When I lived in Birmingham, Ala., a few years back, my best friend was the bass player in the band I was in. He wasn’t much of a singer, but the man could walk, slap, and thump his way all over the neck of his instrument. I learned a few songs from Mike Aker, but the songs that he taught me that stuck closest to me where several Allman Brothers songs. My favorite happened to be “Whipping Post.” It got to the point that I didn’t think we’d played enough of our hearts out unless we covered “Whipping Post.” After we jammed on that one, I felt okay when we closed the evening out. Then, after we got to Mike and Gina’s place, we would play guitar for another couple of hours, and then we’d put on an Allman Brothers album, and all of us would slowly drift off – music, friendship, and the Allman Brothers music playing softly in the wee hours of the morning, it’s all stuff of good music and good memories.
Up until the last evening of Riverbend 2006, I’d never seen the Allman Brothers Band in concert – ever. I honestly did not think I would, until I noticed their name on the musical line-up for the festival earlier this year. Even then I wasn’t sure I was going to be around Chattanooga during the festival at all. I had been working down in Daytona Beach, and was on my way up to northern Minnesota in order to finish up a novel I’d been working on. Still, I’ve been around long enough to know that few things in life are written in stone. I stumbled onto a nice place, got a heads up on a new writing project kicking off in late June, and, as timing seems to weave its way into the life of musicians on a regular basis, I was able to make the Riverbend Festival, and had a chance to hear my buddy, Mike’s, heroes.
I didn’t know much about the Allman Brothers Band before this evening (I still don’t know much). I knew they had been around since the late 1960s and early 70s. I knew that they had a Top 40 hit years ago ("Rambling Man"), I had heard “Jessica,” and thought that “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” was pure magic, and I remembered, “I’m No Angel” from the mid-1980s. That’s about the extent of my Allman Brothers music until Mike started playing those old albums of his, late in the Birmingham nights. Thanks to Mike Acker, I knew enough about the Allmans to know that I wanted to catch their show. I knew that the original line-up was never to reach the stage again. I remember other musicians telling me about Duane Allman, his almost other worldly skill on slide guitar, and how he tragically ended his tenure with the band. I remembered the news about Lamar Williams back in the early 80s. I knew there had been line-up changes, but I also knew about the reputation of the band, and had Mike’s old albums to peak my curiosity.
The warm Chattanooga evening was a fitting introduction for this band with such a history. As I do not have an official head count on people in attendance, let me simply present that it was the biggest crowd this week, so I’ve got to guesstimate the numbers at well over 100,000. I do know that just as the Allman Brothers launched into their opening, the audible swell was tremendous. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to be standing in front of 100,000 people – I’m not sure I would want to know, I don’t even like more than three people in an elevator. I do know that the Allman Brothers Band are old souls and have “been there, and done it” when it comes to such crowds.
What can I tell anybody about the music? Nothing. It’s somewhat irrelevant at this point in history just who’s playing in the band, because now it’s been handed down, year after year, player after player. Yes, there were several original members in the line up. Greg Allman was there and in form. I believe JJ Johanson was there, and wasn’t that Butch Trucks? Anyway, I had the good fortune to luck upon Mr. Bill Geisenhoffer, one of the wonderful volunteer staff workers who help so much run so smoothly. Bill had been an early fan of the Allman Brothers Band. Bill had caught them way back in history, back in 1970 to be exact. The Allman Brothers were playing a gig up in Cookeville, Tn., at Tennessee Tech. Bill’s brother had an extra ticket, and the rest is history – Bill became a fan. He told me a little bit more about the original line up, and gave his own opinion of what he was hearing at Riverbend; bottom line? Bill Geisenhoffer had no complaints, and told me that he definitely felt that Greg Allman had aged, yes, but his vocals and playing were in as fine a form as ever. Perhaps Bill knows about fine wines, and how the years often put the perfection into their linage? Musicians can often age just as well, sometimes even finer.
As for me, I’m glad I got this chance to catch a bit of musical history. I know that I’m looking forward to seeing Mike and Gina Acker later this summer. Perhaps, just maybe, I’ll have an even better appreciation of Mike’s favorite band, and I can thank him for steering me in just the right direction that the “crossroads” of life allowed me last night’s musical treat.
P.S.
I did not want to let this year slip by without saying thank you to all the volunteers, EMTs, police officers, musical artists (all of them), the roving musicians (special thanks to Olta and their traditional Celtic music – your music was really a joy), and all the others. A warm thank you to Sonny, Susan, Nancy, Chris, and all the crew who helped turn everybody’s Riverbend 2006 a wonderful experience.
Bless you all, and, God willing, I’ll see you next year.
Take care,
Jay Mouton
Wholerest58@comcast.net