Saturday, January 21, 2012

Hello Everyone!

Been a while. I seem to be going through a period of trying my best to listen rather than yell. I have, however, been reading the posts in response to my blogs. The dude that keeps saying that we were playing clubs and dives and that only the emergence of Lynyrd Skynyrd kept us around? Well if he wants to take the time the "facts" are readily available. Just do a bit of research. I have no problem with the music and accomplishments of Skynyrd and I am happy that they were able to do what they have done. Whether you like their music or ours or both is simply a matter of taste, and is your opinion of what you think is worth your time listening to. We are all entitled to our own opinions. We are not entitled to our own facts. Facts are stubborn things that remain true whether we believe in them or not. That dude's statements simply do not correspond with the facts.

Like evolution. You can say as many times as you like that you "don't believe in evolution." Guess what? It is not up for belief. Evolution is a fact that remains true whether you believe in it or not. Kinda like saying I don't believe in the reality of that tree that's about to pound me into the ground. That tree cares not one whit about your "belief." If it's falling and you are under it you're going to get pounded. Our tonsils were once glands that secreted digestive fluids back before we cooked our food. Fact, not up for debate. Once we began cooking food and stopped eating raw meat, hair and bones, tonsils became unnecessary. They stopped secreting any fluids and began to evolve out of the human anatomy. If we can survive long enough babies will be born, indeed some are already being born, without tonsils. This is one example of evolution at work. Not up for debate: FACT

As for my comments about what music I listen to; what possible difference could this make on any of your lives? Of course I have listened to Derek's records and Warren's and Gregg's. They are all excellent. What it comes down to is music is the greatest force in my life, when I am PLAYING it. When I have the time to listen I usually don't listen to any music. Most of my listening time is when I am driving around in my car. I have a collection of hundreds of college lectures from a company called "The Teaching Company." They are lectures from the best college professors from the best universities in the US and even a couple from abroad. Most of my collection is about philosophy, literature and the history of the West. The picture of Will is there simply because I think he is the most important figure in western literature. Like him or hate him, all writers since the early 17th century were influenced by him. I have recently ordered several series of lectures about the philosophy, literature and history of the East and Middle East. I am really looking forward to listening to them and learning more about the world I live in.

I did not complete college and maybe this need for knowledge is from a deep rooted insecurity. Whatever the reason I much prefer these lectures to listening to something I would rather be DOING and that I have no insecurity in my ability to do. The people I mentioned, "Trane, Miles, etc" are the DVDs I put on when I have a party or people over for dinner or anytime when there needs to be some music playing. What I choose to listen to when I am alone is my choice and has absolutely no impact on any of your lives. Why you think you need to bust my chops for my choice is beyond me. You listen to the music you choose, believe in the religion or philosophy you choose and they have no effect on me. Your choice. My choice.

Maybe I am not as opinionated as I was when I started this thing. Maybe that's a good thing. Perhaps it will make it more difficult for me to write future blogs. I, like all of you, am evolving.

Peace.

107 comments:

  1. Good to have you back.

    It's a scary world when everyone thinks in right or wrong, black and white. I dislike confrontation but there are those who thrive on it. When I feel bullied by the opinionated, I tend to close up rather than stand my ground. That is being dishonest to myself, I know.

    When opinions are presented as facts, there's often little opportunity to approach the opinionated with facts. Is it better to walk away or fight? Is there a middle ground? Whatever happened to respect?

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  2. Right on Butch!! People really have a lot of nerve!! Thank God we are all different!! I like to know the source of and where you get those tapes... they sound great.
    Cheers
    ar

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  3. Well, I may have been a little snide in my comment, but after evaluating my listening habits, I really don't listen to music for enjoyment these days myself. I rarely listen to the radio in the car unless I want to hear Styx or Boston which is never.

    I do listen when I'm trying to learn a new song on bass (E. Reed at the moment), but that's about it.

    I understand about music for guests, and my selection depends on when I want them to go home. Jimmy Buffet's "Why don't we get drunk and screw" can empty a room.

    Sorry.

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  4. It must have been about 1969 when I was living in Gainesville, attending UF. To say I was poor is an understatement. Back then, many college students lived a pauper's life, but figured it would end once the old sheepskin was in hand. Some friends of equally minimal resources and I decided to hitchhike to either Bradenton or Sarasota to see our local heroes, the ABB, play. There were four of us and when we pooled our money we had $5 in total. We figured it would be enough to get all of us in because it didn't cost that much to see the ABB back then. Luckily, some dudes in a van picked us up on Archer Road and took us all the way from G'ville to the front door of the venue. We were in total shock when we discovered that the cost to get in was about $2.50 EACH! Were we ever bummed. As the ABB's biggest fan ever, I was the most disappointed of all and suggested we draw lots to see which two of us would get tickets. But I was swayed that we should adopt an all-for-one-one-for-all attitude so none of us went in. :-( Dejected, we hitched up to St. Pete to visit our parents. Now, it is more than 40 years later, and sadly, for me things haven't changed much when it comes to dinero. Oh, I'm much better off financially than I was in college, but as a recent retiree living on a fixed income, I sure ain't rich. I ache to see the ABB at the Beacon before I die and hoped that this would be the year. But I just checked ticket prices, and am again bummed that I do not have enough money to get in. In neither case am I blaming the band. Ya'll have to earn a crust. Maybe next year ... For me hope always springs eternal. :-)

