gregg allman
Gregory LeNoir Allman (December 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017) was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He was known for performing in the Allman Brothers Band. Allman grew up with an interest in rhythm and blues music, and the Allman Brothers Band fused it with rock music, jazz, and country at times. He wrote several of the band's biggest songs, including "Whipping Post", "Melissa", and "Midnight Rider". Allman also had a successful solo career, releasing seven studio albums. He was born and spent much of his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee, before relocating to Daytona Beach, Florida and then Macon, Georgia. Allman died at his home in Richmond Hill, Georgia, on May 27, 2017, due to complications from liver cancer at the age of 69. His funeral took place at Snow's Memorial Chapel in Macon on June 3, and was attended by once-estranged bandmate Dickey Betts, his ex-wife Cher, and former President Carter, among others. According to Rolling Stone, the mourners dressed casually in jeans per Allman's request, and "hundreds of fans, many wearing Allman Brothers shirts and listening to the band's music, lined the route along the funeral procession." He was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, beside his brother Duane, and fellow band member Berry Oakley.
Before his death, Allman recorded his last album, Southern Blood, with producer Don Was at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album was recorded with his then-current backing band. The album was released on September 8, 2017, and received critical acclaim.
Before his death, Allman recorded his last album, Southern Blood, with producer Don Was at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album was recorded with his then-current backing band. The album was released on September 8, 2017, and received critical acclaim.
I do believe in God, because somebody had to plan all this–stuff like this just doesn’t happen. I didn’t always feel that way, though. For a long time, I didn’t really believe in God, but I didn’t really not believe in him either. It just wasn’t one of my favorite subjects… Thankfully, by the time everything started going on with my liver [in 2007-08], I’d been thinking differently about all that for a while. About fifteen years ago I started wearing a cross, because I finally got some sort of spirituality…
A big part of my getting straight with God had to do with sobering up. I’ve had a life that’s gone all different places and directions, and I’ve missed out on a certain amount of stuff because of the drugs and alcohol. As I got sober, because I was so sick of missing out, I finally reached out and prayed. Before then I’d been praying for a long time, but I never seemed to get any kind of answer. Later on, though, it became clear to me and kinda hit me at once. It was such a revelation, man.
Basically, what I did, in one big fell swoop, was surrender, and with that came all the rest. My life went into something like the spin cycle of a washing machine, and when I came out, I didn’t want any more cigarettes, and I damn sure didn’t want any more liquor. Now, if I’m having a problem, or a friend of mine is having a problem, or something is keeping me from sleeping, I’ll just lay there and not really pray so much as just meditate. I get real still and talk to the Man, and he’ll help you if you ask… God is there all the time, and so is my guardian angel, or whatever it is that keeps me from self-destructing or keeps me out of harm’s way…
One of [my ex-wife] Stacey’s strongest influences on me was to get me thinking about God. All Stacey’s people have a certain amount of faith, more than I ever had around me. She got me going to church, even though that got a little bit hinky, because people were asking me for autographs. The preacher was dynamite, and they had a full band, with horns, a killer bass player, and a choir–I loved that part of it. I hadn’t been to church in a while, because I didn’t believe in the dog-and-pony show–who can outdo who in the collection plate, that stuff bothered me. The church was so crowded, and it became such a thing, a happening, and although I met a lot of nice people, it was too much.
At one point I was going to convert to Catholicism, but they had so many rules. I have to say that the Catholic Church is very much about who has the nicest suit, the valet parking–too much about the money. I don’t think you have to dress up or show God a bunch of gold for him to forgive you your sins, love you, and guide you. Then I went to an Episcopal church in Daytona, and it just felt right. The Episcopal Church isn’t about gimme, gimme, gimme. The Episcopalians are like enlightened Catholics. They have the faith, but they’re a little more open-minded.
Now I sit here in my house in Savannah, look out over the water at the oaks, and know that I have a reason to live. After all I’ve been through, I can’t help but feel I’ve been redeemed, over and over.
--Gregg Allman; My Cross To Bear (pg 366-368)
A big part of my getting straight with God had to do with sobering up. I’ve had a life that’s gone all different places and directions, and I’ve missed out on a certain amount of stuff because of the drugs and alcohol. As I got sober, because I was so sick of missing out, I finally reached out and prayed. Before then I’d been praying for a long time, but I never seemed to get any kind of answer. Later on, though, it became clear to me and kinda hit me at once. It was such a revelation, man.
