The Allman Brothers Band Open Up The Big House

Tonight’s show, which sold out in just a few minutes, marks The Allman Brothers Band’s first concert in Macon since 1991.

“I can’t wait,” Gregg Allman told The Macon Telegraph. “We should have played [in Macon] three nights straight. … I’m just glad to be there. I’m looking forward to it big-time.” Allman is opening the museum along with fellow founding members Butch Trucks and Jaimoe.

Back in the ‘70s, The Allman Brothers called Macon home, specifically a Grand Tudor-style mansion that was dubbed the “Big House.” The late Duane Allman and Berry Oakley lived at the home and the rest of the band used it as its unofficial headquarters.

The house at 2321 Vineville Avenue in Macon has now been turned into a museum featuring posters, photos, memorabilia and an archive of audio recordings and film footage. According to the museum’s website, The Big House includes “three stories, 6,000-square-feet, 18 rooms, a spacious kitchen, glorious bay windows and an inviting front porch.” It even inspired Gregg Allman to write the tune “Please Call Home,” which is featured on the band’s second album, 1970’s Idlewild South.

“I thought it was out of sight,” Allman told The Macon Telegraph about his February visit to the museum. “It’s just gorgeous. I was amazed that there was so much memorabilia made about the Allman Brothers. There was so much of that stuff, and I don’t have any of it!”

Tonight’s show is the center of Peachy Pursuits, a three-day event celebrating the Allman Brothers and the official opening of the museum. 

Peachy Pursuits began last night with a screening of Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” on the lawn of the Big House. According to imdb.com, the film’s fictional rock band Stillwater was based in part on The Allman Brothers Band. The screening also included a Q&A with the Legendary Red Dog, one of the band’s famous roadies who earned his own character in the film.

The Big House ribbon cutting ceremony took place this afternoon at 2 p.m. Tonight’s Macon City Auditorium show will be followed by an after show party at Grant’s Lounge in Macon featuring the Lefty Collins Band, Paul Hornsby, Chris Hicks, Tommy Talton and Caroline Aiken.

On Saturday the fun will continue with a Family Jam Session at the Big House Gazebo. The free event is being presented by the Georgia Allman Brothers Band Association (GABBA) with beverages and Mellow Mushroom pizzas available for purchase. Peachy Pursuits wraps up Saturday evening with a show at Macon’s Cox Capitol Theatre featuring Jack Pearson Band & Friends with special guest Lingo.

Fans can catch The Allman Brothers Band at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this Sunday and at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Bridgeview, Ill., June 26.
 
Click here for The Big House Museum’s website.

Click here for The Allman Brothers Band’s official website.

Click here for the story from The Macon Telegraph.