    Melissa

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    1. Keep the faith melissa and believe it'll happen. I too have been waiting nearly 40 years to get to NY and in 2010 got the chance after saving up for 5 years for Air Miles from London! Sure, it was bread and water for a month, but worth it! :-)

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  5. Butch
    I really hope this is not a send off. I so look forward to hearing what you have to say. Political speech can be so harsh. I don't know nearly as much as the next person and I often have trouble making a point or even defending one at times. Possibly because I want to value what everyone thinks or believes.
    That being said, the stories about The Brothers past future but mostly present, is what I really wait for.
    It's an insight that I can get no where else. No magazine article, which there are so few of and usually edited to a point where it looks nothing like what was said, will give me the stories you can tell.
    Congratulations on the lifetime acheivement by the way. So well deserved. I keep wondering why the ceremony is the night before and not the night of. I'm stewing over it so I'm hoping there is a valid reason.
    Thankful for another year at the Beacon. See you then! Next year 2013 I'll turn 50 on March 17th... I need you guys there! I've celebrated so many birthdays with my beloved brothers for so many years. Don't let me down!

    Janine / Long Island

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  6. Well the Allman Brothers Band has won a lifetime grammy to be presented to the band next month!! That is pretty darn good for a band that was playing small clubs and dives from 1969 to 1973 when Skynyrd's first album came out and somehow the ABB was able to grab onto LS's sudden rise to stardom which opened the doors for other "southern rock" ( a handle some members of the ABB never liked and didn't exist as far as I remember when Duane was alive) bands to get into theaters and later coliseums. I guess I was so high on dope in 1970 when I stood with a huge crowd of several thousand at Love Valley, North Carolina in front of the stage which had the ABB playing. I can still remember Jaimoe didn't wear a shirt, Dickey had on a hat & Duane wore a tank top (sleeveless shirt) and I also imagined the High Point College auditorium in North Carolina was sold out for the ABB in 1971 which was also my last time seeing Duane Allman. Or that the Winston-Salem, North Carolina COLISEUM was sold out in Feb 1972 when the ABB played as what is now known as "the five man band" and Gregg Allman told the audience about their new album coming out in just a few days called "Eat A Peach" on the Warner Brothers label. (Gregg was wrong. When the record came out the band was still on Phil Walden's label but it was distributed by WB, not Atlantic) The ABB then played several songs that were on Eat A Peach. Duane Allman missing really stuck out for us fans who had seen the band dozens of times before. I well remember on older songs Gregg would play where Duane would have played such as Stormy Monday then do his usual solo where the tempo changes. On other songs, Dickey would play TWO solos (his & where Duane would have been). On "One Way Out" which I had only heard live at that time as the live version came out on Eat a Peach, where Duane and Dickey would trade runs on the guitar, that night Dickey and Berry Oakley did that; but with B. O. on bass. So the void left by Duane's passing really stuck out but I must say the five man band actually played with a little touch of emotion that I had not heard before with the ABB. Maybe it was me missing Duane or maybe it was the five remaining members missing Duane. Pretty vivid memories for a man plastered on acid imagining his favorite band was playing before these big crowds when in reality the ABB was in a small club/dive!!!!

    Well as Butch wrote. The facts don't support the position that LS opened up doors for the ABB. The facts are the ABB opened up doors for other rock bands from the south to get bigger without being introduced in LA, New York or the UK etc.

    The VERY YEAR LS' first album came out, "Brothers and Sisters" was also out and stood at number ONE on the Billboard top 200 albums chart for FIVE WEEKS!!! & sold well over a million copies and produced two hits for the ABB. Ramblin' Man & Jessica as well as other songs that continue to be ABB standards such as Wasted Words & Southbound & contains a track that is about the most professional & smooth sounding blues tracks that has been recorded in the history of music. Jelly, Jelly.

    .

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    1. BobO, right on. Lifetime Achievement for ABB is a fact not an opinion. I love this band and have for more than half my lifetime.

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  7. As someone who trained extensively as a dancer, I --strangely enough-- can't sit through performances of any sort of dance. And it's always the same antsiness. I see them dance and want to dance, too! In fact, it's often irritating to me to watch them do something I'd rather be doing. So I think I understand where you're coming from. But had you not mentioned that you don't like listening to something you'd rather be joining in on, I wouldn't have gotten it. And I was only a mediocre dancer. So I can only imagine the exhilaration you must feeling playing music so well!

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  8. As to evolution, there is NO question that evolution is fact! What DRIVES evolution has some debate. For example Stephen Jay Gould held that Darwin was wrong & evolution was not a smooth, gradual process, but actually operated with fits & starts then periods of basic static which can last for years. Or the odd view proposed by Sir Fred Hoyle & his PhD student at Cambridge, Chandra Wickramasinghe, PhD that proposed evolution is driven by genetic material arriving from outer space! I thought this was very odd when I bought their book "Evolution From Space" when it was new in 1981. That view really never caught on but their view in the book that life did NOT develop here on earth by random processes (Darwin's warm little pond) is also wrong, is gaining support. Noted co-discoverer of DNA, Sir Frances Crick, has serious doubts that carbon based life with such a complex DNA structure that must still be highly complex even in the most simple life form, could have evolved by chance. Dr. Crick proposed that a high intelligence that is a different kind of life created our kind of life and landed here via some kind of spaceship and planted the seeds of life (directed panspermia). But Hoyle & Wickramasinghe proposed a better way for that to happen. In their books "Lifecloud" & "Evolution from Space" they offered comets & meteorites as the vehicle on which life, created by some high intelligence elsewhere in the universe, rides onto this planet & other planets. They also find the interstellar dust seen with our telescopes to be bacteria. That idea has not gained traction but life coming to earth via comets & meteorites has as organic material & water droplets have been found in meteorites. Indeed, some scientist think the oceans built up over time via comet & meteorite collisions.

