Expert: Eddie Solomonson - 4/19/2002

Question
I am having a heated and on-going discussion with a (non-musician) friend.  He claims to HATE Country Music, but his all-time favorite band is the Allman Brothers.  I say that the Allman Brothers' genre of music (and other southern rock) is at the minimum, a first cousin of country music.  He claims that Allman Brothers' Music has no component of Country Music in any of it, and is not at all related.

Please give us your expert opinion!

Thanks!
Rebecca
Pittsburgh, PA

Answer
Hi Rebecca,
 This is a matter of opinion. The Allman Brothers have roots in country music. Dickey's father ( And uncle,I beleive)  were musicians in country and/or bluegrass. They would play guitar in their house when Dickey was a young boy. One of the first songs Dickey ever learned to play was "Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad." Whether this can be called country music is a matter of perception.
 Another song that can be related to this matter is "Pony Boy." Even "Ramblin' Man" could fit into this.
 Gregg and Duane however, have their roots in blues. Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, etc.
 My opinion, (And it's just an opinion so please don't throw any heavy objects at me :-)) is that country music can be detected in a few tunes. "Seven Turns" is also a good example of an ABB tune with country roots. Dickey wrote it.
 I hope this helps and thanks for using ALLEXPERTS.COM.

          Eddie...ducking out of the way.