Dickey Betts -Allman Brothers Museum 

You said tell you a big house story .Well about 4 years ago me and my bandmate/mandolin player where headed to Sarasota from New England. I've been wanting to see it for years as the brothers are my all time faves. We new it cost money to see it but me and my friend had enough money collectively to get us to Sarasota. We where just gonna check it out from the outside but once we where there a voice told me"go ask, you deserve to see this so when we walked in, Rex was working the front desk taking car of some customers, when he got to us I BASICALLY SAID" we have no money, we're traveling musicians on te way to florida" I started to tear up when telling Rex how much they meant to me. Right then he said really low" go ahead fill this out, start looking around and I'll be back to show you around in a minuite".5 hours later the tour ended and we left. Not only the biig house but Rex took us to rose hill, all over Macon, H and H restaurant AND Capricorn records, the whole thing, they where opening Capricorn as a museum in 2 days so me and my friend where the first to tour it! What a classy guy Rex is. I'll always cherish that day.

Thank You Otis for showing Dickey respect ❤️🕯️🌹

My friends Torrie and crew did the restoration on the Big House a few years back. Deep ABB roots, here...

With Dickey's passing, I did a deep dive into some concert footage of the band. There was a period of the group I was unfamiliar with, and that was when Jack Pearson played with them. Absolutely stunned and blown away by his playing. My descent into the rabbit hole continued, but now it also included me discovering this amazing guitarist. ( And feeling very much like a rank amateur for not having heard of him before this. ) Appreciate you taking the time to take us along virtually to celebrate Dickey and the Allman Brothers. Dickey was very much a part of my formative years when learning guitar. He could solo in the happiest of major keys, and make it sound rough and ready. "Legend" is a descriptor that gets bandied about way too often, but that's what Mr. Betts is.

I went some years back (2011) and Stillwater was playing out back on the stage. I bought Greg's at the time brand new double album "Low Country Blues" from the store. We toured the museum. Stillwater was allowed to play the gold Les Paul that night and it sounded sweet. Jimmy Hall was there and played sax and harmonica. It was a great night. My wife paid for the trip for my 60th birthday gift and I took a great friend with me. We went to the diner, went to the cemetery, went to the mansion where the band posed for that photo on their first album (we posed too and had someone take our photo!) A wonderful time.

My Wife and I were in Macon last July for my nephews wedding. We had some time and since it was on my bucket list we went and spent some good time there. I will say it was quite an experience as The Allman Brothers were a big part of my growing up and many of my friends up here in North Carolina in the early to mid '70s. Of course ,I was taken aback looking at all the old gear. Well worth the price of admission to visit.

Never forget the night Allman Brothers played on Don Kirshners Rock Show. Dickey sang Ramblin Man. The audience mouths were open like what is this great sounding music.

Thanks for taking us along Otis.

Dickey will be laid to rest in Sarasota /Osprey Florida

The allmans set the bar for blues, jam rock, southern rock and much more.

Thanks so much for this little tour. I didn't know the house was a museum. I'm a Georgia native and my mother was born in Macon in 1913. I was an Allman Brothers fan from the time I first heard them at the Atlanta Pop Festival (which wasn't really in Atlanta). Hard to believe there's only Jaimo now. I be old.

Was there in August 2023, picked up a few souvenirs, the museum is a living history of ABB! Thanks Otis, RIP Mr. Betts

A visit to this house is now on my bucket list! The first time I heard Statesboro Blues off the At Fillmore East album, as an aspiring 15 year old guitarist, down in Cape Town South Africa, my home town, back in '72, once the album made it down here, I was absolutely enthralled by the sound. Not having heard much slide guitar before, I played that album night and day for months to try and figure out what this guy called Duane was doin. It took a lifetime to figure it, which I eventually did, by watching RU-vid videos of Warren Haynes performing it with the reformed Allman band in the 90's. Information was scare down here during the 1970's, a lot of it was banned and censored, and albums with non-white members were banned outright. But there was a clandestine pipeiline of US albums making their way down to South Africa, and we shared these albums. What a band, with a rich and tragic history that played out in the racially divided south, not unlike the racially divided country I grew up in.

Playing first base for the Allman Brothers Band, that's a memory you won't soon forget

those bassman and bandmaster heads were also my go to heads in the 70 and 80's they are such work hoarse's and it so nice to see the legendary alembic bass...

