At nearly 70 years of age, with health issues and addictions in his rearview mirror, Gregg Allman is continuing on at a hectic pace.







Between releasing a live album last year, touring over the winter, and recording a new studio album in March at Muscle Shoals, the American rock icon is showing no signs of slowing down.







Allman will be making a stop Tuesday, the third show of his current tour, at the Carnegie Library Music Hall in Munhall.







Allman recently took time out of his recording in Muscle Shoals to answer a few questions for The Swerve Magazine.









The Swerve Magazine: How did you settle on which tracks to record for this album?





Gregg Allman: Now, I’m not going to give too much away, but we’ve got a nice collection of new songs and some covers



that are pretty neat, (and) obscure songs that I just love.We put our stamp on ‘em and they fit the vibe of Muscle Shoals, so I couldn’t be happier. I did some writing with Scott Sharrard, my guitar player, and that went really well. I’ve got a little vocal work left to do, and it looks like the album should be out by early next year.







SM: How was it recording at Muscle Shoals? It must have a special place in your heart.







GA: It does. Muscle Shoals has so many memories for me. When (brother, Duane and I) were in Hour Glass we recorded that B.B. King medley there, and that was some smokin’ stuff. My brother really made his mark there, cutting all those songs with Clarence Carter, Wilson Pickett, and King Curtis. All these years later, it was great to go back there and to see Rick Hall (owner of FAME studios in Muscle Shoals), who’s still going strong.







SM: How was it working with Don Was, the legendary producer, who has been working with you on this new album?







GA: (It) couldn’t have gone better, man. Don is a pro who has worked with everyone who is anyone, from the Stones to Bonnie Raitt. Don was the musical director for the “All My Friends” tribute show we did a few years back, and we really hit it off then.



The best thing about Don is he’s so easy to communicate with, and communication is the key when you’re in the studio. I got to work with my road band in the studio for the first time in about 30 years, and it was one of the greatest recording experiences I’ve ever had, hands down, bar none.







SM: How are you doing, physically? With your new lifestyle, do you have more energy to keeping recording and touring?







GA: Right now, I have the energy of 10 men! I haven’t felt this good in years. Every day is a blessing from God, and I’m living my life to the fullest.







SM: There certainly isn't any rest for the weary with you this year as you got the album, tour with your band, the Laid Back Festivals, and ZZ Top tour later this year.







GA: It’s gonna to be a very busy year indeed, and I’m excited about it, man. The first Laid Back Festival went so well last year that we’ve expanded it to five cities - Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago, Jones Beach on Long Island and Red Rocks, out in Denver.







Yeah, ZZ Top, Richie Furay, Blackberry Smoke and Peter Frampton will be joining us in different cities, and we’ve got a few other dates with Peter as well. My dear, dear friend Jaimoe and his band (Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band) will be out with us, too, so it’s gonna be a full summer; overall, we’ve got about 35 or so shows booked, all across the country.







SM: Your current band seems to bring a new energy, if you will, into Allman Brothers Band songs and some of your solo stuff. How did this current lineup fall into place?







GA: I’ve got a kick-ass band; it took me about eight years to put it together, but it’s one of the best lineups I’ve ever shared a stage with. The “old timers” of the group are Scott Sharrard, Jay Collins on sax and Steve Potts on drums; they’ve been with me for a while now. The “newer” guys are Peter Levin, who has played keyboards for Aaron Neville and Levon Helm, and Ron Johnson on bass, who has played with Warren Haynes and Karl Denson. The fans know percussionist Marc Quinones from his time in the Brothers, and about two years ago Art Edmaiston and Marc Franklin, who both played with Bobby “Blue” Bland, joined Jay to give us a killer horn trio.







We play with a serious groove, man. I just try to keep up with these guys!







SM: There were some rumblings last year about a possible reunion somewhere down the road with Dickey Betts. Has anything further come out of the talks? Do you envision an Allman Brothers Band tour again?







GA: Do we have any plans? No, we don’t, and I’m very happy doing what I’m doing, but I know some of the other guys would like to do something at some point. I learned a long time ago that when it comes to the Brothers, never say never, man.