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    1. Basically, it's all theory and above our current understandings and proof. I like the idea of organic Comet dust though. But even the dust evolves!

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  9. P.S, have any of you checked out ITunesU? They have a lot of great free lectures. In some cases, there are whole courses you can download FOR FREE! I've been listening to this great, irreverent prof, Richard Bulliet, teach World History

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    1. Cool!!! I love free stuff...will check it out. Thanks Ana. I love stuff like that.

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  10. nobody's picked on you yet for this post, so i'll step up. :)

    seems like you've given some examples of adaptation instead of evolution. micro-evolution is a fact. one species to another and abiogenesis (the living coming from non-living material) is just as much a theory or belief system as religion.

    and don't let your writing slip. you've set a furious pace when you started. don't slow down on us now.

    happy new year and see you in march.

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  11. Nice to have you back...always love to read your stuff...you always bring an interesting view to the table...may not always agree, but I appreciate and respect your thoughts...hope 2012 is a great year for you and yours

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  12. Very helpful advice. Successful us I came across your online webpage mistakenly, in addition to I’m taken aback the reason this unique chance didn't was held ahead of time! I actually bookmarked the item.

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  13. Sully, I dont understand why you talk about non-lining things In a discussion of evolution. In Darwin's ground-breaking work, On the Origin of Species, he states that evolution can happen only at the moment of conception. He states that it is the selection and retention of genetic mutations, the vast majority of which are not selected for nor retained. Nowhere does he talk about people coming from rocks or space rocks or space ships. He's mostly talking about different populations of finches in the Galapagos... It's not a hard read.

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  14. Don't let the naysayers and the opinionated get you down, Butch. You know the old saying, "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one". Keep sharing what you know and think, I'll keep checking back. I also love hearing those stories about the Brothers, and especially Duane. I was only 16 when he passed away, but it's the first time I cried for someone that I didn't know. Congrats on the Lifetime Achievement award and the upcoming Beacon run. Oh, last but not least, I NEED MY MOOGIS, man, so I can be there with you, albeit from my living room!

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  15. Butch,

    Thanks again for such an informative and interesting blog! I'm 29 years old and would be what I guess one would call a second or even third generation fan of the ABB...my dad got me hooked on your music at an early age.

    As far as the dude who argues that you guys wouldn't be where you are if not for Lynyrd Skynyrd, he doesn't have a clue. Don't waste your time trying to defend the ABB on that one. We know better.

    Keep on rockin'!

    All the Best,

    Aaron Robertson

    A fan from Milwaukee

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  16. Just coincidence, but as I was reading this I was listening to Dr. Michio Kaku interview Carl Zimmer author of "Evolution The Triumph of an Idea"

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  17. Butch Thanks for posting again. Congrats on earning the lifetime achievement award. I hope you have a great Beacon run. Will their be any new music??

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  18. Good to see your cantankerous self back, Butch...and Happy New Year! I have never really understood the comparison between Skynrd and The Bros. They are barely in the same genre. I have seen both live and they are different experiences. The closest thing that ABB did to what Skynrd did was "Rambling Man", but that was one record. It seems like people lump the two together due to geography. It's like the Stones vs. Beatles thing. Aside from both being from England and emerging at the same time, they were both making very different music, at least in the early days. Still, everyone had to pit the two against each other, like sports teams. You were either a Stones fan or a Beatles fan, never mind that both groups were doing work of equal merit. I guess it's the same with Skynrd/ ABB. Anyway, again, good to see you back Butch. I'll look forward to reading your posts about this ridiculous election year that is unfolding.

    Brian

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  19. Butch,

    Thank you for speaking up for education, and knowledge for its own sake, as opposed to simply for the purpose of a degree or certificate for employment's sake alone. The latter example seems to be what much organized education is trending to, unfortunately.

    Also, nice to see a picture of William Shakespeare at the top. Ole' Will could use a boost this week, seeing that "The Tempest" was one of the books pulled from the classrooms in AZ recently. (I have to admit that it has been decades since I've personally read Shakespeare, but my nephew has been studying Julius Caesar recently.)

    I, too, look forward to hearing your commentary on the unfolding drama of our national dialogue leading to November. I've tried to use this space to engage in civil discourse, and I hope we can create a more civil society in which we can play music, dance, study, etc., without fear of war, famine, fear and pestilence.

    Congratulations on the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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  20. Picture of William Shakespeare? I thought it was you! :-)

    Enjoyed this post very much. Thank you.

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  21. I don't want to make you mad, but there is a lot of interest in seeing you, Gregg and Jaimoe on stage with Dickey accepting your award. I loved the Beacon shows on Moogis in 2009, but I would have enjoyed them more if Dickey had been on stage for even one song.

    Are you willing to share your thoughts about being onstage with Dickey on February 12?

    Sorry to be off topic, but I know next to nothing about evolution.
    Keep on blogging, please.

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  22. Butch, as for asking about you to discuss what you listen to, I enjoy hearing anyone who is passionate about music discuss music that he/she loves.
    I also enjoy hearing anyone who is intelligent offering insights about a piece of music that I might not have considered.
    For the same reason, I love to read what some good readers and thinkers have to say about Shakespeare's plays.

