Tune In, Turn On
It’s a lot to label someone the future of the blues, yet what we witnessed last week, when Devon Allman’s Blues Summit came to Atlantic City, clearly felt like the most successful way to keep the genre alive.
While beloved by its core audience, the blues audience is aging into their 50s and beyond, while not being replaced by a younger crowd. Maybe those 30-somethings need to pay more attention to Devon Allman’s Blues Summit when they come to town.
Allman, 53, is no stranger to Atlantic City, having performed here last summer as part of Tony Mart Presents Mardi Gras Concerts on the Boardwalk, with Allman Betts Band in June at the Borgata, and again last Wednesday (another Tony Mart show). The concert was moved inside to the Claridge’s Celebrity Theatre due to inclement weather, the second consecutive year this happened, but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the packed theatre, which holds 550 people.
Devon didn’t come to town alone. The musical friends he brought along included legendary harpist/frontman Jimmy Hall – ex-lead frontman of Southern rock greats Wet Willie, and longtime band leader for Hank Williams Jr., who played with Devon’s dad in Gregg Allman Band. The lineup included respected New Orleans-based blues ‘n’ soul singer Sierra Green, and veteran blues guitar ace Larry McCray.
Also in Allman’s band: in-demand Hammond B-3 keyboardist (and Morristown, NJ native) John Ginty; and Jackson Stokes who, besides playing lead guitar for Devon Allman’s Blues Summit, fronts his own successful band and has been playing on the road professionally over half of his life (he’s just 31).
Assembling a touring ensemble of this magnitude not only shows there’s always strength in numbers, it’s also the smartest, most effective way to package an album featuring multiple artists such as Devon Allman’s latest.
Ruf Records has a history of putting together successful ensemble tours such as their yearly, multi-artist Blues Caravan, and last year’s wildly popular Ruf 30th Anniversary Tour featuring Samantha Fish, Canned Heat, Mitch Ryder and others (more Ryder later).
“Devon Allman really put that show together brilliantly,” said Tony Mart promoter Carmen Marotta. “It was so well-orchestrated and managed with Jimmy Hall playing the leads and Larry McCray showing his soulful blues guitar artistry. Devon and his fellow guitarist in Blues Summit (Stokes) were fabulous, and Sierra Green really lit it up with New Orleans neo-soul. The way all those players performed the different elements of Devon’s legacy and Americana blues-rock music was a truly rewarding experience.”
After a spirited solo opening set by Belgium-born guitarist/vocalist Ghalia Volt, who also records for Ruf, Allman and company took the stage. What unfolded was the perfect ensemble set: A few songs by Devon and the band, then a few by Hall, Green, and McCray, with a terrific ensemble rendition of Allman Brothers Band classic, “Midnight Rider,” at the end.
Devon shined on his guitar solo during another ABB gem, “Melissa.” This, friend, is the future of the blues. Allman, and the folks who manage him. Rueben Williams/Thunderbird Management, who was in AC for the show, are leading the way.
The aforementioned Ryder, who turned 80 in February, first performed at the famed Tony Mart nightclub back in the 1960s. He’s still rockin’ and recording new music, releasing two well-received records on Ruf in 2024. Ryder will headline Tony Mart’s final free Somers Point beach concert of the season 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.
“In his several wildly popular performances at Tony Mart in the early 1960s, Mitch Ryder was intense and hard-core as a serious rock and roller before many others were,” said Marotta. “His soulful driving rock, and his fabulous stage show with the tight Detroit Wheels (band), made him the perfect choice for Tony Mart when he needed a headliner to replace the tremendously popular Levon and the Hawks when Bob Dylan took them away from Tony Mart’s in late August of 1965.
“Mitch Ryder gave Tony Mart’s a wild and memorable end to the greatest musical summer at the iconic rock and roll bar in South Jersey.”
Happy Labor Day! Be safe everyone.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