Basically, what I did, in one big fell swoop, was surrender, and with that came all the rest. My life went into something like the spin cycle of a washing machine, and when I came out, I didn’t want any more cigarettes, and I damn sure didn’t want any more liquor. Now, if I’m having a problem, or a friend of mine is having a problem, or something is keeping me from sleeping, I’ll just lay there and not really pray so much as just meditate. I get real still and talk to the Man, and he’ll help you if you ask… God is there all the time, and so is my guardian angel, or whatever it is that keeps me from self-destructing or keeps me out of harm’s way…
One of [my ex-wife] Stacey’s strongest influences on me was to get me thinking about God. All Stacey’s people have a certain amount of faith, more than I ever had around me. She got me going to church, even though that got a little bit hinky, because people were asking me for autographs. The preacher was dynamite, and they had a full band, with horns, a killer bass player, and a choir–I loved that part of it. I hadn’t been to church in a while, because I didn’t believe in the dog-and-pony show–who can outdo who in the collection plate, that stuff bothered me. The church was so crowded, and it became such a thing, a happening, and although I met a lot of nice people, it was too much.
At one point I was going to convert to Catholicism, but they had so many rules. I have to say that the Catholic Church is very much about who has the nicest suit, the valet parking–too much about the money. I don’t think you have to dress up or show God a bunch of gold for him to forgive you your sins, love you, and guide you. Then I went to an Episcopal church in Daytona, and it just felt right. The Episcopal Church isn’t about gimme, gimme, gimme. The Episcopalians are like enlightened Catholics. They have the faith, but they’re a little more open-minded.
Now I sit here in my house in Savannah, look out over the water at the oaks, and know that I have a reason to live. After all I’ve been through, I can’t help but feel I’ve been redeemed, over and over.
--Gregg Allman; My Cross To Bear (pg 366-368)
Allman was averse to organized religion for many years, but claimed he always believed in a God. Following his health ailments in the latter stages of his life, he came around to his own form of Christianity, and began wearing a cross necklace. In his memoir, he stated: "As long as you have spirituality, you're never alone. It's sort of like my mother said all those years ago: now I have my own kind of faith, just like other people. They take what they want of faith, and they leave the rest alone, and I do the same. That's the way it should be." He credited his sixth wife, Stacey Fountain, with helping him increase his faith. --The Drive 97.; Gregg Allman
Sermon: “Good News for Midnight Riders” (June 11, 2017)| Jun 12, 2017 |
Christ Episcopal Church, Valdosta
“Good News for Midnight Riders” (2 Corinthians 13:13)
June 11, 2017
Dave Johnson
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As you know Southern rock icon Gregg Allman recently passed away and was buried in the legendary Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon. In attendance at the funeral were a number of celebrities, including his longtime friend, Jimmy Carter. Near the end of his fascinating 2012 autobiography My Cross to Bear Allman wrote:
Music is in my life’s blood. I love music, I love to play good music, and I love to play music for people who appreciate it. And when it’s all said and done, I’ll go to my grave and my brother (Duane) will greet me, saying, “Nice work, little brother—you did all right” (378).
One of my favorite songs by the Allman Brothers Band is “Midnight Rider.” See if you can relate to any of these lyrics:
I’ve got to run to keep from hiding
And I’m bound to keep on riding…
I don’t own the clothes I’m wearing
And the road goes on forever…
I’ve gone by the point of caring
Some old bed I’ll soon be sharing
And I’ve got one more silver dollar
But I’m not gonna let them catch me, no
Not gonna let them catch the Midnight Rider
(From the Allman Brothers Band 1970 album Idlewild South)
There are many people who have “to run to keep from hiding” or have “gone by the point of caring”? The world is full of Midnight Riders.
Today is the first Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the redeeming work of one God in three Persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and “acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity” (The Book of Common Prayer 228).
Recently a professor named Ed Stetzer, who many years ago became a Christian at an Episcopal church, published an article in The Washington Post about the long term decline among Protestant mainline churches. “If current trends continue,” he wrote, “mainline Protestantism has about 23 Easters left.” He continues:
The news of mainline Protestantism’s decline is hardly new. Yet the trend lines are showing a trajectory toward zero in both those who attend a mainline church regularly and those who will identify with a mainline denomination 23 years from now.