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  23. It's refreshing to hear others admit that they have other interests besides work. Knowledge is a hard thing to knock. Butch, keep on keeping on. A professor once told me something I have kept in memory for years. He said, "don't listen to, or hang out with people with less knowledge than you"- It was a crude statement, but there is some truth to it. We should all try to learn something new everyday. Life is learning.

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  24. Butch I think it's cool you will be learning about the eastern cultures and stuff and I'm hoping you will blog about some of the lectures and your opinion of them etc etc. I'm taking on learning Hebrew (then hopefully move onto the Greek) this year both the modern and ancient script I find it fascinating. for me though it's because I want a more in dept and truthful, accurate understanding of the Scriptures, the ancient people, The culture etc.(sick of all these ignorant religious people who twist and give false teachings etc.) here is a small example (excerpt)of something I read and learned this evening.....

    Idioms, word plays, history, cultural, and traditions get lost over time. For instance, we tend to picture a rooster crowing at the break of day when we read Matthew 26:34 when Jesus said, “. . . this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” However, at this point in history, the young man who stood outside the Temple and announced the time of prayer was called the cock, and his announcement was called crowing. This practice was so common that even the Romans called their town crier the cock and his announcements crowing.

    I also have to say a couple words about Evolution...(the Scriptures are not in conflict with the theory of evolution) I think its a howl(sad actually) when believers and non believers get into pissing matches over this issue.
    Congrad's on your life time achievement award

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  25. Butch, congratulations to you and the rest of the ABB family on the Grammy Lifetime Achievement. It's a testament to the timeless music enjoyed by multiple generations. By the way, I've seen you perform many times and you sir are a musical icon. The fact that you still pound those drums with the intensity that do is utterly amazing!!! You guys deserve the accolades for your musical achievements. Well deserved and hoping for many more years of enjoyment. Rock On!!!

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  26. Hmmmm…
    Just had an interesting after thought...
    I like the way that rhymes…
    “Cocking and Crowing & Rocking and Rolling”
    …throw in a little stomping and stamping, clapping and Dancing,…..Reminds of an Allman Brothers concert!!!...Rock On!!!

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  27. Then I suspect that in Roman times, when a person was rudely prevented from hearing the town crier's words, it was called "cock blocking."

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  28. Butch,
    what mic setup are you using on the DW kit picture ?
    Thanks in advance....

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  29. Butch when the Hell are the Allman Brothers going to bring out some new music,it has been way too long

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  30. I find your comment that music is the most powerful force for you when you are playing it to be very interesting. As a player myself, I guess I have experienced, but never intellectually differentiated between the act of playing and the act of listening. The two are completely different experiences, and I gather from your comment that simply listening to music doesn't get you off in quite the same way as playing does. Very interesting, and kind of cool.

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  31. As an amateur, in some ways I find that playing guitar dampened the pleasure of listening as I can't give the experience my full attention. I'm always trying to figure out how the guitarist is doing what he's doing, how it sits within or plays against the rest of the intstruments etc. Usually, if I push my way to the front of a stage it's not to get a better view of the band, it's to see what the guitarist's fingers are doing!

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  32. Newsflash: This is a blog. It is Butch's blog, with Butch's thoughts, opinions and points of view. If you agree, great. If you don't, just don't bother reading. It's that simple. It is not appropriate to trash the author. If you have a point of view that you want to express, get your own blog.

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  33. Hey Butch be nice to Dickey okay - there's a lot of water under the bridge and he came through for the band time and again - remember forgiveness is the power of the gods - and I hope you all do a lot of forgiving each other and forgiving yourselves - hate the behavior not the person - for the fans - we're a sentimental bunch.

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    1. So do I.

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    2. He tried to gain the naming rights through a lawsuit for the purpose of breaking up the band. He didn't want Derek in the group and he was a violent and abusive drunk. There is no way they're going to let him back in.

      Brian

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  34. The human capacity to care for others isn’t something trivial or something to be taken for granted. Rather, it is something we should cherish. Compassion is a marvel of human nature, a precious inner resource, and the foundation of our well-being and the harmony of our societies. If we seek happiness for ourselves, we should practice compassion: and if we seek happiness for others, we should also practice compassion

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  35. Thanks for the tip about the audio lecture series! Been looking for something like that for some time!

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  36. Hey Butch,

    Just wondering about your thoughts on a Duane Allman Anthology Vol III. I thought last year would have been a great year for something like that to celebrate what would have been Duane's 65th Birthday. There are so many great sessions that could be assembled together. Laura Nyro's 'Beads of Sweat' comes to mind. Duane's slide on 'Marley Purt Drive' by Lulu would be nice! One of his most subtle slide efforts, just a thing of beauty, was on Judy Mayhan's 'Everlovin' Ways'. Delaney & Bonnie's 'Sing My Way Home' from Motel Shot! The stuff with Doris Duke, Irma Thomas, Spencer Wiggins, Soul Survivors, etc. What are your thoughts? Obviously, some ABB and D&TD would be included just like Vols I & II. You guys keep his music, legacy and spirit alive everday through what you do (and you do it very well Butchie!). Just thought it would be a good way to celebrate the man 40 years on. I would love to produce a set like this but I bet the licensing and artist permissions would be tuff! Thanks for your 2 cents and BTW, don't filter yourself down on this blog or anywhere else. I, for one, appreciate your candor sir! Sometimes ya just gotta call it like you see it!

