GABBAFest 2013 A Big Hit With The Fans

Ron Holland
The Georgia Music Channel
http://www.georgiamusicchannel.com
VIEW PHOTOS
UPDATE:
Macon,GA October 12, 2013 (GMC) The Georgia Allman Brothers Band Association -
GABBAFest 2013 is upon Macon, GA and the Allman Brothers Band fans are buzzing
the city. After all, the mission of GABBA and this event is to promote and perpetually
preserve the history of the ABB's musical heritage. Not only ABB fans attend though,
music fans in general that love southern rock music and rock music lovers come to cel-
ebrate that heritage with a variety of outstanding southern rock, rock and blues bands,
to listen to jam sessions at The Big House by many notable and legendary musicians,
where you'd rarely get an opportunity to see that happen, attend an auction to get ABB
rare memorabilia and other great items (all for a good cause), and to tour sites sur-
rounding the music heritage of Macon.
Saturday afternoon members from a variety of bands took the stage at The Big House to
jam. We were fortunate to have met up with Les Dudek, Bo Ponder, Barry Richman,
Lefty Collins, Michael Galloway, Bill Pound, Greg Brooks, Chance Royal, Dave Pierson,
John Howard - just to name a few from various bands that took the stage. As we talked
all reflected on the days of when The Allman Brothers lived in Macon and the musical
heritage during that era.
From landscaper and Allman Brothers fan to president of GABBA, director and founder of
The Big House Museum, Greg Potter told Ron Holland with The Georgia Music Channel,
"We're just a big happy family of Allman Brothers Band fans and I'm so glad to be a part of it.
GABBA finally turned legal, we're now 21 years old." Greg described how humble he is by the
support from all the fans for the annual GABBAFest and the rich heritage that the organiza-
tion has set out to preserve of the The Allman Brothers Band's musical heritage. We met a
couple from Finland that has attended GABBAFest since 1999. They told me how exciting it
is to come every year to hear the music, meet up with friends and talk with the music
artists.
The shows last Friday night with The Peacheaters, The Lefty Collins Band and The Barry
Richman Band at the 567 Center were absolutely great shows and Saturday night was
no exception.
Alan Walden, legendary producer, publisher, songwriter, artists manager and who
launched Capricorn Records with his brother Phil Walden and Frank Fenter gave
the introduction to Saturday's night's show. You can find out more about Alan and the
significant accomplishments and contributions he has made, not only to Georgia music,
but music worldwide on our "Georgia Music Artists" Songwriters and Producers page here.
When Alan introduced Boogie Chillun' to the stage the crowd roared. Laraine Potter,
secretary for the Georgia Allman Brothers Association - GABBA told us, When
"Boogie Chillun' gets on stage, it's going to be fantastic to see and hear them." The group
had not performed since 1970, but when Bill Pound, Asa Howard and the guys took the stage
you would have never known it had been that long since they had played together. They
sounded incredible and got the crowd going with great performances of their original music
and cover songs such as "One Way Out" by The Allman Brothers Band and "New
Orleans Lady" by Le Roux. The soulful, blues sound from their total performance wooed
the crowd who was glad to see them back on stage.
Before headliner Les Dudek took the stage an auction was held for special and unique
Allman Brothers Band memorabilia. The Allman Brothers Band tour jacket was just one of the
many items that ABB fans bidded on.
Then, Les Dudek took the stage with his band and wasted no time to absolutely show the
talent that the fans know him so well for. His performance was the essence of southern
rock music, with his original songs from his album "Delta Breeze" and other albums. What
he can do to make a guitar talk is beyond amazing. The crowd went crazy over his perform-
mance.
Les Dudek moved to Macon, GA in the early 1970's, after the untimely death of Duane
Allman, and played guitar for The Allman Brothers album "Brothers and Sisters",
recorded at Capricorn Records, playing harmony with Dickey Betts on the hits "Ramblin'
Man" and the intro acoustic guitar on "Jessica". He's been the guitarist for Boz
Scaggs, The Steve Miller Band and was asked to play with Journey but landed a Columbia
Record deal as a solo artist.
He's collaborated with Cher, Stevie Nicks and other artists. His latest album is "Delta
Breeze". He'll be headlining at the 567 Center Saturday night. Find out more about Les
here.
GABBA has been around since 1992 and GABBA has done a great job each year having
excellent bands and music at the GABBAFest. Additionally, they have given back to the
community funding and deeds that embrace preserving the musical heritage of the ABB
while improving the community and peoples lives. Click here and read a few of their
accomplishments since they organized It's great to know that money spent by the fans,
donors and sponsors and for the memberships to GABBA have done so much for a
community and to preserve the history of these great Georgia music artists.