He then posits his view as to why this is the case:
Over the past few decades, some mainline Protestants have abandoned central doctrines that were deemed “offensive” to the surrounding culture….Some mainline Protestant leaders rejected or minimized these beliefs—beliefs that made the “protest” in Protestantism 500 years ago—as an invitation for more people to join a more culturally relevant and socially acceptable church. But if the mainline Protestant expression isn’t different enough from mainstream culture, people turn to other answers (The Washington Post, April 28, 2017).
Stetzer is exactly right, “if the mainline Protestant expression isn’t different from mainstream culture,” people—especially Midnight Riders who “run to keep from hiding” and have passed “the point of caring”—will indeed “turn to other answers.” But rather than turn to other answers, in the Christian faith we are beckoned to turn to the Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.........................While we do not know what mainline Protestantism in America will look like 23 years from now, we do know that God’s saving work of “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit” will continue. Gregg Allman was right—“the road goes on forever”—and so does the saving work of our Triune God…very good news for Midnight Riders, for eventually midnight will turn to dawn.
Amen.
Christ Episcopal Church, Valdosta
“Good News for Midnight Riders” (2 Corinthians 13:13)
June 11, 2017
Dave Johnson
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As you know Southern rock icon Gregg Allman recently passed away and was buried in the legendary Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon. In attendance at the funeral were a number of celebrities, including his longtime friend, Jimmy Carter. Near the end of his fascinating 2012 autobiography My Cross to Bear Allman wrote:
Music is in my life’s blood. I love music, I love to play good music, and I love to play music for people who appreciate it. And when it’s all said and done, I’ll go to my grave and my brother (Duane) will greet me, saying, “Nice work, little brother—you did all right” (378).
One of my favorite songs by the Allman Brothers Band is “Midnight Rider.” See if you can relate to any of these lyrics:
I’ve got to run to keep from hiding
And I’m bound to keep on riding…
I don’t own the clothes I’m wearing
And the road goes on forever…
I’ve gone by the point of caring
Some old bed I’ll soon be sharing
And I’ve got one more silver dollar
But I’m not gonna let them catch me, no
Not gonna let them catch the Midnight Rider
(From the Allman Brothers Band 1970 album Idlewild South)
There are many people who have “to run to keep from hiding” or have “gone by the point of caring”? The world is full of Midnight Riders.
Today is the first Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the redeeming work of one God in three Persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and “acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity” (The Book of Common Prayer 228).
Recently a professor named Ed Stetzer, who many years ago became a Christian at an Episcopal church, published an article in The Washington Post about the long term decline among Protestant mainline churches. “If current trends continue,” he wrote, “mainline Protestantism has about 23 Easters left.” He continues:
The news of mainline Protestantism’s decline is hardly new. Yet the trend lines are showing a trajectory toward zero in both those who attend a mainline church regularly and those who will identify with a mainline denomination 23 years from now.
He then posits his view as to why this is the case:
Over the past few decades, some mainline Protestants have abandoned central doctrines that were deemed “offensive” to the surrounding culture….Some mainline Protestant leaders rejected or minimized these beliefs—beliefs that made the “protest” in Protestantism 500 years ago—as an invitation for more people to join a more culturally relevant and socially acceptable church. But if the mainline Protestant expression isn’t different enough from mainstream culture, people turn to other answers (The Washington Post, April 28, 2017).
Stetzer is exactly right, “if the mainline Protestant expression isn’t different from mainstream culture,” people—especially Midnight Riders who “run to keep from hiding” and have passed “the point of caring”—will indeed “turn to other answers.” But rather than turn to other answers, in the Christian faith we are beckoned to turn to the Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.........................While we do not know what mainline Protestantism in America will look like 23 years from now, we do know that God’s saving work of “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit” will continue. Gregg Allman was right—“the road goes on forever”—and so does the saving work of our Triune God…very good news for Midnight Riders, for eventually midnight will turn to dawn.
Amen.
A friend shared the following from Gregg Allman of the Allman brothers band.