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  37. Hey Butch,

    One last thing on Duane. I posted a pic of him with the Dominos from a gig in Syracuse 1970. It's a pretty rare photo. Not sure if you've ever seen it or would like to. It's under the Media Gallery > On Stage > Duane Allman (even though it is a backstage shot). My profile on Hittin' the Note is Deanblue. You and I used to PM a bunch when I was producing a Live CD for Bobby Whitlock back in 2003. We even had Mr. Whitlock lined-up for a few gigs with you guys that summer thanks to Bert's graciousness, but alas, Bobby backed out. Anyway, thought you would like the pic of 'ol Skydog!

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  38. Maybe you should stop writing a blog if you don't like some of the comments. While the comments may make no sense, it seems that is the reason people post a blog to make statements and let people respond to them.

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  39. Hi, Butch. There is nothing quite as wonderful as being a curious soul! You mentioned you listen to university lectures, and it made me remember a wonderful book series. You may want to explore these treasures if you're a reader, at times. Here is a link for several of the books in the series >>> http://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/1847240089 I'm definitely gonna look up The Teaching Company. Take good care and the best to you and your loved ones from the ♥ of Texas.

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  40. What is going on with MOOGIS update on the MOOGIS site please.

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  41. I heard Moogis is dead. A lot of people say Butch screwed them on $ for last years wanee fest . I hope that is not true I would not think Butch would run business like that.

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  42. BUTCH...
    Congratulations on the award last night. To listen to you and to everyone give their thanks from their hearts was fantastic. I hung on every word. You all look so humbled and so happy. It was perfect in every way...
    Janine
    Long Island NY

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  43. Okay I have to say one more thing.. I spent the better part of last night complaining about way to many of the performers. I was upset that the academy could not make time for you guys to receive your award live. My husband pointed out to me that had the award been given live there would never have been enough time for each of you to give your acceptance speechs. For that I am grateful, and as usual my husband is right! :) So I stopped complaining..

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  44. Butch,
    Most heartfelt congratulations and honor to the original six for the life time achievement award.
    Truly the greatest band EVER. A shinning star for the ages.
    Peace, love and endurance to all the brothers, past and present.

    Ed DiCapua (Great Caesar's Ghost)

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  45. moogis is dead. no refunds, no moogis.

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  46. Butch,
    Don't know if you remember, but I am the smartassed Gator that you canoed with down the Swanee last year before the concerts. I am not much into the blogging thing, but for the benefit of those reading, Butch has a seasoned perspective on life, all inclusive. His storytelling and relatively humble perspective was thoroughly entertaining for hours.
    When I got to see your performances I was blown away. The intensity was unreal.
    Just hope I am lucky enough to run into you again some time and engage again.
    And for what it's worth, not finishing at FSU isn't a crime - don't imagine you missed much. Let me know when you are ready to finish that degree and I will meet you up in Gainesville for some true learning.....Go Gators.
    Looking forward to Waneefest this year,
    AJV

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  47. What's up with Moogis?????

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  48. Butch get your guys back in the studio where you belong and bring out another album.

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  49. Moogis where are you???

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  50. Perhaps you can shed some light on this issue. I've had the fortune of seeing the ABB at The Beacon for several years now. My girlfriend and I have been fairly lucky to watch you guys from the front row (right center orchestra) and look forward to this time of year. While the tickets haven't always been the cheapest at times, we were shocked and appalled to see insane prices that are currently posted on various ticket sites. Could someone explain to me $12000+ for front row seats? An average cost of $3000 for other orchestra seats?

    Based on this, we probably will miss you guys this year and given the prices we've seen - we really hope that you guys don't perform to a mass of empty front row seats.

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  51. I can answer that. It's capitalism. Nothing wrong with that. If someone can afford to pay $12000 and they think it's worth it, then that is what the seat is worth. I can afford that amount of money but I don't think it's worth it. I will pay less and sit back further and hear the same concert that the $12000 moron will hear.

    If you want to see the band this year, you should be able to get decently priced tickets. They just won't be front row. But you really don't need that to hear great music.

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  52. The best guitarist in recent memory and one that made the ABB sound is no longer a member because of your narrow minded ways. Hopefully evolution brings him back, wait that's not happening either.

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  53. For those of you that appreciate not only the Brothers, but the genre ........Waneefest in Florida. Last year Robert Plant, this year what's good about the Greatful Dead (rip Jerry, et all) - Ray Manzaric (forgive the spelling), Greg's son Damon, Bonerama (trombones that sound like Hendrix guitar & Zep)----needless to say, Butch lays it on the line.

    Three days to forget about $, politix, family issues, death, destruction......

    Tell them, Butch.........see you all on the Swanee River

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  54. Derek Trucks must of have been on the TWO current "brothers" to call Dickey the night of the grammy awards. Derek again talked about the Blue Sky solo Dickey played right before his was voted of the band that was the most amazing solo he has ever heard & "I wish they would just bury the hatchet".

    I think Butch here would be the last one to do that but I'm also now thinking Dickey wouldn't do it either. Gregg said in an interview just a bit over a year ago he thought Dickey would call him when he was in the hospital having the liver transplant but so far not a word.

    It is odd that when such an interesting & inspiring past that went on for decades, Dickey & Butch have NO interest in even being in the same room together. That is too bad. Life is so short for people who played together & recorded together so well for so many years to be like that. Kind of like people who were once married and now can't stand each other. Well that is the way it is in some families.

