Great Southern……carrying on the musical legacy of Dickey Betts & The Allman Brothers Band.
 
Formed by Dickey Betts, an original founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, Great Southern was created while the ABB was on hiatus in the late 1970’s. During that time Dickey pursued a solo career with Great Southern and The Dickey Betts Band. Having written some of the most iconic Southern Rock songs which include Ramblin’ Man, Blue Sky, Jessica, In Memory of & Elizabeth Reed, Dickey Betts is considered not only the #58 most influential guitarists by Rolling Stone Magazine, he’s also, one of Southern Rock’s most important songwriters, having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and won a Grammy Award for “Jessica” in 1996.
 
The band as it is today was originally formed back in 2000. The band has rehearsed, recorded and toured together for nearly 17 years. In 2018 & 2019 the band got back together to do some special reunion shows and the response was overwhelming, selling out venues in and around New York City almost immediately. The band’s magical chemistry was undeniable. Now in 2023 Great Southern is officially reuniting with Dickey’s blessing to carry on the iconic musical legacy of Dickey Betts & his music with The Allman Brothers Band. This band is the real deal, it’s not a tribute band, each musician was hand picked by Dickey. The band has an immense catalog of music which includes both the iconic Allman Brother Band as well as DBB & Great Southern libraries.
 
Lee Roy Parnell is a legendary Texas Music artist who has a long running relationship with the Allman Brothers Band having played numerous times with The Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman Band, The Dickey Betts Band & Great Southern as well as Warren Haynes. A chart-topping singer/songwriter, who is known for lending his slide guitar to countless records by fellow artist such as Delbert McClinton, Tricia Yearwood, Blackberry Smoke to name a few as well as ferocious guitarist whose music was greatly influenced by Gregg Dickey and Duane, Lee Roy’s guitar style, slide work on a Les Paul and vocals are a perfect fit for the band.
Mark May is a devastating blues rock guitarist singer songwriter from Texas who was introduced to Dickey Betts by mutual friends. Dickey personally requested that Mark audition for the ABB when Warren Haynes had left where he was first runner up for the gig. Several years later, Dickey called on Mark to play with a new band he was forming, The Dickey Betts Band which later became Great Southern. Mark’s searing guitar style, covering blues to rock to jazz fusion was a natural choice for the ABB and for Dickey’s band. His soulful, bluesy vocals are very reminiscent of Gregg and Warren.
 
David Stoltz who had been playing bass with Jaimoe for years was musically introduced to Dickey Betts via a recording while in a limo on his way to an ABB Beacon Theater show. This led to Dickey personally requesting that Dave audition for the ABB when Allen Woody left and was the first runner up for the gig. Several years later, Dickey called on Dave to play with a new band he was forming, The Dickey Betts Band which later became Great Southern.