Allman Betts Band performance in Macon on New Year’s Eve postponed due to COVID

This wasn’t the story I planned as my last arts and entertainment feature for 2021.

I planned to write about The Allman Family Revival Tour’s New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Macon City Auditorium, a show especially appropriate for Macon this year and one drawing ABB fans from across the country.

The Allman Family Revival Tour features The Allman Betts Band and musical guests celebrating the life and music of The Allman Brothers Band co-founder Gregg Allman. Among The Allman Betts Band’s members are Gregg Allman’s son, Devon Allman, and Duane Betts and Berry Duane Oakley, sons of original Allman Brothers members Dickie Betts and Berry Oakley.

The New Year’s Eve concert was to be especially joyous because it was the first show back on the road after the tour was sidelined in mid-December due to COVID-19.

But now, history repeats itself and the New Year’s Eve show is canceled because of COVID, postponed until Feb. 11.

The Facebook event page for the show announced it late Wednesday:

“This event has been postponed from December 31, 2021 to February 11, 2022. Your original event ticket is valid and no action is required on your part. Should you prefer a refund, you may request one from your original point of purchase until January 29, 2022.”

Devon Allman wrote on his Facebook page:

“Hey y’all, I’m gutted to report that someone in our camp has just tested positive for COVID. We thought we could squeak out the New Year’s Eve show, but to play it safe, the Allman Family Revival show for New Year’s Eve in Macon, Georgia will now be moved to February 11th.”

Cheryl Grant Louder of Grant’s Lounge confirmed an after-concert show at Grant’s featuring a band put together by Berry Duane Oakley is also canceled and New Year’s Eve at the club will feature JB Strauss.

Debra Piner Hairston was going to fly to Georgia to enjoy New Year’s Eve at the concert. She’s been an Allman Brothers fan since her high school days and loves the music of Devon Allman and The Allman Betts Band.

Though she said she’s been to a couple of dozen Allman-related concerts around the country, she’s never been to Macon. The New Year’s weekend was to be a highlight.

“I was excited about first my first trip to Macon,” she said. “My love for the Allman Brothers and their music goes way back and then I got to meet Devon on a southern rock cruise when the Devon Allman Band played, taking Dickie Betts’ place after he got hurt. Devon and the band have always struck me as such humble, talented people.”

Through the Allman-related shows she’s been to, Hairston had made friends in Macon who were going to show her around.

“We were going to the concert, eat at the H&H restaurant, visit The Big House Museum, visit Rose Hill Cemetery and do all the Allman Brothers things we could fit in,” she said.

But then, while packing Wednesday night to fly to Georgia Thursday morning, the news came.

There’s disappointment locally, but locally you don’t face the level of challenges those traveling to the show face. Many expressed dismay online. Hairston immediately got to work canceling reservations. She said the Macon hotel she was booked in had heard the news and was very accommodating. The airline she was flying on from her home in New Orleans to Georgia — not so much.

Because of other commitments, she won’t be able to make the rescheduled Feb. 11 concert.

Originally, this story was to be about fans like Hairston and their love for Macon’s musical past, present and future. It was to show Macon’s musical heritage and potential future isn’t just great entertainment but valuable economically drawing folks from far and wide to stay, eat and enjoy.

All that’s still true.

But while not wanting to be negative or take sides on how to deal with COVID, the story has become a COVID story. Chose whatever descriptor you want, I’ll just go with this became another “COVID stinks” story.

Despite a smattering of disgruntled, negative comments online, most were supportive and understanding of the band and tour. Even with disappointment and losing money, fans wanted the best for all involved, including each other, and encouraged all to be safe.

“The Allman Brothers and Allman Betts Band have given me so much through their music, I can’t hold this against them,” she said. “The music is great, the words so heartfelt and the concerts so much fun. The original band member’s kids are so talented, too. I like that they’re doing their own, awesome stuff and not just mimicking what their dads did. But I’m glad they throw in their dad’s music here and there out of love for it.”

Hairston and I spoke by phone and exchanged messages throughout the week and she said she understands how devastating COVID is. She works in the medical field and said her hospital has 75 workers out right now with the virus.

“I took off work, had to cancel two nights in the hotel and then there’s the issue with the airline, but even with my inconveniences, I can’t imagine the headaches the band and their managers are having to deal with,” she said. “I know how bummed they must be and that Devon so wanted to celebrate his dad in Macon. It’s just a tough situation. I hope they’re all OK.”

This story was going to be about how great the recent break from COVID was and how good it was that fans, musicians and performers could be back at it – and many still are. Not every performance situation is down by COVID.

But it took that nasty turn right here at the end of 2021. I make no predictions and don’t say come or go to shows. I do say bear with one another. OK?

And remember, there are still things to do for New Year’s Eve. A smattering of the variety includes:

• For kids, there’s The Society Garden’s Kids New Year’s Eve Party 5-8 p.m. with live DJ, party favors, hot chocolate, small Icees for kids, NYE hat/tiara, snow machines, balloons and more. $5. 2389 Ingleside Ave. www.thesocietygarden.com
• For a traditional countdown and ball-drop, the Perry Buzzard Drop is 7 a.m.-midnight with restaurants and bars open, such as Bodega Brew featuring New Year’s Eve drink and food specials including pot licker soup and cornbread. Downtown Perry, www.facebook.com/cityofperryga
• For those who want an evening out but not until midnight, Bruce Brookshire and Tony “Coop” Cooper are doing acoustic rock oldies at El Cotija restaurant in Warner Robins from 7-10 p.m. 109 Margie Dr., Warner Robins. www.elcotija.com
• If you’d like to head-bang your way into 2022 with AC/DC and other harder rocking tunes, take in 2 Finger Jester live at Billy’s Clubhouse. 1580 Forest Hill Rd. www.facebook.com/2FingerJester, www.billysclubhouse.com
• And don’t forget, it’s the last few days before the Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza ends its 2021 run Jan. 2. Shows begin at 6 p.m. and go through 10 p.m. along Poplar Street.
• Looking ahead, if you want to grab some next-generation Allman family music, hear Shaun Berry Oakley’s The Maconites at Grant’s Lounge Thursday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.