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    1. People who want Dickey back forget that he TRIED TO DESTROY THE BAND! He filed a lawsuit to try to get the rights to the name. When he filed that lawsuit he filed it against the band itself. That means that if he had won that lawsuit (which he might actually have because he was in the band before Gregg was), he would have either gone out on the road with an entirely new Allman Brothers Band lineup, sans Gregg, or he would have pocketed the naming rights and killed the group. It was such a scorched earth move on Dickey's part that it's hard to realistically see any kind of reconciliation occuring there.

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  55. Butch
    Why did you and Marc switch places on stage? Curious.

    janine/long island ny

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  56. That's just awesome Butch and Happy New Year!! (as winter ends) Just popped in to see what political thoughts you are sharing "these days." It's a pickle I tell ya, and surprising to see so much crap concerning contraceptives. Rush Limbough has finally stuck his foot too far in his mouth to recover. Sarah Palin is honestly portrayed in "Game Change," thank you Steve Schmidt. 40 year old ALEC is now identified as the council name responsible for corporate conservative legislation headed by the 1%. I was just wondering if any of this is bugging you. It's bugging me!! I just saw where Tedeschi & Trucks are playing Merle Fest. They are playing all around me but I'm missing all the shows...bummer. I got my boat fixed so bring on Spring!!

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    1. Obama is driving the country into the ground and all you can complain about are conservatives who are not part of the electoral process. Rush Limbaugh may have stuck his foot in his mouth but you have your head stuck up your ass.

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  57. Obama is actually a very large Vanilla Wafer that believes that extra terrestrials are running the world. That makes just as much sense as "Obama is driving the country into the ground" but I do, as do you, have the right to say it. When you actually check those stubborn little things called FACTS you see things a bit differently. When Obama took office the US was losing in the 750,000 jobs per month range. The DOW was below 6K and the GDP was dropping about 3% a month. Within a few months the private sector every month has gained jobs. over 3 1/5 million so far and we're gaining momentum. The Dow is at 13K and GDP has grown steadily every single month. Please try and give some credibility to your statement "Obama is driving the country into the ground." Like I said you have every right to say that but what does it mean? The facts says just the opposite. Didn't even get into what he did for the automotive industry. Another FACT. I get the feeling that you get your talking points from Fox. Is that another fact? I am fairly certain that I do know who's head is up who's ass and you got it backwards. Facts, like I say are stubborn things. With jobs picking up and the economy starting to turn around the GOP has decided that unlike their stance when gas shot up under Bush and Fox and crew's line was "the president has no control over gas prices" (if you don't believe me just watch the videos, Kinda like facts, stubborn things that don't change every time we want them to) Somehow, although fossil fuel production in the US is up 360% under Obama (fact) and we are importing far lass oil than we did under Bush (fact), it's Obama's fault that gas prices are rising. It's not just Limbaugh that's spouting this garbage. This is currently the main GOP talking point. I can just surmise that with the economy on the rise they have nothing else to say. Please, I do not mind in the least people coming here with different opinions. I would, however, like for the dialogue to be on a higher level than "you have your head stuck up your ass." If that's the best you got you are not hurting me in the least. I would suggest that you are making yourself look bad. That's the level of conversation I used to hear around the gas station in Julliet, Georgia.

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    1. So you're a financial expert now? The GDP and the DOW are not the only measures of the economy. Try looking at the DOW in terms of gold, not dollars. When they print dollars the value of the dollar drops. Anything priced in dollars goes up, including stocks and indices like the DOW and measures like GDP. By the way, government spending is also included in GDP (Gee, I wonder if anyone in government has been spending money.) If you want a simple economic indicator just look at the price of gas and the cost of food. Those two things alone will bring this economy to it's knees. Those oil production stats are bogus also. Any increase was due to projects initiated prior to Obama coming to the WH. This country has an opportunity to be independent of Middle East oil yet Democrats have been fighting that for decades. They also claim that increased drilling will not bring down prices. Yeah, they said that too when they blocked drilling in ANWR back during Clinton's terms.

      And please stop it with the "FACT" BS. You're acting like an arrogant fool. You're not always correct. And as far as the "head stuck up your ass" comment, I find it a bit annoying that people come to this site not to discuss what you like to discuss in an intelligent manner but instead to kiss your butt because you're a celebrity. And they'll say anything they think will please you whether they believe it or not.

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    2. It's not Julliet. It's Juliette, Georgia (FACT) Exactly what is your issue with people in Juliette? Are you making a gross generalization about people who live in or near Juliette? Yes...FACT. That's very close to biting the hand that fed you so long ago. All you're doing is confirming you truly are an ignorant pompous ass.

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  58. Butch, Nice to see you're back.

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  59. FACT Obama is driving the Country into the ground
    March 19, 2012 6:55 PM


    National Debt has increased more under Obama than under Bush
    By Mark Knoller


    (CBS News) The National Debt has now increased more during President Obama's three years and two months in office than it did during 8 years of the George W. Bush presidency.


    The Debt rose $4.899 trillion during the two terms of the Bush presidency. It has now gone up $4.939 trillion since President Obama took office.


    The latest posting from the Bureau of Public Debt at the Treasury Department shows the National Debt now stands at $15.566 trillion. It was $10.626 trillion on President Bush's last day in office, which coincided with President Obama's first day.


    The National Debt also now exceeds 100% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product, the total value of goods and services.


    Mr. Obama has been quick to blame his predecessor for the soaring Debt, saying Mr. Bush paid for two wars and a Medicare prescription drug program with borrowed funds.


