Duane Betts offered a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts, with a moving rendition of “Blue Sky” on the one-year anniversary of his passing. The emotional moment came near the end of the first set during Duane’s performance with his band, Palmetto Motel, at The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA on Friday.
While Duane frequently draws from the Allman Brothers Band songbook in his live shows, this particular “Blue Sky” carried special significance. The date—April 18th—marked exactly one year since Dickey Betts’ death, adding a poignant layer to the elder Betts’ signature composition.
A pioneering figure in Southern rock, Dickey Betts helped define the genre alongside Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, and the rest of the original ABB lineup, which formed in 1969. The band forged its own style, mixing blues with the grit of rock ‘n’ roll and lengthy improvised jams. Betts was an integral part of the groups groundbreaking sound, often harmonizing the lead guitar parts with Duane Allman. After Duane’s untimely death in 1971, Betts stayed with the band for nearly 30 more years until he was relieved of his duties via fax in 2000, allegedly due to his drug and alcohol abuse—a claim which he contested.
Friday’s setlist also featured “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”—another Dickey Betts-penned classic—alongside a cover of Wilco’s “Impossible Germany”, selections from Duane’s 2023 debut solo album, Wild & Precious Life, and more.
Looking ahead, Betts will team up with fellow ABB descendant Devon Allman to help close out Daze Between New Orleans with The Allman Betts Band New Orleans Family Revival—a special Big Easy edition of The Allman Betts Band‘s annual “Family Revival” showcase featuring guest appearances by notable New Orleans locals George Porter Jr. (bass, The Meters), Ivan Neville (keys and vocals, Dumpstaphunk), Sierra Green (vocals), and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Horns plus Eric Krasno (guitar). He will join an all-star lineup featuring members of Dead & Company, The Disco Biscuits, moe., and more for A Dream We Dreamed: A New Orleans Tribute To Phil Lesh as part of Live For Live Music‘s Fest by Nite series, and he has a new album due out this year.
Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel – “Blue Sky” (Allman Brothers Band) – 4/18/25
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