Son of a ‘Ramblin’ Man’: Devon Allman plays Songbirds on July 10

Duane Betts, left, with Devon Allman, whose fathers were Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman, co-founders of the Allman Brothers Band in 1969, are touring together. They will play Songbirds Guitar Museum on Tuesday night. Duane Betts, left, with Devon Allman, whose fathers were Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman, co-founders of the Allman Brothers Band in 1969, are touring together. They will play Songbirds Guitar Museum on Tuesday night.

By Bill Forman July 4, 2018 4 min read

If you go

* What: Devon Allman Project with Duane Betts* Where: Songbirds Guitar Museum, South Stage, 41 Station St.* When: 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 10* Admission: $20 in advance, $23 day of show* For more information: 423-531-2473

As descendants of Southern rock royalty who’ve known each other since they were teenagers, Devon Allman and Duane Betts might have been expected to collaborate decades ago. But it was only recent circumstances that brought them together on tour and also, if all goes according to current plans, in the studio.

“I think the cliché is true: Timing is everything,” said Allman, whose late father, Gregg Allman, was a co-founder along with Duane’s father, Dickey Betts, of the much-revered Allman Brothers Band in 1969.

“Before now, Duane was touring as a sideman in the band Dawes and playing in his father’s band, so he obviously didn’t really have the power to pick and choose his own touring destiny when he was a side cat,” Allman explains.

But after Betts finally released his debut EP, “Sketches of American Music,” in April, the time was right for the two musicians to hit the road together.