The Allman Betts Band played at The Cabot on June 8, 2024. The public was very excited to see the group performing live with all the members on the stage. Devon Allman (guitar, vocals), Duane Betts (guitar, vocals), Justin Corgan (bass, vocals), Johnny Stachela (guitar, vocals), John Ginty (Keyboards), John Lum (drums), and Alex Orbison (drums, percussion, vocals). Alex, son of the legendary Roy Orbison, is a new member of the band. He stepped in for the late R. Scott, a founding member of the Allman Betts Band who passed away in December 2023.
THE HISTORY
Devon and Duane are the sons of two founding members of the Allman Brothers Band: Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman), Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts). Group leader Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971.
At the Cabot located at 286 Cabot Street, Beverly, Massachusetts, the Allman Betts Band has played a series of entertaining songs. The set list was rich and varied. The band started the show with the song Magnolia Road, and continued with King Crawler featured in 2020’s Bless Your Heart. They successively played Shinin’, Blue Sky (The Allman Brothers cover), Melissa, Savannah’s Dream), Rivers Run, Seven Turns (The Allman Brothers cover), Southern Rain, Down to the River, Carolina Song, and ended the night with Long Gone.
One of the finest blues/rock outfits in the world right now, in a press release shared by the group Duane Betts said, “It feels great to have the Allman Betts Band back together for this tour. We have a very special bond and it’s always a blast when we get together on that stage. We will miss our brother R. Scott Bryan immensely but very grateful to have our long-time friend Alex Orbison with us.”
Devon Allman also shared a quote, adding, “Effortless and great vibes to be back on tour with my brothers…The Allman Betts Band is really a home-base for all of us, where we can celebrate our friendship, our history, our original music and our father’s music. It’s a very special circle of cats. I know R. Scott’s spirit is always with us and he just loved Orbi so much, so it’s all pretty poetic.”
THE PERFORMANCE
The atmosphere was electric at The Cabot. The fans were in a state of excitement. They repeated in chorus the lyrics from the song Down To The River.
“I can tell you now
You’ve been feelin’ down
Just go down to the river
Down to the river
Now
You have lost your way
Starin’ off in space
Just go down to the river
Down to the river
To pray
Oo-oo Oo- oo Oo -oo”
Other songs featured throughout the night included Magnolia Road and Shinin‘. Blue Sky, Melissa, and Seven Turns were key Allman Brothers Band songs covered through their set. They capped the night off with Statesboro Blues.
It was a great night of music. For many of those who were present at the theater, the presence of Devon and Duane reminded them the iconic Allman Brothers Band with Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts sharing the stage in the late 60’s.
KEEPING UP WITH THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND
The Allman Betts Band has three more announced shows so far this year. All shows are in July, with one being in Japan. July 6, 2024 they will be at the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, California. After that, they are set to hit the Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu on July 25, 2024. Their Japan show will be at the Fuji Rock Festival in Minamiuonuma, Japan on July 28, 2024.
THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND – WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – X – YOUTUBE – SPOTIFY
THE CABOT – WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – X
JOANNA GLEASON – INSTAGRAM
DANCE YOUR FACE OFF – WEBSITE – INSTAGRAM – FACEBOOK – X – YOUTUBE