By Danny Coleman
originally published: 08/20/2020
"That's a just a funny tongue in cheek southern thing; it's kind of sassy tongue in cheek. I think everyone may have their own meaning for it as to why we named it that. I remember my grandmother on my dad's side was southern and I'd go over there and she'd be cooking fried chicken and collard greens and say, "Bless Your Heart" kind of sarcastically; like they don't know anything but not derogatory, or you can say it literally; it can be taken either way.
There's no denying the lineage from which the Allman Betts Band came but let there be no mistake; they are their own entity wrapped up in a blanket of influences which includes their famous fathers, classic rock, blues and more.
A recent conversation with guitarist/vocalist Duane Betts revealed just where the band is at, where they're going, how they are managing themselves in the pandemic, the upcoming release of their second album "Bless Your Heart" and more.
"We sure do have a new record," said an enthusiastic Betts. "We recorded it down at Muscle Shoals in Alabama and we are really pleased with it; it turned out really excellent and we're excited for people to hear it. We did our first record there, we liked it and figured; why change it if it worked the first time. We used the same producer, Matt Ross-Spang from Memphis Tennessee and we went straight to tape again; so yeah, we wanted to stick with the same kind of approach. The material is a lot different; I think we took a lot more chances and it shows a lot of growth as far as the spectrum of influences and the overall body of work on this second record but as far as the approach of where we did it and who we did it with; that was the same. We didn't use any digital, we used two-inch tape and then we mixed down the tape and it has its specific sound and it just sounds great."
New record coming out August 28, pandemic in and after their highly successful debut album "Down To The River" the band was looking forward to showcasing this one due in part to its, "Vast" differences from the first; where do they go from here?
"The new record; we're really proud of it," continued Betts. "We are really excited about it, it's a powerful experience, it's sweeping, it's vast. There's a really wide spectrum of influences; that's my take on it; as to how it differs from the first record; the first record had really good ingredients, it was well made, it showed that we were true to our heritage so to speak but this one is that and also branches off in many other directions and shows a lot of other different colors and influences. We love a lot of different stuff; we love George Harrison so we should have some stuff that sounds like that; it's just exciting to have a record. This (The pandemic) could've happened at the start of making the record and that would've been a real bummer; you can look at it like, man that's a good thing that we got our record done before everything was shut down."
"Magnolia Road" is the first single we released in June, it's a song written by our good friend Stoll Vaughn who we write quite a bit with; he wrote it by himself actually which is somewhat ironic because it's somewhat semi-autobiographical; he's really good at that. It's a really good feeling tune, it has a summery, festival, Allman Brothers/Grateful Dead kind of thing a little bit but then the next tune we released in July had a totally different feel so we're excited about that too."
"It's just kind of the situation we're all in but what makes it a little easier is to know that nobody can tour and even if you could it's just not a good idea now with what's going on. We're all kind of in the same boat; it's a little frustrating but we know we'll be able to tour at some point. It's a little unorthodox to put out a record and then start a tour several months later or however many months later. We'll see how it goes; we're taking it month by month; there's other ways. People can still hear the music and you can do livestreams; there's other avenues to get it out there. When we do go back on tour it's going to be really exciting; it'll be odd but it will be a great feeling."
So, how exactly did the Allman Betts Band come together?
"We just kind of; we've known each other for a while," explained Betts. "Devon was going on tour; I had just done my first solo record and he invited me to come out as an opening act and then jam together. We just wanted to see what would happen and feel it out and then we started writing and that led to the first record which we put out and toured on that last year and then here we are; we just did the second record. So yeah, it just kind of came together, we'd talked about it on and off over the years; it was the timing of it and it just felt natural, like an organic next step in our careers and everybody's career. When we formed the band, we put our heads together to put together a really great band; people we felt were suited to be in this band and it's been fun touring around the world. Obviously, this was before everything got shut down but every week it seemed like there was a new height reached, it seemed like a new musical highlight. So, it is really going great and we can't wait to get back out there."
Since they can't, "Get back out there" just yet; what do they plan on doing to stay in touch with the fan base as well as with the new release later this month? Betts says that he's going to use the time to reconnect with loved ones and even himself to a degree.
"Devon has been doing a lot of livestreams and I've been putting tunes up on Instagram and Facebook; every now and then I'll do a tune just sitting on my couch. You take what the universe will give you, it's not like it's this huge bummer and an, oh, why me situation. Obviously, this is what's happening, this is what the universe wants and we have time off. We have worked so hard over the last couple of years touring constantly that I think it might do a lot of people some good having the time off personally. So, when something like this happens you spend time with your family, get in touch with nature, you write songs; I've been writing more than I would if I were on a bus with 12 dudes, or in sound check or in a dressing room with three dudes; do you know what I mean? I have a lot of space and time to write; so, there's always something good that can come from something that is perceived as bad. Obviously, nobody wants to be in the situation we're in but you can definitely turn it into a positive in other avenues. There's stuff on the horizon, nobody knows when touring is going to open up agin but we can't control that. I'm not really that worried about it, I'm trying to stay mellow, take care of myself, spend time with my puppy and my wife, go hiking and enjoying life. There's a lot of people who need help too, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a good situation that's going on now. That's kind of my mental approach to the whole thing; it's really out of our control and the last thing that I want to do is try and push it and go out there too early. I'd rather wait until it feels really good and then go out there and start playing shows for folks again; I think that's where a lot of people stand with it. Devon does these livestreams and raises money for our touring crew, so God bless that; there are avenues to get some folks taken care of during this off time while we can't work."
