Allman Brothers Band guitarist and "Ramblin' Man" singer-songwriter underwent brain surgery today in his hometown

SARASOTA — Dickey Betts is recovering now close to home following brain surgery.

"Dickey Betts and his family want everyone to know that his surgery was a success," said a statement sent to the Herald-Tribune by manager David Spero on Friday. "The outpouring of support from all over the world has been overwhelming and amazing. We are so appreciative. Thank you all so much for your wonderful thoughts and prayers. We will keep you updated."

Earlier Friday, Spero explained details would follow and told the Herald-Tribune:

"Hey Dickey fans, your thoughts and prayers helped make this surgery a success."

As was first reported Wednesday, the 74-year-old "Ramblin' Man" singer-songwriter and founding Allman Brothers Band guitarist slipped and cracked his head earlier this week, causing bleeding in his brain, while playing with the family dog in his backyard on Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey.

Spero said earlier this week that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was listed “in critical but stable condition.”

Brain surgery, to relieve swelling, took place Friday morning.

Betts' wife, Donna, was by her husband's side on Friday with Dickey's children.

"The family appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers during this very trying time,” Donna said Wednesday. “Dickey is a notorious fighter and he is displaying that now.”

Dickey's oldest child, Kimberly, is a country singer who lives in Manatee County, where the Betts family has ties that date back to shortly after the Civil War.

Dickey's only son, Duane, who plays lead guitar in his dad's Dickey Betts Band, recently finished a tour of Europe with the Devon Allman Project.

The new Dickey Betts Band debuted in May with a local "live rehearsal show" at Sarasota's White Buffalo Saloon. The Dickey Betts Band has been touring the East Coast through the summer, earning positive reviews in publications such as Rolling Stone.

Last month, Betts suffered a mild stroke at his Sarasota home and had to cancel upcoming tour dates. A week later, Spero announced Betts was responding "very well to treatment" and on Sept. 14 posted to Betts' social media pages that, "Dickey Betts is raring to go. His recovery from his minor stroke is ahead of schedule and he has already started playing his guitar again." Then came what was called a "freak accident" leading to Betts' current hospitalization.

Tens of thousands of people from around the world have sent prayers and thoughts Betts' way this week using Facebook and other social media sites. Rolling Stone, Billboard and People are among the numerous publications to run stories, with the news circulating internationally via the Associated Press.

In Sarasota, Betts has been surrounded by family and close friends, many who have played in his bands for years.

"He’s the strongest man I know and showing signs of improvement," Frankie Lombardi, who has been a drummer and vocalist in Betts' bands since 2000, told the Herald-Tribune on Thursday, a few hours after visiting the legendary musician at the hospital.