Rex Dooley: The greatest ambassador for a museum Ive ever heard.

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Was there in 2017 and it was awesome. They let me bring my Goldtop les Paul inside and sit on the steps and play along with the abb music playing on the speakers throughout the museum. They were all so gracious to me and my wife and I got to stand beside Gregg's grave at Rose Hill cemetery, that was before they finished it with the bars to keep people out. It was so surreal and was very cold that day. Planning a trip again now that Dickey is gone.

Dickey lives on in his music and our hearts .

Thank you very much. The Allman Brothers music will live forever.

I've been there several times. I've been a fan since 1970. Such a cool place. I was there on the day of Gregg's funeral. We went to Rose Hill Cemetary after hanging at the Big House in the morning for the grave side services & burial. It was so sweet & thoughtful of the family to open the cemetary up and allow the public to attend from the gentle hills overlooking the burial plot and take part in the celebration of his life. Everyone, and I believe it was probably at least a couple of thousand people or more, was so respectful. It was back to the Big House in the evening for a street party. The police blocked off a couple of blocks of Vineville Ave in front of the house, and everyone enjoyed the live music emanating from the stage in the backyard with lots of well known musicians. It was great time. I'll always cherish the memory. They were the greatest band of all time to me.

Thanks Otis- Long live Dickey and The ABB. They're almost all together now...

Thank you Otis --I have parkinsons and this is as close as I will ever get--Thanks again for posting

Beautiful. They say timing is everything, Otis...you're in the groove of life

I was there two Saturdays ago. My grandfather owned a union 76 station and rented U-Haul, right down from the Big House, to them when they first started out. My dad would have to go to Capricorn and collect the money…

----- Otis Tour Dates ------- 04/16/24 -Key West, Florida -The Studios Of Key West 04/17/24. -Key West, Florida -The Studios Of Key West 04/27/24 -Seymour, Indiana -Crossroads Acoustic Festival 05/29/24 -London, England. -Leytonstone Social Club 05/31/24. -Smethwick, England. -The Thimblemill Library 06/01/24. -Broseley, England. -The Birchmeadow 06/02/24. -Nottingham, England -The Chapel at the Angel 06/04/24 -Newport, Wales -Le Pub 06/05/24. -Sheffield, England. -The Greystones 06/07/24 -Newcastle, England. -The Cluny 2 06/09/24. -Glasgow, Scotland. -The Glad Café ------ Details at otisgibbs.com ----------

My Big House Story (or lack there of)… I was born in 1976, started playing guitar around 13 years old. Took a long break. In 2008 my wife was pregnant and we started staying home a lot. So I got serious about learning to play guitar in the early years of RU-vid. Fast forward a year through a mutual friend on Facebook, I met an old rock n roll blues man that lived a couple of towns over. He was my parents age. What caught my eye was a picture of him playing guitar, Half of his rhythm arm was cut off midway up the forearm. I just had to meet him! We met, hit it off and we played music once a week at his place from then on. He was a bass player that had played in bands all the way up until 1976 when his arm was cut off in an accident. He had not played music from 76 until 2009, but he had retired from working and felt the passion to play again. He had the most incredible ear for music of anyone I have ever played with. He taught me so much about music and in return I was giving him the chance to play music with someone again. He had COPD when I met him, but I had no idea how bad or fast it was going to take him from me. One night on a break, we were drinking some shots and what not and He asked me if I would take him to Macon to tour the Big House and the cemetery. I immediately asked him when he wanted to go? We live in North Alabama so it’s an overnight trip and we were excited to take our guitars, get a room, jam and do the tour. One week went by and then another, obligations, holidays and all sorts of things got in the way. We kept planning on taking the trip together and talked about it often. Until one summer hit and I saw a change in his health, he couldn’t breathe as well with the heat and humidity. I thought it would get better. He put an oxygen machine in the detached garage so we kept jamming weekly the whole time and even got one of his old buddies on the drums to join in. Then In 2014 His health got worse and our jamming started being every other week, then once a month and so on. In tears one night, He told me that He just could not take the trip that he had wanted to do all of his life. His energy level was lower than he let on and he was not telling me how bad his breathing was getting. He started going in and out of the hospital and then passed away in November of 2016. I ended up with all of his gear that he had held onto from the 60’s and 70’s. They are the center of my collection. He has been gone almost 10 years, I still want to go to the Big House, but I just can’t do it without him with me! I don’t know if I will ever be able to go. He grew up on The Allman Brothers, knew the bass to every song and they were his favorite band. As much as I want to go, I just can’t go without him. If you know the Hank SR story of TeeTot, Daron was my TeeTot. If only I could play like Him, I’d give anything.

