North Florida Music Hall of Fame

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Martha Ellis was only 12-years old when she died in 1896.  Her parents obviously loved and sorely missed her as they erected this marker at her grave.  Little Martha is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia. The cemetery was laid out in the 1880s with the idea that it would be a resting [...]

Outgrowth of Jacksonville folk-rock trio The Bitter Ind, briefly expanded to a quintet with the addition of Duane and Gregg Allman. Debut album on Vanguard, produced in Miami by Steve Alaimo. Second album, declined by Vanguard, was later issued on Henry Stone’s Bold label as “Duane & Gregg Allman.” Also see Allman Brothers Band; Brown, [...]

Legendary rock-blues-jazz-country sextet formed in Jacksonville in 1969, featured Daytona natives Duane and Gregg Allman, also included members of Jacksonville-based bands The Second Coming (Dickey Betts and Berry Oakley) and The 31st of February (Jacksonville native Butch Trucks). The ABB was the first act signed to Macon-based Capricorn Records; it broke up in late 1970s; [...]

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 [...]

Jacksonville-based folk-rock band with own area TV show in mid-1960s; released one single under the name Tiffany System on SSS Intl., a cover of Dino Valenti’s “Get Together.” Included drummer Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band), guitarist Scott Boyer (Cowboy, Gregg Allman Band), and bassist David Brown. (poster courtesy Southern Garage Bands)

Sarasota rock band that became The Second Coming — one of the most influential bands in North Florida — after moving to Jacksonville in 1969. Also see Second Coming; Allman Bros. Band; Betts, Dickey; Oakley, Berry; Reinhardt, Larry; Wynans, Reese.

Elizabeth Jones Reed Napier was 90-years old when she passed away in 1945.  Despite all she must have accomplished during her long life, she’s famous because of a guitar player who was not quite two years old when she died. The Allman Brothers Band formed in Jacksonville in 1969.  The group included guitarist Dickey Betts, [...]

Psychedelic band formerly known as The Blues Messengers, from Sarasota. Based in Jacksonville’s Riverside district in late 1960s; became one of the most influential bands in North Florida. Led by Bradenton guitarist Dickie Betts; also included bassist Berry Oakley, keyboardist Reese Wynans and guitarist Larry Reinhardt. Became the foundation for the Allman Brothers Band. Also [...]

As part of my instruction in guitar lore, a neighborhood musician named Paul Glass brought me to see a Riverside band called The Second Coming. That august outfit included a virtuoso picker by the name of Dickey Betts. The two of us hitch-hiked all over Northeast Florida — as far as Ravine Gardens in Palatka — to hear Betts at every possible opportunity.

Tom Dowd passed away Sunday, October 27 at an assisted living facility near his Miami home. Tom was 77. Words fail in trying to describe Tom’s influence in the music industry, but an internet search nails it. A search on the Barnes and Noble website turns up 332 available CDs with Tom’s name on them. [...]

Nephew of Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks, slide guitarist since age 9. Started out performing with Jacksonville’s Greg Baril Band. Currently a full-time member of the Allman Brothers Band, plus has his own deal with Columbia. Also works with Butch Trucks’ side project, Frog Wings. Also see Allman Brothers Band; Trucks, Butch; Baril, Greg; [...]