Click here to see the photos. Allman Brothers band played Hershey Pavilion on perfect summer night on 08-25-2008.  Not even sure where to start… Photographing the Allman Brothers was one of the coolest things I have ever done.  Even though I was not alive during the legendary Duane Allman years, I caught up with time as many others did wearing out Live At The Filmore East and Eat A Peach records throughout the years. Fast forward to today’s current line up featuring the youth of Derek Trucks (Butch Truck’s nephew) and Warren Haynes on the guitar duties as well as Oteil Burbridge on bass and you will find a re-energized band that is spitting fire every night. It is no secret that Derek Trucks (also of the Derek Trucks Band) is my favorite living guitarist.  He effortlessly plays blues, jazz, and indian influenced slide guitar with tone that just tears you apart.  He is into the performance 100% every night just pure musicianship with no showy gimmicks in fact, he rarely moves around the stage or even cracks a smile at times.  The first time I saw him play was in 2001, since then I have not missed a single opportunity I had to see him.  It is mind-blowing to know that he is only 29 years old. Warren Haynes is the hardest working and versitile guitarists in the business without a doubt having full time roles in Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule all the while frequently playing with The Dead, Phil Lesh, and countless guest appearances.  Warren is a musical chameleon of sorts, throw him into any situation and he will quickly convince you that he belongs.  This is also the first tour back after having to cancel many shows including the annual beacon run this year due to Greg Allman getting treatment for Hepatitis.  After a few months rest, Greg was already to go in fact I think his voice even got better after having time to rest it. The set started off with a great bluesy 1-2-3 punch with Statesboro Blues, Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’, and Stormy Monday and I am not sure I could have scripted that any better.  They led right from Stormy Monday right into an awesome version of Rocking Horse that really lifted up the crowd and left them spinning for the rest of the night.  Derek was playing only his second or third show with a loaned authentic 1959 Gibson Les Paul (see photos) worth over a half a million bucks.  He played this guitar until I believe Come and Go Blues because there looked to be some issues with sound so he switched to the 1961 SG for the rest of the evening.   After Come and Go Blues they invited Bob Weir of RatDog (and Grateful Dead) on stage to cover Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 only Bob forgot the words when it came his time to sing… oops. :)  A scorching solo by Derek followed Bob’s verse and we all forgot all about it.  The rest of the night flew by too fast.  The crowd danced and sang the rest of the night.  Then we were all left humming the hamony parts to the instrumental Jessica all the way on their ride home…. I know I did. Dum-duh-duh-dut-DUH  dut-dut-dut DUH-DUT-duh-DAH! The setlist for the night was as follows: 8/25/2008 Hershey Star Pavilion, Hershey, PA Statesboro Blues Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’ Stormy Monday Rocking Horse Come and Go Blues Highway 61 Revisited¹ No One To Run With The Same Thing² Melissa Jessica > bass > drums > Jessica Encore: One Way Out ¹w/Bob Weir - Guitar & Vocals ²w/Kenny Brooks - Sax; Jeff Chimenti - Keys

  Click here to see the photos. RatDog opened for the Allman Brothers Band in Hershey, PA on 08-25-2008 at the Hershey Pavilion.  RatDog is fronted by the ex-Grateful Dead member, Bob Weir.  Bob Weir has had an assortment of line up changes over the years but the lineup since 2003 has been: Bob Weir, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti, Mark Karan, Kenny Brooks, Robin Sylvester. Bob Weir provides the vocals and also lays down the rhythm guitar in the group while the lead guitarist, Mark Karan, lays down the solos over top.  Karan has played in offspring bands of the Dead like Phil Lesh and Friends, The Other Ones, etc. for years so he knows how to dial in the Jerry sounds and scales very well. The set (see setlist below) had some great points Black Bird and Friend of the Devil were personal favorites of mine in addtion to: Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule) took the guest spot on St. Stephen > William Tell Bridge > The Eleven and took the stitched together shows to new heights.  Warren Haynes has toured with The Dead and is advertised as taking Jerry Garcia’s place in the reunited Grateful Dead for the Rock for Barack concert that is yet to be finalized, but we know it will be in Pennsylvania. This was more of a double bill than having a headliner and an opener.  Both bands are very well known, have band members that have both played roles in creating musical history. This late August night was a perfect summer concert evening.  The sunset took place during RatDog’s opening slot but even after the sunset, the weather was a very comfortable evening filled with great music and Hersheypark fun! The setlist for the evening was (setlist taken from ratdog.org): Jam > Here Comes Sunshine > Big River She Belongs to Me Lucky Enough > Deal Blackbird Friend of the Devil Estimated Prophet > The Other One > Stuff > Stella Blue St. Stephen* > William Tell Bridge* > The Eleven* *-with Warren Haynes (Guitar/Vocals); “Other One” was second verse only and featured “Spanish Jam” Bob sat in with ABB on “Highway 61 Revisited” Kenny and Jeff sat in with ABB on “The Same Thing”

I was offered a ticket to the Allman Brothers/Ratdog show at the Hershey Pavilion tonight. But I declined the invite. You see, when I go to a concert, I like to enjoy myself. And I’m not referring to any earth-shattering activities…just, you know…having fun at the show. But the Gestapo in Derry Township have made it crystal clear that [...]