Nice way to see him off! Dickey Betts RIP ❤ Thank you Otis 👏

This is great! RIP Dickey an American Legend of the highest status.

Took a road trip to Macon, well, more like a pilgrimage, lol...with a childhood friend and spent an afternoon at The Big House and then over at Rose Hill. I think every Allmans fan should visit. Take your time, take it in, it's worth it. We were on our way to a reunion in Florida and decided to take a detour to Macon for this. There's Graceland, and there's the Big House, if you're an Allman Brothers Band fan the Big House is your Graceland.

I was living in Perry GA in 2010 and went there for the first time on a Sunday afternoon. I met a guy named EJ who was working there. I spent 2 or 3 hours checking everything out and talking with EJ. He got me a volunteer gig there on weekends. Being a big fan of the Brothers I was excited and it was quite the experience. Met some great people and have some great photos. Unfortunately none of the brothers ever showed up the weekends I was there. But I got to take my time and really see everything and take it all in. It was very surreal and I had a lot of WOW moments. Last time I was there was in 2017. Getting about time to go back again. Thanks for the cool video.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for doing this Otis

God I would love to visit and see it all! I loved dickey Betts he was in my mind the best part of the allman Brothers

My band Smokestack played there last year in June. Got to play Duanes 59 Jr and his Gold top. We are booked again in July of this year and later in August. The museum is amazing and the people running it to a great job. I love your channel Otis! Always look forward to your videos

I have not made it to the big house but plan to one day. I did attend a very infamous Allman Brothers concert in 1993. Dickey got arrested and the last moment they needed a fill-in player for guitar. They hired Zakk Wylde. I didn’t know anything about it. There was no Internet or anything like that. I was on the grass and I thought somethings wrong with Dickie just doesn’t sound right 20 minutes into the show Warren says Zakk is sitting in with us tonight. I met Allen Woody after a Mule show and I talked with him about that show. Rest in Peace Dickey and all the other Brothers.

Great job Otis! I do believe however that Sly & The Family Stone were the first integrated band in America. 1966. Black, White, Men & Women!

Around '65 ('66'?) I was in the 8th grade. Our Mother of Good Counsel School, Griffith Park area of LA. Allman Brothers played a concert in the schools' auditorium, No one knew who they were. That year my band started playing USO shows downtown LA. I was 13 years old. The Allman Brothers were a polished, professional band. They must have been hurting for funds to be playing at a Catholic school, but they played like they were at the Fillmore. And I was inspired. On the dashboard of their white van was a hand-written sign, "Church Gigs Are A drag". Funny. Who knew what was to become of them. By the way, They were playing through SS VOX Super Beatles !

Thanks for doing this stuff, Otis! I’m getting to that point in life where I’ve lost most of the guys I used jam with, most of the people I used to go to the shows with and of course, the musicians that I admired and learned so much from- like Dickey Betts. It’s such a strange phenomenon how you can go through life and have certain artists that have been an integral part of your life-whether it’s through actually playing their music, or their music was the soundtrack for your first date, a great party, your wedding, songs that marked the great times and songs that got you through the worst times. You’ve seen enough videos and interviews and podcasts that at times you feel like you know more about them than some of your friends . So it’s a strange thing when someone like that passes. You may have never actually met the person but a part of them was a big part of your life. So when I heard Dickie had passed, it was a sad moment. We had some great times together. Whether he knew it or not! 😂

This is just so nice. Can’t help but get a little teary eyed at so many memories and so much of what could have been and should have been a better way of life if we had all managed to keep the Brothers and Sisters dream alive.