I respect his musical giftedness but take exception to the idea that an individual can simply have his "own kind of faith." There is one faith (Ephesians 4:4-6) and all Christians are obligated to vigorously defend the one faith communicated in Scripture (Jude 3; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23).
Allman was married seven times. He married Shelley Kay Jefts in 1971 and divorced the following year. He married Janice Blair in 1973 and divorced in 1974; she is pictured on the sleeve of Laid Back. His most well-known relationship was with Cher, whom he married in 1975. After their 1978 divorce, he wed Julie Bindas the following year, and divorced in 1981. He married Galliano in 1989, and they divorced in 1994. His longest marriage was to Stacey Fountain, from 2001 to 2008 "seven out-of-sight years," he remarked. In My Cross to Bear, he writes that "Every woman I've ever had a relationship with has loved me for who they thought I was." At the time of its writing, he noted that he only spoke to two out of his then-six wives, including Cher. In 2012, he announced his engagement to Shannon Williams, who was 40 years his junior. They were quietly married in February 2017....
Allman was averse to organized religion for many years, but claimed he always believed in a God. Following his health ailments in the latter stages of his life, he came around to his own form of Christianity, and began wearing a cross necklace. In his memoir, he stated: "As long as you have spirituality, you're never alone. It's sort of like my mother said all those years ago: now I have my own kind of faith, just like other people. They take what they want of faith, and they leave the rest alone, and I do the same. That's the way it should be." He credited his sixth wife, Stacey Fountain, with helping him increase his faith. --FaceBook Post by Let The Bible Speak; April 2, 2019
I respect his musical giftedness but take exception to the idea that an individual can simply have his "own kind of faith." There is one faith (Ephesians 4:4-6) and all Christians are obligated to vigorously defend the one faith communicated in Scripture (Jude 3; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23).
Allman was married seven times. He married Shelley Kay Jefts in 1971 and divorced the following year. He married Janice Blair in 1973 and divorced in 1974; she is pictured on the sleeve of Laid Back. His most well-known relationship was with Cher, whom he married in 1975. After their 1978 divorce, he wed Julie Bindas the following year, and divorced in 1981. He married Galliano in 1989, and they divorced in 1994. His longest marriage was to Stacey Fountain, from 2001 to 2008 "seven out-of-sight years," he remarked. In My Cross to Bear, he writes that "Every woman I've ever had a relationship with has loved me for who they thought I was." At the time of its writing, he noted that he only spoke to two out of his then-six wives, including Cher. In 2012, he announced his engagement to Shannon Williams, who was 40 years his junior. They were quietly married in February 2017....
Allman was averse to organized religion for many years, but claimed he always believed in a God. Following his health ailments in the latter stages of his life, he came around to his own form of Christianity, and began wearing a cross necklace. In his memoir, he stated: "As long as you have spirituality, you're never alone. It's sort of like my mother said all those years ago: now I have my own kind of faith, just like other people. They take what they want of faith, and they leave the rest alone, and I do the same. That's the way it should be." He credited his sixth wife, Stacey Fountain, with helping him increase his faith. --FaceBook Post by Let The Bible Speak; April 2, 2019
To the "Christian" lady who made the mean-spirited remarks about Gregg Allman: You should be ashamed attempting to defame a man who recently died of cancer. He can't defend himself. Pull out your Bible: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone."
Perhaps you're too busy casting stones.
I've been following Jesus Christ from the time I was a child and now am 70. I am proud to say I've been a Gregg Allman fan since I met him in Macon, Ga., four-and-a-half decades ago. I've observed him turn his life around and give up drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Mercer University, a Baptist college, awarded him an honorary doctorate in humanities.
Gregg Allman was a Christian and I feel certain is now with Jesus in heaven.
Dalton Daily Citizen; Letter to the Editor 6.14.17
Perhaps you're too busy casting stones.
I've been following Jesus Christ from the time I was a child and now am 70. I am proud to say I've been a Gregg Allman fan since I met him in Macon, Ga., four-and-a-half decades ago. I've observed him turn his life around and give up drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Mercer University, a Baptist college, awarded him an honorary doctorate in humanities.
Gregg Allman was a Christian and I feel certain is now with Jesus in heaven.
Dalton Daily Citizen; Letter to the Editor 6.14.17