Guest Book

Yes, it is true that the dismissal of Dickey Betts is tough to comprehend for many people. However, the blame for him leaving does not lay solely with the existing members of the band. I've seen Dickey since his departure with mixed reaction and the ABB with the same, but the bottom line is that Dickey was not fired he was laid off to get his affairs in order and instead he chose to leave the band. His run ins with the law and his hot and cold appearances with the Great Southern leave me to believe that the ABB were justified in their action. I have actually spoken to people who have never seen, nor paid any attention to the ABB since Duane's death, so will be the case with current line up. I don't think for an instance that the ABB thought that dismissing Dickey would bring in more fans and pack the concert halls; however, they, just as Dickey, are also to be commended for moving on and taking the music in a new direction. People, in my life's experience, are always resistant to change, and change is the only constant with the ABB. I am going to see Dickey next week in Charlotte and I hope it is wonderful; however, I will also continue to support the ABB as I do Dickey because of the esthetic enhancement that it brings to my life. Personally I think that the new ABB music is right on the mark and would not be possible with Dickey in the band I also feel the reverse is true. Nevertheless, I feel that the past does not equal the future and that both bands will have a lot to offer ABB fans in the future. If they were to ever reconcile their differences, I do not want it to be done in the name of profit; I want it to be a genuine healing and a true period of forgiveness in the name of music and art.