    The federal budget sent to Congress last month by Mr. Obama, projects the National Debt will continue to rise as far as the eye can see. The budget shows the Debt hitting $16.3 trillion in 2012, $17.5 trillion in 2013 and $25.9 trillion in 2022.


    Federal budget records show the National Debt once topped 121% of GDP at the end of World War II. The Debt that year, 1946, was, by today's standards, a mere $270 billion dollars.


    Mr. Obama doesn't mention the National Debt much, though he does want to be seen trying to reduce the annual budget deficit, though it's topped a trillion dollars for four years now.


    As part of his "Win the Future" program, Mr. Obama called for "taking responsibility for our deficits, by cutting wasteful, excessive spending wherever we find it."


    His latest budget projects a $1.3 trillion deficit this year declining to $901 billion in 2012, and then annual deficits in the range of $500 billion to $700 billion in the 10 years to come.


    If Mr. Obama wins re-election, and his budget projections prove accurate, the National Debt will top $20 trillion in 2016, the final year of his second term. That would mean the Debt increased by 87 percent, or $9.34 trillion, during his two terms.

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  60. FACT; Butch has the right to express his opinions on his blog.

    FACT; We, the readers of his blog, have a right to disagree with his opinions.

    FACT; There will always be those who work hard to achieve success, earn what they have and support the system.

    FACT; There will always be those who ride on the backs of others doing the hard work to get what they can and milk the system.

    FACT; We will all eventually die and none of it will matter....

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    1. Butch, our political views are as farapart as the east is from the west, I think that's what makes this country great. As for the music, there is none better than the Allman Brothers. I can't tell you how many times I've heard Y'all play, dozens at least. But I do remember the first time. It was between the death on Duane and Berry. It was early in 72,Greenville NC East Carolina University. That was in the days of afternoon concerts, Ithink it was a Sunday around 2 O clock. I t was alsohe days of festival seating. Man I'm glad That's not the case now. We arrived early that morning , camped out at the front door,so we could get a good seat. The tickets were 2.50. That wasn't even much money back then. Of course, all eyes were on Dickie to see how he handled being the only Guitar player. I must say, He burnt it up that afternoon. I know he has some personality issues but it would be graet to see him at least sit in, alone, once in a while. In closing, I will say that the comments of Ed King Was totally self severing on his part. Every Album I've heard that Tom Dowd was involved in was great. He, with out a dought, set the stanard for others to follow. I'm sure you miss him Greatly.
      I look forward to seeing you at Wanee.

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  61. I love all the Allman Bros albums,including Reach for the sky and Brothers of the road which people tend to say are the weakest of their discography. Can't wait to watch the Bros this summer (hartford,CT??) You guys just came off a hell of a Beacon run once again. Hope Gregg continues to get better. Just got done watching the 12/03/11 show at Boston on you tube...fucking Epic!! had to order it I loved it so much. Butch if you read this..Their is a lot of people on the ABB fan forum that want to know if we will see another album from you guys. If not a studio effort how about a live cd of new material as you have suggested before. I can hear snippets of new jams in lots of songs you play live like Rockin horse,No 1 2 run with,done somebody wrong and the 2 newer instumentals Egypt + Bag End,along with Blind willie Mctell would be a hell of a start .

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  62. Hey Butch, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the recent Beacon run.

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  63. Methinks Butch has left the building.

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  64. Butch, Oh Butch....Wherefore art thou Oh Butch?!?!?....
    Please don't say the heat in your own kitchen got too hot!!
    C'mon brotha, talk to us!!!....Even if we don't all agree with everything you expound upon, it's still good to hear from you now and again...Give us your opinion on something!!

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  65. Interesting discussion going on in here. I was looking for food trucks but I got stumbled upon this site but who cares, I'm loving it here. Might be following this any time again soon. car refinancing

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  66. Butch, you such a kick-ass drummer I was wondering about your interest in side projects. I can't find any references of other work you've done beyond the ABB, have you ever entertained anything like a jazz trio or some such thing??? thanks.. tom, also known as wingfat, GR Mi..

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  67. Butch, looking forward to your next post!

    Best,

    Aaron Robertson, an ABB fan in the Milwaukee area

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  68. Wanee was wonderful. First year for me, but I'll be back.

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  69. Butch are you out their?? Butch I hope you continue with the Brothers.

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  70. Thoughts on the Beacon run?

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  71. Come on Butch, let's see a post about Gregs boook. Joe D

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  72. Hey butch, your blog is really well written and i think your great. don't mind these crazy people posting insane things in the comments section. they are what the internet calls trolls and they will flock anywhere they can find to try and spread their crazy. thanks for the beacon run this year, i really enjoyed the show i caught and i hope to see you this summer.

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  73. Yay, tour dates! See you at Merriweather Post (site of my first ABB concert in 1991,I'm still recovering from it)!

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  74. Butch, I go back to 1971 with the ABB, and I have to say, only in the last few years have I paid attention to reading blurbs and interviews about the band, by band members, etc. instead of just the MUSIC. And i have to say, you are one grumpy MF'er. I have not doubt that alot of the bad internal blood within the family thru the recent years comes from your corner. So maybe you should skip the blog, STFU and just stick with the MUSIC, that's all most of us care about in our little lives..... And by the way, the band would have no problem moving along without Butch the same way it has had no problem moving along without Dickey. Just keeping it real......

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  75. I can't fathom that there are 88 comments on this original post with maybe 2 from Butch. Just shut it down Butch..Seriously. You started it and now have no interest in following it thru.

