It’s been a crazy year for the Allman Brothers Band, with the passings of Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman. The southern rock band is survived by two original members, drummer Jaimoe and guitarist/singer/songwriter Dickey Betts, who played his last show with the band in May of 2000. A tumultuous history with his bandmates led to the disintegration of his career, as the rest of the Allman Brothers Band continued until October of 2014. While there was talk of Dickey’s reunion with the band for their final concert, it never came to be.

Retired for the last three years, and only playing small bars for the last decade of his career, the “Jessica”, “Ramblin’ Man”, “Blue Sky”, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” songwriter will make a decision about returning to the road on December 12, his 74th birthday, according to David Spero, his longtime manager. “Dickey and I have had many discussions over the last few years about him playing again,” he explained in a statement to Sarasota County’s Herald-Tribune. “After Gregg Allman’s passing, his interests were heading elsewhere. Since the Rolling Stone interview, I have received interest from a few promoters which I passed on to Dickey. The fans’ interest has also had a big impact on him. We have agreed to make a decision on December 12, his birthday. See you then!”

Earlier this week, Spero posted this question to Facebook: “This is a huge what if, but what if Dickey Betts decided to play 10 cities, what should they be?” If in fact Dickey Betts will perform again, it will mark his first time back since playing a 2014 Robarts Arena show near his Sarasota County home.

The inspiration to hit the road was spurred by a recent interview with Rolling Stone, where Betts received widespread praise for his incomparable life’s work. Every Allman Brothers Band fan is inevitably a fan of Dickey Betts, so perhaps this upcoming tour will treat him with the respect he artistically deserves. We’ll hold tight until November 15, when Dickey Betts will make the official announcement regarding his possible return to the road. Indeed, the road goes on forever…