Episode overview
I first met Drew Smithers in 2014 when my late friend Jules Fothergill came to Nashville to meet and jam with Jack Pearson.1 Drew was taking lessons from Jack and was on the precipice of a wild ride up the mountain (and later crashing down) with Bishop Gunn. Drew carries Duane’s influence everywhere he goes.
Our crossroads
Duane, the Allman Brothers, Jack Pearson, guitar, the South, music, fatherhood—Drew and I meet at all of these crossroads. We are fans/students of the music that has shaped our lives professionally and personally.
Our conversation
Duane Allman, the Allman Brothers Band, Jaimoe, and learning from Jack Pearson. This is our deepest connection. Unmentioned here is an amazing validation Drew gave me after he read Play All Night, backstage after a Big Band of Brothers gig with Jaimoe in 2013.2
Marcus King. In early 2020, right before the pandemic, I said to Drew, “Marcus would be great with a guitar partner.” “Marcus needs to hire me,” he said. That’s exactly what happened.
Band dynamics and chemistry. Drew had just left Bishop Gunn when we had that conversation. We didn’t talk in specificity about the band’s implosion, only in the context of what Drew learned from the experience, and how it’s shaped him in Marcus King Band.
Honoring the Allman Brothers legacy. This is an important part of Drew’s vibe as a guitarist and a human. He’s done his homework, he knows the importance of the music he carries with him.
The South and community. This is a part of every conversation I have. One of my goals here is to carry lessons of goodness into the world. Music is one of the South’s greatest gifts, and I love to celebrate that with the keepers of that flame.
🍄🍑MERCH🍑🍄
Lagniappes
Big Band of Brothers “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’” 1/27/23
Drew and Lamar Williams Jr. anchoring ABB mini-reunion featuring Jaimoe and Oteil Burbridge
Marcus King & Drew Smithers “24 Hours at a Time” 12/21/24
This was from one of the coolest4 venues I’ve ever been to, the Caverns in Pelham, TN
🍄Play All Night! Duane Allman & the Journey to Fillmore East🍄
Brought to you by the paid members of the Long Live the ABB community.
🍄MUSHROOM🍄MAGICIANS🍄 Brent W. Hammond, Craig Stevens, Ken Lupson, Laura McCarty, Steve Marshall
🍑 PEACH 🍑 PALS 🍑 Allen Barnes, Art Dobie, Baileys Mike, Bob and Laura, Bob Johnson, Brent Pruner, Bruce Miles, Buddy Lewis, Cabinetsales, Caroline Doolittle, charlie2541, Chuck Zumwalt, Clifford Morse, Cwktwo, Danbookin, David Manes, Dennis Newton, Denny, DJ Brown, Ed Ashton, Ed Pokorny, F. D., Frank Young, Gary Nagle/Chairman Wonwayout, Gary Smith, Gary Williamson, George Holman, Hlnbkt, Irishbeatz, James Reynolds, James Yerrill, Jason Hecht, Jcsarphie, JD Guitar, Jeff Kushmerek, Jeff Schein, Jerry K, JoaquinDinero, Joe Sokohl, Joel Berger, Joel Tanzer, John Delaney, John Dolan, John Haughey, Jordan David, Joseph Lilly, Kenton Lee, Kevin Harper, Kevin Walker, Kurt Nielsen, Mark Leitner, Martha Haynes, Mike Clark, Patrick McKeary, Peter Poulos, Phillip Page, Preston Root, Randy Woodall, Ray Tillman, Robert Porter, Rose Brandt, Scott Green, sswoger, Stanleyglennie8, Steve Teodeki, Surrender Cobra, Taylor Kropp, Tim Langan (Hot ‘Lanta Tim), Tina Christopher, Tom Pragliola, Tony Dobek, Tony Gioia, Wade McCurdy, Wiszowa
An amazing night of music that Drew and I discuss in this episode. Here’s a snippet of what that evening was like. These are the first notes they played together.
The same night this happened. Jaimoe’s validation here for Play All Night remains a highlight of my life.
Here’s the original ad—with Johnny Winter at top of the bill.
Pun intended.
