Tribute to Macon music legend helps feed the needy

Duane Allman’s legacy lives on in Macon in ways that go beyond music.

For the past 10 years, fans have gathered near the late musician’s birthday to honor his music and collect food for the less fortunate.

The Skydog 70 festival kicks off at Luther Williams Field on Sunday — the day that would have been Allman’s 70th birthday. Last year, the event collected five tons of food for the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia.

“Because of what happens at Skydog and the wonderful things our people do in bringing their dry goods and canned goods ... (the Rescue Mission) fills their coffers full for the year and then looks around to find other needy organizations that they want to strengthen as well,” said Skydog coordinator Glenn Harrell.

Ten or more canned food donations are the price of admission and festival-goers will get treated to a lineup of local and national talent.

Chris Hicks, who plays guitar for the Marshall Tucker Band, will be playing some unaccompanied songs as well as pieces with other musicians.

“He has been touring every year and has never been able to play this event,” Harrell said. “We finally got Chris to come and be a part of this event so we’re real proud to have him.”

The lineup also includes Alabama Music Hall of Famer Paul Hornsby, who lives in Macon and played with Duane and Gregg Allman in Florida before they formed the Allman Brothers.

“He plays every year. He’s a wonderful connection,” Harrell said.

Lamar Williams Jr., the son of former Allman Brothers bass player Lamar Williams Sr., also is playing. In addition, there will be music from a group of young musicians who come together to play the festival and are collectively referred to as the Young Brothers.

“They will be opening up the afternoon,” Harrell said. “They have honed their craft playing the music that Duane played and the music that Duane inspired.”

Harrell said many of the musicians turned down compensation to be a part of Skydog 70.

“Most of the musicians are giving back of their time and their talent and they’ll bring their canned goods to boot,” he said.

The festival also includes presentation of the Skydog Award — given to those who embody the spirit of Duane Allman. It is going to Robert Lee Coleman, Bill Lucado and in memory of Mark Foley, Harrell said.

Allman was nicknamed Skydog for his style of music and looks, and the festival started as a tribute to the musician, who died Oct. 29, 1971, from a motorcycle accident.

Harrell said he first pulled the event together as Allman’s 60th birthday approached and he didn’t see any kind of event or recognition being planned.

“We were just some ragtag guys who happened to love the music and love the contributions that Duane made to music and to our area,” he said. “Actually it was Duane and Berry (Oakley) — we were always thinking of Berry, too.”

Those familiar with the Allman Brothers story know that Mama Louise at H&H Restaurant played a big role in keeping the musicians from starving. It was this history that drove Harrell to talk the idea over with Mama Louise and link the festival to food care.

“And so she agreed that were Duane and Berry alive, they would be very much attune with the whole idea of caring for the needy and the poor and making sure they had something to eat,” Harrell said. “The Allman Brothers would not be here, most likely ... if they hadn’t discovered the H&H cafeteria and Mama Louise. It’s pretty well known that she was a very special person to them for that reason and still is to this day.”

This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Tribute to Macon music legend helps feed the needy."