Dickey Betts has officially commented on his decision not to attend the Grammy Awards earlier this month. The guitarist originally announced that he would accept his Lifetime Achievement Grammy with the members of The Allman Brothers Band but never showed up to receive his honor. In a statement posted on his official homepage via his manager, Betts confirmed the following:

….in the end, Dickey decided to stay home

The Allman Brothers Band was honored by the Grammys with a lifetime achievement award. Alongside fellow legends Diana Ross and Glen Campbell (among others), the ABB, including original members Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, with Duane Allman’s daughter Galliandra, Barry Oakley Jr., keyboardist Chuck Leavell, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and other current members took the stage to accept their awards. At the last minute, Dickey called me and asked if I would represent and accept his award. Long thought and many conversations brought him to this decision. He called me just prior to emphasize the fact that he wanted no excuses made about it. He wasn’t sick, he didn’t miss a plane, he simply decided not to attend. He wanted me to, first and foremost, thank his fans for staying him through all the ups and downs. He asked me to thank Bill Graham for believing in the Brothers. He said to thank Phil Walden for getting them started and producers Tom Dowd and Johnny Sandlin for keeping them going. It was a great evening. He was certainly missed. A couple of the Brothers even called Dickey to share the moment. He really appreciated the honor, he really cherishes the memories, but in the end, Dickey decided to stay home.

David Spero.
Dickey’s manager