Allman Betts Band will bring their gritty, yet melodically beautiful music to the Chesterfield Amphitheater this Sunday, being the first band to hit the stage since the start of the Pandemic that brought life as we know it to a screeching halt. The venue is hosting the band for a night of socially distanced live music.
I got a chance to catch up with Devon Allman, St. Louis’ own and co-founder of the band, while in Malibu resting up for their upcoming set of dates.
There is no shortage of exceptional talent in this 7-piece group. Allman shares that the band “started in the back of a tour bus” and that they are “one of the first bands in history to have the sons of a famous band to be in a band together.” In addition to them, the band is rounded out by world class, fantastic musicians.
The band is made up of the children of members of the Allman Brothers: Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman), Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts), and Berry Oakley, Jr. (son of Berry Oakley), as well as John Ginty (founding member of Robert Randolph’s Family Band and has played with Dixie Chicks and Wu Tang Clan, among so many other notable projects), Johnny Stachela ( Leroy Powell: Shooter Jennings and Sturgill Simpson), R. Scott Bryan (Eric Clapton, Emmy Lou Harris, Black Crowes, and more), and John Lum (world class drummer hailing from Ferguson, Missouri).
Their latest album release, Bless Your Heart (BMG, August 2020), presents a beautifully arranged, multi-textural experience for Allman Betts fans. During our chat, Allman states that fans can look forward to music that “has never been seen or heard performed live.” With regard to this double album, he said, “We still haven’t hit the stage with a third of the material. So, we’re looking forward to doing that on this run. We’re going to finally be able to play everything off the record.”
After listening to this album from front to back, I couldn’t agree more with Allman when he described the multi-genre infused project as “Americana with teeth, having a bit of a bite, setting us apart from just traditional Southern Rock.”
Allman Betts Band isn’t the only project that Devon has been busy with. He has developed his own independent label called, Create Records, featuring Jackson Stokes who he brought on board in 2019, as well as The River Kittens; both local artists. He describes the vision and mission of this label as a “launching pad for careers.” He added that his intent is to “give back” and “nurture artists [who deserve] to be given a shot. It’s 100% about the music.” The River Kittens album will be released on May 28, 2021. Look for both acts to open for Allman Betts for the remainder of this year.
With regard to not only Allman Betts Band, but Jackson Stokes, River Kittens, and all of the other projects that he’s ever shared with the world, Devon whole-heartedly stated that orchestrating these projects “has turned into a love affair to me.” He added that all of these works and artists are “not just undeniably good, but they’re great. They’re working their asses off and continue to do so for the love of their craft.” He said, “Nobody gets lucky. Some just work harder and harder to get their work to a level of greatness. Greatness will always find an audience.”
Allman offered very enthusiastically, “We can’t wait to rock out to the hometown crowd.”
Tickets remain for the socially distanced show and you can buy them right here.
Allman Betts Band, w/ Jackson Stokes and The River Kittens, Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Chesterfield Amphitheater, 7:00 P.M. CDT
Don’t forget to grab their latest release Bless Your Heart on vinyl and “hear it as it was meant to be heard.” – Devon Allman.
