If you missed the final tour by The Allman Brothers Band at the end of 2014, don’t give up hope yet. Gregg Allman might be busy with solo projects, but you still catch some of the band’s other core members performing with a new group called Les Brers – a nod to the instrumental “Les Brers in A Minor” from the ABB’s 1972 Eat A Peach album. The group is set to appear at Cox Capitol Theatre in Macon, Georgia on March 23-24, as well as at two summer festivals – Wanee Festival in Live Oak, Florida on April 15th and Peach Music Festival in Scranton, Pennsylvania on August 11th. Allman will also be performing solo at both fests (and with The String Cheese Incident at the Peach), but no mention has been made about whether or not he’ll take the stage with Les Brers.
The forthcoming spinoff shows promise new songs, new covers and undoubtedly some classic ABB tunes as well. Participating in the group are founding band members and drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson and longtime members Oteil Burbridge (bass) and Marc Quinones (percussion), former guitarist Jack Pearson, singer Lamar Williams, Jr. (son of former bassist Lamar Williams), frequent guest Bruce Katz (keyboards), and guitarist Pat Bergeson, who has performed with Chet Atkins and Lyle Lovett.
Here’s the band billed as Butch Trucks’ Les Brers performing at the 2015 Peach Music Festival:
In other Allman Brothers news, an expanded version of Allman’s Laid Back Festival will return this year after the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural fest. Fans can catch the fest, which is headlined and curated by the singer himself, in five U.S. cities this summer (see Best Classic Bands‘ report here). The ever-busy Allman is also planning a new studio album, to be recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama this month. Little is known about the forthcoming record, but he’s mentioned a desire to cut some Jackson Browne songs – Gregg cut Browne’s “These Days” on his 1973 debut solo album, Laid Back, as well as old-school blues numbers (learn more in our news item).
Check out Ticketfly for more information about tickets to the Macon dates, and visit the official Les Brers website for details about festival dates and future performances.
