Concert Preview: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
BOB WEIR & RATDOG
CONSTELLATION BRANDS MARVIN SANDS PAC
Friday, August 22^nd 2008

    REVIVAL…..The stars won’t be the only thing shining in the sky this Friday in Canandaigua as the “Soulshine” of the legendary ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND returns to the road.  Although the Darien Lake PAC didn’t make the schedule, fans from Buffalo need not fret as the tour is just a short jaunt down the Thruway to the breathtaking Finger Lakes Wine Country at the spectacular Constellation Brands Marvin Sands PAC;  tickets are still available at www.cmacevents.com.
    The band is back following a brief hiatus while GREGG ALLMAN spent the first half of 2008 convalescing. The Rock Rapport has been assured that the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND is ready to Rock & Roll heading into next year’s 40^th anniversary.
    We had the privilege of catching up with one of music’s most assiduous axman on the planet WARREN HAYNES on a rare off day.  Seems hard to believe but HAYNES has been a member of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND for nearly half of their four decades.
    HAYNES sundry guitar skills have afforded him the ability to effortlessly seam himself into the fabric of the close knit ALLMAN BROTHERHOOD.  It’s his soulful style that has enabled him to become a crucial component contributing to the immortal ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND body of work since his first studio recording with the band on 1990’s “Seven Turns”.
    Ross CAT-Thanks so much for your valuable time, I know fans are looking forward to seeing you again with the ALLMAN BROTHERS.  Some Western New York fans may develop a case of “Deja Voodoo” as GOV’T MULE put on a blistering performance a few weeks back with a “Mighty High” tour stop at Artpark.
    HAYNES-Yeah, that show was a lot of fun we really appreciate the strong support that GOV’T MULE has always received in Upstate New York.
    Ross CAT-The annual ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND summer shed tour finally got underway last week appropriately enough in Bethel, NY.  Was starting off in these parts a conscious decision considering the famous Beacon Theatre Run in New York City had to be postponed in May?
    HAYNES- We thought it was a good place to start, obviously having to delay the Beacon Run shows was very disappointing but there was never any question that GREGG’S health was the most important thing to everyone in the band.
    It really was never even an issue for the rest of us, GREGG would only go out on the road if he could perform at the level that he and the fans are accustomed to.
    Ross CAT- As most fans know by now the revered Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and co-founding member of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND has been receiving successful treatment for Hepatitis C since early in the year; how is he feeling?
    HAYNES- Yeah GREGG is really doing great, he’s well rested and ready to go.
    Ross CAT-Next year will mark your 20^th anniversary with the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND.
    From the very beginning it was apparent that you didn’t just join this iconic band for the ride, you’ve made significant contributions on so many levels helping keep the sacred ALLMAN BROTHERS legacy alive and very well.
    I’ve had the honor of speaking to most of the members of the band over the past few years and posed this question; “What has being part of this celebrated Brotherhood that the ALLMAN’S have created over the past four decades meant to you”?
    HAYNES-Honestly the ALLMAN BROTHERS were one of my favorite bands growing up; looking back if I where to join a band from that era I can’t think of another group that I would have rather been a part of then the ALLMAN BROTHERS.
    The music is a combination of so many different genres, at the same time they’ve managed to create a unique style and sound of their own.  It’s a real honor and privilege to be part of that trusted tradition.
    Ross CAT- Let’s touch on the electrifying chemistry you share with guitar virtuoso DEREK TRUCKS.  As a tandem you’ve conquered the daunting task of playing together within a foundation that was built by the original guitar hero’s DUANE ALLMAN and DICKIE BETTS.
    How have DEREK and you approached building your own tradition without compromising the ALLMAN BROTHER legacy?
    HAYNES-We both have a lot of respect for the music that’s been created by the band before we joined.  We realize how important the guitar relationship is to the music; we’ve had to find a balance between breaking new ground within the band while maintaining the rich tradition and history that the group has established.
    I think our styles are different enough that we share a contrast that complements one another enough to make it compatible.
