself already have. It is a huge void, I miss Butch already.

Thanks for your efforts, keep it up.

Ryan

Nice post, Ryan. Good to see your name and others like BillyEddins, Dino, Rob, Tim and others pop up around here, albeit not for the occasion. Sad times.

Ryan,

Thanks for the nice note. I was starting to write you back but figured I might as well do it here so others can see.

Butch was indeed the Allman Brothers' number one fan and his passion drove a lot. People made fun of him ragging on the Stones, Zeppelin, Dead... but I always viewed it as primarily a fierce form of pride: my band can kick your band's ass. And that's how they played and no doubt in my mind how Duane felt.

Just to note: Jaimoe is also fiercely proud of the band's accomplishments. He is just a very mindful person, to put it in trendy terms. He's highly evolved and in the moment. Not one to bang a drum and live so much in the past. He is here always, wherever he is. An incredibly unique, calm, kind-hearted person who elevates me as a human every time I am with him. Part of that is quiet confidence - in himself and also in the band's legacy. Please go back and read what he says in OWO about being scared about Duane leaving for D&D - basically, "I knew we were better so I knew he'd stay."

[Edited on 1/27/2017 by AlPaul]

Thanks Andrew, good to see you as well.

Appreciate the feedback and insight, as always, Alan. Any words from Jaimoe regarding Butch yet? Any memorial plans yet?

Thanks,

Ryan