On May 11, 1969, a young Allman Brothers Band played one of its first shows on the

steps of Atlantas Piedmont Park. The gig, which took place only two months after the Allman Brothers began jamming together, helped the emerging stars earn a local following in Atlanta, which quickly spread throughout the south east and, eventually, the entire country. On Saturday, September 8, the group returned to the fabled spot for a benefit concert with Dave Matthews Band to raise money for the park’s planned expansion. The gig drew an estimated 50,000 fans and featured material written throughout the groups career, including Trouble No More, Ain’t Wastin’ Time, a fitting Hot Lanta, Black Hearted Woman, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and Whipping Post. During Dave Matthews Bands closing set Gregg Allman also took the stage to help the group through a first time cover of his classic Melissa, while frequent DMB guest Warren Haynes played guitar on What Would You Say.
The gig was part of a busy run through the south by Dave Matthews Band. On Thursday the group participated in a special concert for the students of Blacksburg, VAs

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University that also featured Phil Vassar,
Nas and John Mayer. During Mayers set DMB saxophonist LeRoi Moore took the stage for a sit-in, appearing on Mayers Gravity. Later in the evening Mayer returned the favor, joining the DMB onstage for the first time on #41. Mayers current guitarist, David Ryan Harris, a longtime friend of the Dave Matthews Band who first jammed with the group back in 1995, played on Jimi Thing and an impromptu cover of Bob Marleys Three Little Birds. The Roots Horns section also enhanced the ensemble sporadically throughout its performance.
Finally, on Friday night, Matthews made a particularly surprising appearance with country star Kenny Chesney at Atlantas HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. The singer/songwriter performed an acoustic version of his ‘Where Are You Going?’ and shared a duet with Chesney on a cover Steve Miller Band’s ‘The Joker.’ Dave Matthews Band will perform at Gainesville, FLs Stephen C. O’Connell Center tomorrow.