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  76. Two shows WITH Lynyrd Skynyrd - oh my god after some of Butch's posts - now thats funny! Keep your sense of humor :D

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  77. "The dogs bark, and the caravan moves on"...

    Despite all the barkin', I hope Mr. Trucks has not moved on. I'll keep checking back.

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  78. NEXT FEW WEEKS ITS ALMOST JUNE atleast own up to your failures.

    The Allman Brothers Band will not be webcasting their annual Beacon Run this year. But Moogis would like to ease the pain for loyal subscribers. Instead of having the Moogis Archives expire at Midnight tonight (February 29), we would like to extend your current subscription for an additional month. We will communicate with you in the next few weeks to give you information about upcoming plans for Moogis. In the meantime, enjoy some of the great performances that Moogis has captured

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  79. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Could you possibly come up with a dumber question? What a moron. Lay off the booze and use your brain for what it is meant for.

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  80. Starting a political commentary blog to champion one of the most devisive presidential administrations in U.S. history methinks was a no win idea Butch....So it's understandable why you disappeared on this mess....It's never gonna be a "constructive" conversation....But we'd still love and probably would rather hear from you about your ABB experiences, stories, recollections, opinions on music, art, etc, etc....Any possibility of dropping the politics and returning to this blog in that mode???

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  81. Trolls can go away if you don't like Butch's politics. This is his blog to post whatever he wants. I love the ABB's music and agree wholeheartedly with Butch's political views. You don't have to follow his blog if you're a fan of the music but feel compelled to attack him for his opinions. Perhaps the righties should here should see if Ted Nugent has a blog..

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    1. It's not a blog if he doesn't post anything.

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    2. Our IDIOT an Chief was at it again last night in the media...Blaming G.W.B. for our financial crisis.... I don't understand why these people can't see or admit that the problem (much of it anyway...{aside from greed}) was/is the result of the cowards in Washington being afraid to stand up to the pressure from the banks. the real problem began under the Clinton Administration with the repeal of The Glass-Steagall Act....

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    3. Debt gave the Federal Reserve bankers power over us. Funding 10 year wars alone will bankrupt a country. Afganistan bankrupted the Soviet Union... and we allowed ourselves to fall into the same trap of debt. Bankers LOVE debt => control!

      Our country has evolved from a Plutocracy to an Oligarchy. Without campaign finance reform, our government has always been controlled by the highest bidder.

      Whoever owns the gold (debt) make the rules or controls the government. The majority of the Treasury debt is bought by the Federal Reserve private bankers. Welcome to Oligarchy. The Loan Sharks have won their one world financial system and control behind BOTH parties.

      In actual reality there are two parties: owners(1%) and the rest of us. The conservative and liberal labels are just media illusions and not reality of the political situation.

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  82. Mr. Trucks, It's a great honor to me to adress to you!
    I would like to put Jaimoe's Jasss Band's Renaissance Man besides the solo records of Mr. Allman, Mr. Haynes and Mr. D. Trucks. In fact, Jaimoe's record is one of my favorites, and I don't understand why it wasn't remembered at the Grammy Awards with the other's members solo records.
    I dream about a solo record of yourself, Mr. Trucks, maybe playing Jazz... I know you don't see any advantage, today, to record, but I still have this dream.
    Thank you for your music! Regards from a brazilian fan (sorry for my English)
    Gabriel

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  83. Well.. scientifically evolution is a theory.. although an almost certainly correct one.

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    1. What came first the chicken or the egg?
      I guess the egg evolved all by itself?

      The problem with science is that it cannot even acknowledge or explain the components of life. Life is a combination of matter and spirit. Science can explain the physical elements of a living cell but not the spirit that powers it.

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  84. In my opinion, evolution has a lot of holes and issues it cannot prove. I bet creationism is the best theory. Anyway, I respect believers of evolution, that is their right.

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  85. Butch, I like the blog. You seem to stir things up in a good way. Everybody needs to think regardless of what side of the fence they are on politically. I want to read more comments and posts of yours and others before jumping too deep into the political arena here. I got the jist that you don't like people asking you what music you are listening too, so I'll mention one that I've listened too lately. Alan Parsons Project- Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Makes you want to read Poe if you haven't in a while. Reading wise, Gregg's new book is good. About 2/3's finished and enjoying it all. Saw ya'll this summer in Raleigh and it was worth the 500 mile drive from Nashville. First show I'd seen in about 10 years. Did see Gregg and Jaimoe at the Ryman back in January. Awesome show. Not sure who did the singing for Jaimoe, but their version of Wichita Lineman was killer. Sort of wanting to stir up a subject dear to my heart, The Andy Griffith Show. The year 2012 hit Mayberry hard. Andy Griffith himself, George "Goober" Lindsey, and Doug Dillard passed away within months of each other. None of the three were lost during their prime, but they were all talented men. I'm not ignoring the political debate of today or should I say tonight? The debate is tonight. Did you ever cross paths with any or all of those 3 brothers? Even in Mayberry, people like to gossip.

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  86. Butch, I am new to seeing your blog but a long time ABB fan was there the night of the bomb scare at the Filmore East when the band was recording the live album. I play harp and have played for a long time in different bands and jams and as much fun as that is it doesn't mean that is my only interest. I think it is extremely cool that your interest are not confined to music alone. We as humans all need to follow whatever interests that inspire us. I have also tried to expand my limited experience through reading and education. What I've learned in my 62 years on this planet is that some people just don't know what they don't know and there is nothing to be done to change that.

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