To purchase "Bless Your Heart" and/or discover more about the Allman Betts Band, please visit www.allmanbettsband.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Arts Council of Princeton 102 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-8777
Sat. 7 p.m. Cafe Improv w/ Pyrenesia, (TBA). $2
Broken Goblet Brewing 2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mike Estabrook
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Patio Music Fridays"
Sat. 8 p.m. "Patio Music Saturday"
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam Hosted by The Mojo Gypsies. $5 (Includes hot buffet)
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Clubhouse at Mountain View 850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing
(609) 771-0400
Fri. 6 p.m. Glenn McCollum and Celtic Connection
COARadio.com 125 South Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. John DeNicola / Dan Leyes
Cooper's Riverview 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Union
Fri. 7 p.m. The Mix
Sat. 7 p.m. "Social Saturdays" feat. Kindred Spirit
Mon. 7 p.m. "Sunny Monday Blues Jam"
Tues. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ Karen and Mark
Wed. 8 p.m. Blues Night
All Events Ages 21+
Dacey's Pub 215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-4838
Fri. 6 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. Kate & Bob
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo
Dog & Bull Brew House 810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Fri. 6 p.m. Brian Elliott
Sat. 4 p.m Dustin Beck
Sun. 4 p.m. Dana Collins
German American Society 215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton
(609) 585-5200
Fri. 7 p.m. "Rainbow Full of Sound" outdoors at The Biergarten. $20, Doors open at 6 p.m.
Hamilton Elks 1580 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 585-8610
Fri. 7 p.m. Tiltin' Catz
Hamilton Tap & Grill 557 US Route 130 North Hamilton
(609) 905-0925
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Wed. 7 p.m. Country Night. $5
Hopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Michael Andrew
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Winery Catz
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. The Lifters
Sun. 3 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Acoustic DuOver
Iron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 7 p.m. Lara Grant
Sat. 7 p.m. The Williamsboy
Sun. 1 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Killarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Sat. 6 p.m. Mario DiBartolo & Frank Clayton
Laurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Fri. 6 p.m. "Sounds of Summer Series: Music on the Lawn" feat. Pennington Station Band
Sat. "Blueberry Crush 2" feat. (12 p.m.) The Bergers (4:30 p.m.) DC Trio
Sun. "Blueberry Crush 2" feat. (12 p.m.) Rick Winow (4:30 p.m.) The Surge
McGuinn's Place 1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
Old Town Pub 135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 291-9232
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Fri. 7 p.m. Radio Fiction
Patriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"
Revere Restaurant802 River Road Ewing
(609) 882-6365
Fri. 9 p.m. Danny Lynch Project
Romeo's Restaurant & Pizza10 Schalks Crossing Road Plainsboro
(609) 799-4554
Fri. 7 p.m. The Blue-Eyed Balladeer
Rossi's Bar & Grill 2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 890-2004
Thurs. 6 p.m. Ernie White
Sparky World Famous Beer Garden4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-2321
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Mon. 9 p.m. Game Night w/ Kid Dalton
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7p.m. Steve Guyger
Fri. 6 p.m. Kate & Bob
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly (outdoors)
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney
Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310
Fri. 5 p.m. "Sips & Sounds Friday" feat. Jerry Steele
Sat. 1 p.m. Brian Bortnick
Sun.1 p.m. "Sunday Music Series" feat. Barbara Lin Band
TGI Fridays 319 US Highway 130 North East Windsor
(609) 490-1450
Thurs. 7 p.m. Paul Plumeri Duo
TGI Fridays 685 Middletown Blvd. Langhorne, PA
(215) 750-8002
Sat. 7 p.m. Ernie White
The Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn 248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Total Request w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Tindall Road Brewing Co.102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Thirsty Thursdays" (7 p.m.) Top 5 Trivia
Fri. 6 p.m. The Successful Failures
Sat. 7 p.m. Too Many Kings
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Wed. 7 p.m. Monk & Monk
All Shows 21+
Train Wreck Distillery25 Madison Avenue Mount Holly
(609) 288-6300
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Dave Murray
Trenton Social 449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. (5 p.m.) "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday" (8 p.m.) EDM Hosted by Jay Kountree
Fri. 5 p.m. DJ ItsJustAhmad
Sat. 9 p.m. Gravity Centered Acoustic
Mon. 8 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by Sweets
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Kyle & Mike
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage
All shows 21+
VFW Post 352577 Christine Avenue Hamilton
(609) 890-9809
Fri. 6 p.m. Joe Hutchinson
Village Idiot Brewing Company42 High Street Mount Holly
(609) 975-9270
Sun. 1 p.m. Open Mic
Wildflowers Inn 2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sun. 4:30 p.m. Love & Duffy
Working Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Sat. 1 p.m. Jersey Shore Cats
Sun. 2 p.m. Chris Giakas
WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 RadioMCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Mon. 7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues"
About the author:
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Orchestra Players present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson
For more than three decades, Joe Farnsworth has been one of the most admired drummers in modern jazz, revered for his superb technique, driving swing, and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition. A Massachusetts native mentored by legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, Farnsworth has appeared on nearly 400 recordings and performed with an astonishing array of jazz masters, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed hard bop collective, One for All, alongside longtime musical associates tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, and pianist David Hazeltine.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
FEATURED EVENTS
