North Florida Music Hall of Fame

Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts – Vocalist-guitarist and founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. Born in West Palm, raised in Bradenton, where he formed The Jokers with guitarist Joe Dan Petty (later of Grinderswitch); he later formed The Blues Messengers in Sarasota with bassist Berry Oakley (see Oakley, Berry), drummer John Meeks, guitarist Larry Reinhardt (see Reinhardt, Larry) and keyboardist Reese Wynans (see Wynans, Reese). The Blues Messengers relocated to Jacksonville in 1968, changing their name to The Second Coming. After adding Duane and Gregg Allman, the Second Coming became known as The Allman Brothers Band. A pioneer in the country-rock fusion of the 1970s, Betts wrote and sang the ABB’s  biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man.”  Betts has led several bands of his own, including The Dickey Betts Band (on Epic), Great Southern (Arista), and BHLT (which included Betts, Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie, Chuck Leavell of Sea Level and Butch Trucks of the ABB). In 2000, Betts again left the ABB and is performing as Dickey Betts and Great Southern. Also see Allman Brothers Band; Second Coming.