The legacy, spirit and music mastery of The Allman Brothers Bands not only survives, but thrives in the hands of Devon Allam (son of Gregg Allman) and Duane Bettes (son of Dickey Betts) in form of their band — The Allman Betts Band. The band evokes all the magic and beauty from The Allmans deep catalog, but it’s also inherently their own band. The duo have been able to put their own soulful signature on this band — making it distinctly their own.
Recently, we caught up with Devon Allman and Duane Betts before their The Lucky Sevens Tour stop at The Music Box at The Borgata Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday June 21.
The Lucky Sevens Tour celebrates the seven-year anniversary of The Allman Betts. Can fans expect anything special on the tour, since it is a tour celebrating the band’s history?
Devon Allman: Yes! Looking forward to a lot of deep cuts that we haven’t played in years this time around.
Duane Betts: It’s really a fun group of tunes for this tour. We are dusting off songs we haven’t played in years and even playing some of ours that we have never played. It’s really good to keep it fresh for ourselves and the fans.
Can you talk about some of your favorite moments over the past seven years of being a band?
DA: Oh man, our first trip to Japan. Filming a music video for “Pale Horse Rider” at Joshua Tree during the pandemic. Opening for [Lynryrd] Skynyrd at American Airlines Arena in Dallas for New Year’s Eve a few years back. Slash of Guns N’ Roses sitting in at last years Family Revival show. Those are just some highlights.
DB: One of my favorite moments was playing Fuji Rock in Japan last year. But, I would have to say our Jazz Fest set in New Orleans was my favorite. It was pretty soon after Dad passed and you could just feel something in the air.
In the press release about the tour it states the band plays its own original songs with songs from The Allman Brothers. Since the band is composed of the sons of the founding fathers of the band, do you ever feel pressure to deliver more Allman Brothers Band songs to the crowd than originals? Or has your fan base embraced what Allman Betts does equally to The Allman Brothers band?
DA: No pressure – hence the yearly Family Revival Tour that focuses on paying an homage to our father’s band and music with an ensemble cast of our talented lovely friends and colleagues.
DB: No – I think they expect to hear a few Brothers tunes and we will deliver on that.
The members of the band have their own solo projects — Devon releasing Miami Moon last year and Duane releasing a number of singles in 2024 — can we expect any of these songs finding their way into the Lucky Sevens Tour?
DA: We usually keep things pretty separate, but ya never know if some cross pollinating could ever happen. We both respect each other’s individual work and cheer each other on.
DB: As of now, we keep the two separate but there really aren’t any rules. This is a beautiful thing.
The last ABB album was Bless Your Heart in 2020. Can we expect a new album from the band in the near future?
DA: In the year 2032.
DB: It’s definitely something that we would do when the time feels right. We’ll see.
What is it that you love about being in the Allman Betts Band?
DA: Oh man it’s just an incredible brotherhood – these lines run deep – we are family and the music and our shared histories and stories keeps us galvanized.
DB: I love the brotherhood. I love these guys so much and I t’s a great home base to come back to for a nice three or four week tour after touring my solo band for multiple runs. It’s refreshing when you don’t do something all the time.
What are five things you’re excited about for The Allman Betts Band in 2025?
DA: Live music – live music – live music – live music – and: music that is played live.
DB: For me, I’m very excited to play Alaska in August. It’s the only state I’ve never been to or played in. We are very fortunate to be able to do this for a living. I don’t care if there are 50 people, 500 or 5000. It’s a joy!
