Buffalo’s a special place for Devon Allman, son of legendary Allman Brothers founder

LEWISTON, NY (WIVB) — With Devon Allman’s husky voice, there’s no doubt that he’s the son of legendary Allman Brothers Band founder and keyboard player Gregg Allman.

But with the Allman Betts Band, he doesn’t just want to honor his father. Allman is a talented songwriter in his own right.He teamed up with fellow Allman Brothers Band member Duane Betts (son of founding guitarist Dickie Betts) and Berry Duane Oakley (son of founding bassist Berry Oakley)the seven-member band is coming to Art Park this Thursday.

Speaking with Devon Allman a week before the show, he said that the group’s sets are typically one-third Allman Brothers Band songs and two-thirds their own songs.

“The two architects of the Allman Brothers Sound were my father, Gregg Allman, [Duane’s] Daddy, Dickie Betts,” Allman said. “If Duane and I get on stage and don’t play anything the fathers are playing, it’s kind of a crisis.” [expletive] move. It’s bad behavior because fans want to hear it. “

Gregg Allman died in 2017 after a battle with liver cancer, and Dickie Betts retired. So it’s nice to be able to make music for them, says Allman, who points out that it’s a delicate balance, but not a difficult one.

Although they still have roots in blues, soul and Southern rock, The Allman Betts Band’s music is far from an imitation of their father’s catalogue. It’s fresh, sometimes heavy, and explores layers of production while somehow maintaining a classic live sound.

it’s special. It goes through many stages, formed from tributes, says Allman, and doesn’t require constant action to stay alive.

After a year-and-a-half hiatus, The Allman Betts Band returned to the stage about a week or two ago for a string of reunion shows. Their performance at Art Park on July 27th will be the last of their recent reunion show, and likely their last in 2023.

“It’s a living, breathing entity, The Allman Betts Band. “We will be acting on our own whim when it comes to that project.”

But that doesn’t mean it’s time to go home for the rest of the year. Allman will return to touring with Donavon Frankenreiter in August this year, not only performing shows but also challenging the world record of 50 shows in 49 days. This means that you never have a day off.

Allman says the idea has been around for about a decade. 50 shows in 50 days has been done before. NME says it’s actually three. George Sologood did it first in 1981, then The Melvins in 2012, and most recently Frank Turner (the first non-American artist) to do it in 2022, music publications say.

“I know it’s going to be a memory of a lifetime. Honestly, it never fails when it comes to releasing a tour… There’s always someone in the social media fray who’s like, ‘What’s up against New Hampshire?’ Or, “You guys will never come to Alaska as long as I live.” [Expletive] Everyone,” laughed Allman. “We’re going to bring music to every state.”

For New York, the tour destination is Montauk, and for Pennsylvania, Bethlehem, the latter arriving the day after a performance in Annapolis, Maryland.

Traveling and seeing the uniqueness of different parts of the world is Allman’s favorite part of traveling.

“It’s been said that you can really get to know yourself by pulling yourself out of your familiar surroundings,” he says.

He’s been to Buffalo before, and coming from the South, Buffalo means a lot to him. Allman believes he played his first sold-out show here about 17 years ago.

“Buffalo has always had a special place in my heart…we love buffalo,” he says.

Of course, you can’t come to Buffalo without knowing that it’s an iconic foodie city. Talking about pizza, beef on wick, and wings, Allman says he always has wings when he visits.

“I had smoked wings there once and they were the best I’ve ever had,” he says.

Sure, going out has its downsides, but Allman says it’s time in his career to be more influential, both at work and off. He feels lucky to be able to do that.

“Just when I was getting sick of traveling, I took a month off, and just when I was getting sick of staying at home, tours were coming up,” he says.

After all, he is not married to the stage. As of recently, Allman has a wife (actually a doctor) at his home in St. Louis. She and his son, Pug, healthy sleep habits, and a place where they can express their love of cooking make home a happy place.

“We have a really good life, but I kind of miss you when you’re gone,” says Allman. Fortunately, however, Allman’s wife can sometimes accompany him on his journeys.

Allman said he and the whole band are “thrilled” about the impending return to the 716. Devon Allman has taken his father’s last name, but he’s forging his own path.

Ticket information for the Allman Betts Band show headlined by Larkin Poe on July 27 can be found here.