Thanks for tour Otis, that's now on my bucket list. I saw the original band about a year after the live album came out, then saw them with just Dickey on guitar. I shook Lamar's hand at that show before a roadie knocked me off the stage ( deserved it but i did nail him in the back afterwards with a bud can). You mentioned Gregg's solo tour from '74, now that was nearly as good as the ABB shows. Mini orchestra with a fantastic guitar player all in a 1500 seat venue. The ABB was over for me when they kicked Dickey out but they gave me great joy ( still do) for most of my life. Rest easy: Duane Berry Lamar Butch Gregg Dickey

I was there in the early 90's a few times during a few GABBAFESTS they hold every year celebrating the band and its music. It was still owned by Kirk West the tour Mystic himself. Who quite frankly is the reason we have this museum without him no House and he was a major collector of there stuff a lot of that stuff he donated. We just knocked up an he was graceful enough to show us around. Thanks for the video. For any Allman diehard Macon is the holy grail. Make the pilgrimage down you won't be disappointed.

Thanks Otis. Dynamite stuff. Dickey Betts - Champion and Legend

I appreciate you taking me here, I loved the Allman Brothers band and I didn't know anything about this place existing until 5 minutes ago! Thanks so much Otis and I don't know if there is a better channel for me!!

Awesome. The Allman Brothers is one of my fave bands. The first 5 albums are incredible and today I was listening At Filmore East. What an amazing album. Thanks so much for the tour at band’s house. Cheers from Brazil. R.I.P Dickey.😢

Hey Otis, thanks for doing this. I saw your announcement of his passing and know you just got done with an 11 hour drive. Pretty solid of you to do this for us all to see. Much love to you brother. ✌️❤️

absolute legend !your fan since 70 s and still going !

Thank you Otis! I enjoyed the tour, regardless of how short! I understand the time frame issue. Never have been but would love to. Appreciate the stories.. Much love from north Mississippi ❤️

This museum is nice. Very thorough collection of memorabila.

Smooth humble reliving of those memories.. Much love everyone, from McDermitt Oregon

HA! I saw myself and my brother in the video….what a great day with a bunch of my high school buddies. You’re right,Otis. Any fan of music and great people will need to get to the Big House.

Thank you for the video Great job as always “When it comes to grieving I hope you’ll understand, I was born a Dickey Betts fan!” Lol Rip Dickey Betts

Thank you so much for the fantastic video. I visit the Big House few years ago and this was fantastic. Love and Peace from Germany

Thanks for sharing this Otis.

Local (Juliette) here. Thanks for stopping by Macon, I visited some of the local spots recently. So much music history here. Love the channel- I listen on my way to work in the morning (with my cup of coffee). Hope to be in Nashville soon, for some guitar shopping.

Allman Bros is number one for me.

Much gratitude and respect from Australia…

Dickey filled some VERY large shoes! He doesn't really get the acolades he desreved. I've listened to the Allman Bros since '73 when I was 13. I fell in love with Southbound off Brothers and Sisters. The rest is history but I love EVERY incarnation of this band. Thanks for the Video and this is on my bucket list. RIP Dickey

Thanks for sharing your tour of the Big House Otis! Much appreciated!

For me, it was all about live at Fillmore East, Eat a Peach and Brothers & Sisters and then they just went into decline imo but I’ll never forget being on vacation in Banff Alberta Canada with my buddy and as beautiful as that was, I just couldn’t wait to get back home because brothers and sisters had just been released, and man it did not disappoint ! And Dickie Betts really carried that album without Duane there & Chuck Leavell was a great addition to the band Omg RIP DB 🎸

So sad to hear of his death, I have heard them so many times live.

What a great tour...Thank you.

I worked with Gerald (Buffalo) Evans (the Allman Brothers’ Band road manager back then), at Martha’s Vineyard High School in the late 80s. What a character! He still had his touring briefcase full of backstage passes.

❤wow I need to see this thanks buddy for stopping bye

I have been there. I dated a guy that lived there in the early 80s. It was eerie at night thinking about the history of the house.

What a great video and conversation Otis. It is an immaculately preserved home, and so many great artifacts from their career. I didn't know they had supported Carter's election campaign.

Such a great house and glimpse behind the scenes of the ABB. Thanks Otis!

So neat to see and learn about the big house, thanks Otis!

I live fairly close-by;been to the ABB Museum a few times. Through a lucky connection I was allowed to played Duane's gold-top!

Dickey was one of my all time heroes. So sad to lose him. A true warrior and a huge influence on my guitar playing. I always wanted to thank him. We'll never forget you!

the cemetary is a must see.

