_Chris Marden_

Last night, former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts officially opened up his comeback tour in the Allmans’ old stomping grounds of Macon, GA, with a solo-band show at the Macon City Auditorium. The show followed up Wednesday’s “live rehearsal” show in Betts’ hometown of Sarasota, FL. Last night also featured a sit in from Jaimoe, Betts’ former bandmate and one of ABB’s founding drummers, marking the first time the two had shared the stage since 2000.

Jaimoe came onstage to help out on the Allman Brothers classic “Whipping Post” last night in Macon, along with his Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band saxophonist Kris Jensen, who also played on “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Delaney & Bonnie’s Bonnie Bramlett—who toured with ABB in the late ’70—and her daughter Bekka also sat in for a few tunes. Betts’ band lineup features his son Duane on guitar, as well as Damon Fowler—a former member of ABB drummer Butch Trucks’ Freight Train Band—keyboardist Mike Kach, bassist Pedro Arevalo and dual drummers Frankie Lombardi and Steve Camilleri. (Duane, Lombardi, Kach and Arevalo were all members of Dickey’s Great Southern band before his 2014 retirement.)

Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band played an after-party following the show and also welcomed several guests, including former ABB guitarist Jack Pearson on ABB’s “Blue Sky” and Junior Mack’s “Dilemma.” Former Gregg Allman Band keyboardist Peter Levin sat in on “Blue Sky,” along with Lamar Williams Jr. (son of the former ABB bassist), who also joined in on “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More,” while Heather Gillis, former vocalist for Trucks’ Freight Train, helped out on “Stormy Monday.”

Next up on Betts’ 2018 schedule is a July 15 appearance at Long Island’s Great South Bay Music Festival.