CMT Music Awards Opens With Gregg Allman Tribute

The influence of legendary musician Gregg Allman went beyond just the rock world. Last night many luminaries from the country music community came together for the CMT Music Awards in Nashville. The ceremony opened with a tribute to Allman, who died on May 27 due to complications of liver cancer.

The tribute and ceremony opened with Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean and Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum) gathered around a single microphone to sing the beginning of “Midnight Rider” a capella. Jason then said, “this is for the one and only Gregg Allman” at which point a full band featuring Allman Brothers Band guitarist Derek Trucks kicked into the song.

The three vocalists traded lines throughout, but it was Derek Trucks who stole the show with his sizzling slide guitar work on what appeared to be Duane Allman’s Goldtop Les Paul. Aldean’s backing band did a fine job as the musicians paid their respects to Gregg Allman. The Allman Brothers Band recorded “Midnight Rider” for their second studio album, 1970’s Idlewild South. Gregg wrote the song with the help of roadie Robert Kim Payne.

Watch the “Midnight Rider” from last night’s CMT Music Awards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljNQ1A5kp30