I don’t know why it matters, but think it would be appropriate if Dickey were buried on the Ocmulgee River at Rose Hill in Macon! RIP Brothers! ✌🏼

Thanks so much for this 🙏 The road goes on forever

My hubby and I go to Macon a couple of times a week to play pickleball. We drove by the 'Big House' on the way to Subway to get a sandwich after playing before heading home. I have never been inside the house but we visited Gregg Allman's grave a week after he died. My hubby is an big time Allman brothers fan along with Skynard and other southern rock bands. He is a Georgia boy. My high school girlfriend who lives in the Sarasota, Florida area, knew Dickey Betts and was married to Buddy Yockim, a close friend of his, and keeps in close touch with Buddy's daughter Schascle aka: Twinkle.

Thanks Otis. ABB is my favorite band of all time. I've lived in and around Macon my whole life, sadly, I've never been to the museum. Regards, Duck

I was at the Big House a few yrs ago with my buddy Jim Hurst. I couldn’t believe how small the rehearsal room was!!!! Well worth the trip and would definitely go back.

Hey Otis-I was just there in February and what a religious experience!

Thank you Otis. I’ve been there several times and several visits to Rose Hill. I saw ABB 6/16/71 in Birmingham. My first show ever!

Been there several time Otis. Hung out with Willie Perkins there and took pictures in the ‘kitchen’ where the books and records are sold. 🍑🍄😊

we visited last weekend and just a few days later we all heard the bad news that Dickey had passed. Sad day for sure.

I live right up Hwy 41 in Barnesville, but have never visited the Big House. I have, however, paid my respects at the graves. The end of a season of my life has come.

I've been there 3 times and would shed a tear every time. Awesome place. That shower is cool ! I think Dickey had a house about 1 block away which is still there.

Thank you for sharing this. I've been an ABB fan since the mid 1970's. Only saw them live in 1979 on the Enlightened Rogues Tour. Amateur guitarist.... trying to learn some of Dickey and Duane's leads. Great stuff. RIP, Dickey.

Love that place and the cemetery where Duane, Berry and Gregg are buried. Though I live in CA, I had a job with the Air Force that took me to the Macon area a week a month from 2013-2020.

Great video! So glad you’re last couple of videos have talked about Dickie Betts legacy and life His guitar work and songwriting are so underrated it’s a shame!!!

I passed through Macon in early April. I was there on a Monday, so the Big House was closed (open Thursdays through Sundays), but I saw most of the other sites associate with the Brothers. It was a thrill for me to be there; it's something that I've wanted to do for years. Next time I'll make it into The Big House.

Great video! Yes , last week we went there, Capricorn Studios,H&H restaurant, and Rose Hill Cemetery to see their graves! Wonderful day,, and must say, we have to return again to really see more of what we didn't see. So much, also to pickup more music and shirts too!

Visiting the Big House is on my bucket list. After seeing this video it makes me want to go even more. Thanks so much for the tour!

Ty, Otis...!!! ❤❤❤ 😃 😊 😃

Great tour!! Great commentary!! And great seeing my childhood friend, Rex Dooley!!😎

My best friend recently passed. He lived about an hour from where Dickey lived in Florida. His wife just sent me some Big House and Rose Hill photos and the news that some of his ashes were spread in Rose Hill Cemetary near the Brothers.

Rest in Peace Dickey..!!

Thank you for this great tour--I've got to come down to GA w my own brothers and make the tour. Thank you Dickey, and all the passed on Brothers for the great music. Rock on Jaimoe, the first brother Duane hired to be in his band! Wow, great museum!!! Thank you!

This is great. ❤

Thanks for this. Macon is so full of music history. There's a cool little Richard Museum (shame there isn't a bigger one for the real King of R&R). He was from Macon. And the incomparable Otis Reading is from Macon.

Planning to go to see the Big House,thank you for the vid. RIP Dickey Betts

Since your in Ga.go the Ga. Satellite house in Marietta off Canton Rd.

Great video & stories cool museum😢

i read where the photographer was trying to take a candid picture but,the brothers werent in the mood until...duane jumped up and ran to get an eight ball and ran back...the boys busted out laughing and the photo was taken ....

Fabulous tour, 😊😊 thanks!!❤❤❤❤

Thank you for the tour, Otis!