Michael
Allman
 
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Michael Allman is the eldest son of Southern Rock Legend Gregg Allman. That doesn't mean that his musical path has been paved with gold.
Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, he led the “Michael Allman Band” throughout most of the 1990's before he traded it in for the serenity
of domestic life. It was during this period that he
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faced his greatest obstacle, testicular cancer in 2002. After a full recovery, Michael decided to give music another attempt and in
mid 2007 began singing and writing again.
In 2008 he started recording his debut
CD. During that year he kept busy while working on his CD, by making over 100 guest appearances with many different bands and musicians
from coast to coast. In January 2009 he formed the “Allman-Tyler Band” w/ guitarist Tony Tyler. After the Spring 2009 ATB tour, he went
back to work on his debut CD. In the Fall of 2009, he completed and released “Michael Allman’s Hard Labor Creek” on his own All-Skinn
Music Group label. With an almost ghostly likeness to his father, his world-weary voice and sheer power of the music seeps into your
soul and you realize this is the real thing. Allman is planning a Spring 2010 U.S. Tour to support the CD with songs like “Circus Full
of Clowns”, “If Dreams Were Money” and the unique “ Mule Named Whiskey” that will make everyone, young and old want to dance.
The first thing that hits you is the voice, worn around the edges and full of the heartbreak that comes with life and love. His
world-weary vocals bringing up inevitable comparisons to his famous father, the sheer power of the music seeps into your soul. If
Michael’s evocative singing was the only attraction on Michael Allman’s Hard Labor Creek, it would still be worth hearing, but there
is a lot more going on than that. Some of the most gifted musicians in Georgia, from young slide guitar phenom Tony Tyler to Motown
alumnus and keyboard legend Ike Stubblefield, contribute to the overall sound of this remarkable record. Tyler’s slide and keyboard
work are an essential part of the sound of Hard Labor Creek, adding just the right touch without overpowering the song. Stubblefield
kicks serious butt here, showing why he is a first-call session player, and his production conrtibution is one reason this CD sounds
so darn good. Soulful backing vocals by Atlanta local favorite Diane Durrett and percussion from Derek Trucks Band drummer Yonrico
Scott flesh out the songs. The one and only Col. Bruce Hampton also makes a memorable cameo appearance. While Michael Allman’s Hard
Labor Creek stands on its own merits, he isn’t ashamed of his heritage, and there are several references to his famous father.
“Laid Back” written by Sonny Tackett, was inspired by Gregg’s classic album of the same name. “If Dreams Were Money” was actually
written for Gregg years ago by veteran Boston musician Bruce Marshall.
Still, the spotlight is firmly on Michael, who wrote four of the songs on the CD, and delivers each tune with the kind of thoughtful approach that squeezes the inner meaning out of every word. The lyrics in songs like “Running Alone Again”, “It Ain’t Me” and “Circus Full of Clowns” address universal topics like love and loss in a way that any listener can relate to.
For information and to check out Michael’s latest work visit www.michaelallmanband.com
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