The Allman Betts Band rambles through Uptown, paying tribute to their rock & roll fathers

December 16, 2024

Joe Ellett, Allison Scavo,

The Allman Betts Family Revival at Uptown Theater on Dec. 15, 2024. // Photo by Allison Scavo

The Allman Betts Family Revival is nothing short of an amazing conglomeration of wildly talented musicians paying homage to all-time great rock and rollers, The Allman Brothers Band.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, The Allman Betts Band—consisting of Gregg Allman’s and Dickie Betts’ sons Devon Allman and Duane Betts, along with drummers John Lum and Alex Orbison, bassist Justin Corgan, guitarist and vocalist Johnny Stachela, and John Ginty on keys—took over Uptown Theater for nearly three hours of good vibrations.

Devon and Duane bounced between lead guitar and vocals throughout the night while also filling in on countless instruments at the artists’ disposal. While the band consists of just the seven core members, about 15 other artists joined them on stage, including Luther and Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Lindsay Lou, Lamar Williams Jr., Anders Osborne, Jackie Greene, Larry McCray, Robert Randolph, Sierra Green, Grace Bowers, G. Love, and Mattie Shell.

Yes, over 20 musicians with a widespread stage presence and range of talent were interchanging between each tune—the true definition of a jam band.

The Allman Betts Family Revival at Uptown Theater on Dec. 15, 2024. // Photo by Allison Scavo

The group opened with instrumental “Don’t Want You No More,” as each member got their feet wet through their own respective solos before transitioning into “It’s Not My Cross to Bear”—both tracks off of The Allman Brothers’ debut self-titled album from 1969. Devon took the reigns of vocals while hammering away on the organ to get the crowd settled into a night full of stone-cold blues.

Following after, Jimmy Hall took the stage to belt out vocals on “Statesboro Blues”—a song that The Allman Brothers typically turned to as an intro for their concerts back in the day. With a simple hand gesture, the entire crowd, mixed of mostly middle-aged and elderly attendees, rose to its feet for the fan favorite.

As the night carried on, the musicians wielding each instrument were in constant rotation. With every song the band turned to play, a few new faces were revealed. Each song quickly turned into ten-minute takes, where nearly all of the group found individual solos throughout.

To dissect each song that was performed on The Uptown stage that night would be to open a series of books and relearn the context within. While all of the tracks were phenomenal, there were standouts that will live in my memory for quite some time—”Blue Sky,” led by Devon on vocals and guitar, “Come And Go Blues,” led by Mattie Shell, and an extended cut of “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed,” where all of the guitarists executed extraordinary solos in tribute to Dickie Betts’ past lover who was actually dating Boz Scaggs during their affair were three of the most memorable tunes from the first set.

The Allman Betts Family Revival at Uptown Theater on Dec. 15, 2024. // Photo by Allison Scavo

After taking about a 20-minute intermission following the lustrous laudation, the band jumped into a dueling solo between Duane and Devon before playing “Seven Turns.”

Highlights of the second setlist included “Soulshine,” led by Larry McCray, “Rambling Man,” led by Anders Osborne, and “Whipping Post,” in which Jimmy Hall made his return after being backstage since he sang “Statesboro Blues.”

Wrapping the night up, all 20 plus of the artists joined together on stage for what seemed like almost a never-ending rendition of “Midnight Rider.”

Considering Dickie Betts passed away in April this year, this night—and the overall tour—of reverence had to have been emotionally taxing for these artists who have deep personal connections to the late guitarist, specifically Duane being Dickie’s only son.

This night was more than just an assortment of several extended jazz, rock, blues, and country meshed tracks displayed for viewers enjoyment; It is and was the ultimate tribute to some of the most legendary rock and roll hall of famers in the most beautiful way possible—getting as many amazingly gifted musicians as possible on one stage, sharing one cohesive breath.

Although I never had the chance to see The Allman Brothers, this is as close as I, and anyone else who falls under the category, will get, and it must not be taken for granted. These kin have ties that run much deeper than the average band, with memories that span several generations. The blood of the band and fallen members flows through Devon and Duane, and it was an absolute joy to bear witness to some of the greatest classic rock hits to reach eardrums on display over 50 years in the making.

The Allman Betts Band Setlist
Don’t Want You No More
It’s Not My Cross to Bear
Statesboro Blues
Trouble No More
Blue Sky
Please Call Home
Melissa
Come And Go Blues
Southbound
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
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Seven Turns
Good Clean Fun
Soulshine
Dreams
Rambling Man
Whipping Post
End of the Line
Midnight Rider