On Friday March 15th Devon will perform at Reggie’s on South State Street in Chicago. Devon is the son of Greg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. He is not the son of Cher and Greg. He is the son of Greg and his first wife, Shelley Kay Winters. He was born in Texas in 1972, but now lives in St. Louis. His parents divorced when he was just an infant.
Devon started playing music in his teens, which is about the time he first met his father. There wasn’t an influence by his famous father for that reason. They did bond instantly once they did meet. However, Gregg never tried to meddle in Devon’s career. In the 1990’s, Devon was involved in the growing blues and rock scene in St. Louis and also managed a Guitar Center store.
In his twenties, he tried to distance himself from his father’s style of music by experimenting with different styles. By his thirties he realized it was in his blood and embraced the blues and rock style. He was inspired by the Stones, Doors and the Allman Brothers. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos was especially influential. It can make him cry if he lets it.
In 1999 Devon formed Honeytribe. In 2001, they broke up when Devon became a father. He wanted to spend time with his infant son. Perhaps that had something to do with his personal experience. In any case, Honeytribe reformed in 2005. They have recorded two albums and toured the United States, Europe and Canada playing around 300 shows.
In 2011, Allman joined the project called the Royal Southern Brotherhood. The blues-rock all-star lineup included Cyril Neville, Mike Zito, Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks Band) and Charlie Wooten. They recorded their first album in December. It took them just five days to record the album at Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana. As of September of 2012, they have toured extensively in the United States and fourteen other countries.
Also in September of 2012, Devon was finishing up the recording of his first solo album, titled "Turquoise”. The album was just released last month. The album features Myles Weeks on bass and Yonrico Scott on drums. It also features guests Samantha Fish, Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars & Black Crows), Rick Steff (Dexey’s Midnight Runners & Hank Williams Jr.) and Ron Holloway. The tour began in November and stops in Chicago this Friday. The touring band includes Pedro Arevalo on bass, Bobby Schneck Jr. on second guitar and Anthony Nanney on drums.
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