    Ross CAT-With GREGG ALLMAN taking time to mend the first half of the year is their any new material on the horizon for the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND?
    HAYNES-Yeah we’ve written a few new songs that were really proud of, I’m really excited about that.  I know all of us would love to record another album; I’m not quite sure how that will work itself out time wise as far as getting into the studio; fans may hear one or two of them out on the road sometime soon.
    Ross CAT- Opening the shows for the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND on this summer tour will be BOB WEIR & RATDOG; you’ve shared a longstanding relationship with members of THE GRATEFUL DEAD; what was it like to be part of the “Wave That Flag Tour” in 2004 playing with the surviving DEAD members.
    HAYNES-That was a really fulfilling experience for me to play with those guys to honor JERRY GARCIA; anyone who knows me knows I don’t just play music I’m as big a fan of music as anyone else.
    Ross CAT- Any chance well see BOBBY & RATDOG  join in for a jam session with the ALLMAN BROTHERS during the tour?
    HAYNES-We’re just getting started with the tour, I’m pretty sure as we go along and get tuned in you’ll see BOBBY and the guys from RATDOG sit in and jam with us.
    Ross CAT-You’ve mastered the electric and acoustic guitar which do you prefer to compose your music from?
    HAYNES-It’s funny you should ask that, it seems most artists I’ve worked with write the music first and the lyrics after, I tend to do the opposite.  Most of my songs started with the lyrics, but I always keep an acoustic guitar close by.
    That’s not to say that some of the more Rock oriented songs didn’t start with an electric riff. It’s only been recently that I’ve kind of changed things around a bit just to try something different.
    Ross CAT- I just read a disturbing statistic today that 1 out every 464 Americans is losing their homes to foreclosure. That really has to be a troublesome trend for you considering over the past twenty years you’ve dedicated your time and talent to the Habitat for Humanity (www.ashevillehabitat.org) with the annual Christmas Jam.
    What insight can you give us on this particular foundation?
    HAYNES-That is really unsettling, something has to be done to remedy this situation.  Habitat is a great organization and I’m extremely proud to be involved with them.
     Initially it started out as a local event in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina with some local musicians; it really has grown into something special to share with friends.
    We’ve recorded the X-mas Jam since 1999 and filmed it over the last seven years as well.  Eventually all those shows will be available on CD/DVD with all those proceeds going to Habitat as well.
    The first DVD which is available in stores now is from the 2006 Jam and features DAVE MATTHEWS, JOHN POPPER, GOV’T MULE and TAJ MAHAL.
    It really is inspiring music; one of the most unique things about the X-mas Jam is the beautiful relationships that are developed.  Many times these artists have never met prior to taking the stage; there are some wonderfully spontaneous musical moments being created that you’ll never witness again.
    Ross CAT-Lastly, ROLLING STONE Magazine has voted all four guitarists (DUANE ALLMAN, DICKIE BETTS, WARREN HAYNES, DEREK TRUCKS) affiliated with the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND in the Top 100 all time greats.
    That is truly an amazing accomplishment, what is it about the ALLMAN BROTHERS and the amazing body of work that has empowered  each player to garner such high praise?
    HAYNES-The music is the perfect platform or maybe I should say playground for a guitar player to experiment.  The songs are designed by guitar players for guitar players specifically centered around two-guitar improvisation.
    If you look at just the recording of Live at Fillmore East that recording alone was groundbreaking for guitarists everywhere.  It established a precedent for the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND proving that music could be progressive and daring yet still reach a wide audience.
    Rock Rapport would like to Thank WARREN HAYNES for sharing some of his valuable time with us.  We’d also like to Thank Zach Diaz of Hard Head Management along with Bari Leiberman with the Mtich Schneider Organization for hooking us up with WARREN.
    Catch him if you can, the best way to try and keep up with WARREN HAYNES is at www.mule.net, www.warrenhaynes.net or at www.allmanbrothersband.com.

***********PEACE & HARMONIES**************