Play All Night Wall of Fame

Reflecting on 3 years since the release of my magnum opus.

October 18, 2022, Play All Night! Duane Allman & the Journey to Fillmore East hit the market. I kicked it off with a book event at the Winter Park (Fla.) Public Library. I got to sit in with Daniel and Chuck from Steelin’ Peaches, leading to a gig as their Psychedelic Sherpa.

This photo from that night means more to me than I can ever express: me with 3 of my museum/leadership mentors from my early career in Orlando: Ted Saunders (with his wife Michele), Sara Van Arsdel, and Dave Smith.

Play All Night!

I set out to write a book that reflected my unique take on the Allman Brothers Band.

I’m a fanboy, sure, but I’m also a Ph.D. historian with a long career in museums and historic sites and I had a bit of a reputation to uphold.

I knew my fellow hardcores would love the book. But I wanted them to love it because it said something different. As the only Allman Brothers Book to rely solely on outside sources, Play All Night introduced new stories, quotes, and contexts.

I packed the book with the kind of detail I love, the kind that has led me to return to countless books over the years.¹

I’m proud of the book, and proud of the network of tens of thousands of followers I’ve garnered across platforms, including nearly 5,000 of you here on Substack.

I’ve gotten a chance to meet/speak to all kinds of groovy folks because of the book. Some directly related to the story, others more tangentially.

But as I write in every bookplate I send:

“To ____: Who is a part of this story.”

Such is the nature of the fan/band bond, particularly in Shroom Nation. The audience is a vital a part of the Allman Brothers’ ethos and their success.

That was my core argument in Play All Night.

Play All Night Wall of Fame

Jaimoe & Lamar Williams Jr.

Here’s Jaimoe shortly after calling me “An observant motherfucker”—the highest compliment you can get from a jazzman. I don’t have that on video, but I do have him giving praise to Play All Night. And here’s Lamar SLAYING “Trouble No More” with Slash from Guns ‘n’ Roses.

Play All Night at #1

Who’s gonna celebrate if you don’t?

Warren Haynes

I told Warren that his spirit is all over Play All Night.

“I’m most proud that we’ve been able to carry the mantle of a great tradition. It was based on trying to tap into the vision and proud tradition of the original band.”²

Oteil Burbridge

“Regardless of musical background, these pulses and grooves are something we have in common and if we’re listening we can make music together naturally.”³

David Goldflies

I also got a chance to interview David, ABBassist from 1979-82.

Marcus King Band

These cats are all big Allman Brothers fans, and ABBsolutely OWN “Ramblin’ Man.”

Yours truly with my daughter Ryan, Marcus King, and Drew Smithers

Notice the graffiti on the bus.

Sleeveless Mike Runyon with Drew Smithers & my daughter Tyler.

Charlie Hayward

Bass player for Charlie Daniels Band for decades, Charlie was also all over Gregg’s Laid Back.

Gabe Dixon

The Tedeschi Trucks Band keyboardist was just a phenomenal addition to an already great band. He was a major player in I Am the Moon, their epic 4-disc release in summer 2022. BONUS: TTB 10/15/25 “Stand Back” with Reese Wynans.⁴

Jimmy Chamberlin

Jimmy with me and Candy

Jimmy is one of the most important musicians of my life. He and I have had several conversations about the Allman Brothers’ influence on the early sound of the Smashing Pumpkins.

Dustin McCook

Took this shot with Dustin a couple years before he got his current gig with Eddie 9V. Phenomenal picker who can sing the shit out of some Gregg songs. He’s also part of the Macon Music Revue (see below).

Greg Martin

The Kentucky Headhunters’ Greg Martin and I had BIG FUN on his radio show.

Charles Davis

Charles is lead singer of the OUTSTANDING Macon Music Review.⁵ Their sets are a veritable history lesson in Macon music, such as this gem, “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out,” a track Bessie Smith first made famous, one Duane recorded with the 31st of February and Derek & the Dominos.

Ron Currens (RIP)

Ron was one of the founders of Hittin’ the Note magazine. He passed away in 2025.

Moment of personal privilege

My folks didn’t live to see this, but I made sure to include them in my publication celebration when I visited Stuart.

Thanks for being here y’all.

1. Scott Freeman’s Midnight Riders is so well-worn, I had to tape it back together.

2. Play All Night, 203.

3. Play All Night, 197.

4. The original keyboard player at the ABB’s Jacksonville Jam.

5. I don’t have photos with bassist Evan Bentzel nor keys man Ethan Hamlin. Need to rectify that.