DICKEY BETTS-Guitar/Vocals ANDY ALEDORT-Guitar ..... PEDRO AREVALO-Bass ..... DUANE BETTS-Guitar ..... MIKE KACH-Keyboards/Vocals ..... FRANKIE LOMBARDI-Drums JAMES VARNADO-Drums
Dickey Betts, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, has one of the most distinctive voices in music today. Known as one of the most influential guitar players of all time, Betts has mastered a seamless style of lyrical melody and rhythm -- marrying country, jazz, blues, and rock into one unparalleled sound. The New York Times has called Betts "one of the great rock guitarists…[who thinks like a jazz improviser, in thoughtfully structured, cleanly articulated, intelligently paced phrases…[when] Mr. Betts was tearing into one of his improvisations, the music was about as exciting as rock and roll gets."
Playing since he can remember, Betts joined several bands in the sixties and eventually formed a band with bassist Berry Oakley. One fateful night in 1969, Betts and Oakley's band jammed with another local group featuring Duane and Gregg Allman, marking the birth of the Allman Brothers Band.
In addition to matching band leader Duane Allman lick for lick, Betts also wrote such memorable songs as "Revival" and the instrumental tour de force "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." After Duane Allman and Berry Oakley were killed in accidents a year apart in 1971 and 1972, the ABB worked through their sorrow, with Betts writing and singing the group's biggest hit, "Ramblin' Man".
Members of the band ventured into solo careers in 1973, and Betts released his first solo album Highway Call, in 1974. The ABB split up in 1976, and Betts formed Dickey Betts and Great Southern. The group reformed in 1978, but soon split again, and Betts formed the Dickey Betts Band releasing Pattern Disruptive in 1988.
In 1989, their 20th anniversary, the Allman Brothers Band reformed. The chemistry that resulted from the unique two-guitar approach of Warren Haynes and Betts made the Allman Brothers Band once again one of the most compelling bands in the country. The ABB enjoyed continued success throughout the nineties -- being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, winning their first Grammy, and amazing audiences with their powerful live performances.
A year after the ABB celebrated their 30th anniversary, Betts formed the Dickey Betts Band and hit the road on his own. His guitar sound is still immediately recognizable, with soaring leads providing musical wings, and his road-seasoned vocals reflecting grit and hard-earned respect.
Dickey Betts & Great Southern's Friend Space (Top 19)
I met you at the Birchmere, the end of a 36 year pilgramage for me. Thankyou for the inspiration, the music and for giving me 2 minutes to shake your hand. I truely felt like Garth from Waynes World "I'm not worthy"
Howdy Mr. Betts, Thanks for your friendship and the great music on your page. Just uploaded my original new song "My Future Showed Up Late". It's a toe tapper about southern style karma and us good ole boys. It's got my good buddy Ray MaGee on pedal steel cookin' up a storm. Enjoy and let me know how you like it. Thanks, Dexter
The Rockers are offering Land of the Free as a free download during the Independence Day weekend as a gesture of support for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families. We are releasing the song ahead of schedule to support our American heroes. God bless the USA!
Thanks Dickey you are still my biggest influence and I grew up listening to you. I met your daughter in west linn oregon about 5 years ago giving a bid on a landscape job. Anyway hope ya like some of my songs I wrote. Lord bless ya ! John
Shit Howdy, just thought I'd stop by and tell y'all again what a great sound you have! We're in the studio again and after a rocky start we're firin' on all eight. I'll upload a new hillbilly rocker when I get the mix right. (Took me 6 months last time) Just kiddin'. Stay tuned and stop by every spell or two. Grace and inspiration to you, Dexter
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