Guest Book

Hello to everyone & greetings from freezing New Jersey. I've been reading many of the recent posts & would like to offer some perspective & my point of view. I can see the passion & understand the disagreements, but think that posters should be respectful and remember that this is about music -- not war & peace, and certainly not the sad state of the economy. From my vantage point and knowledge ... ON DICKEY BETTS & THE BEACON: Betts deserves a major role in the 40th anniversary shows. It would be nice, but don't hold your breath. And I won't lose any sleep over it. BEACON PRICES: With ticket costing $60.99 to $150.99 -- plus TicketB*st*rd charges -- there better be something special about it. For the 20th anniversary shows at the Beacon, tickets were about $22 and $25. Now time and other factors account for some increases, but a 600% increase for floor seats? THE "BROTHERHOOD": Whatever once existed for the band and its crew -- and possibly, by extension, from them to the fans -- I believe is long gone. If it does still exist, why is no one from the ABB, or Dickey Betts for that matter, scheduled to appear at the benefit for Frankie Toler later this month in Florida? He played in the ABB for over a year and also in the Gregg Allman and Dickey bands for about 10 more. And has Dan Toler, who put in many years with the ABB and Gregg and Dickey bands (about 17 in all) -- including some very lean years with Gregg in the 1980s -- been invited to appear on stage with the ABB since the band re-formed in 1989? Surely, he deserves to be on stage for a song or two at the Beacon. But he & Gregg had a falling out years ago. Does that negate his contributions? ON THE ABB's FUTURE: There has been some talk about the band, possible retirement and how many years it has left. Well, seems to me that ABB already is in semi-retirement. After all, playing 40-50 shows a year is far from a full-time gig. Considering the age of the senior members, that's understandable. 40/30/20 YEARS: There are lines I've seen to the effect of "The ABB has a 40-year tradition ... and "Dickey Betts was in the ABB for 30 years ... ." The band formed in 1969, but was not a working unit for about 10 of the years since then (you can look it up). That means though it is the 40th anniverary, the ABB has been together 30 years and Betts was in the band for about 20. Significant numbers nonetheless -- but not what is often bandied about. BTW: I'll mostly likely pass on the Beacon -- a bit too rich for my blood. Maybe I'll take in a summer show. I like seeing the Gregg and Dickey bands in smaller places; it's more laid-back all-around. I saw the Gregg band put on a strong show last week in Montclair, NJ. About two years ago, I also saw him play nearby -- with much the same song list (13 the same out of 17/18 songs). He and Dickey would do well to mix it up a bit more. Well, I think I've taken up enough space here, for now. Peace. - Tommy