Doobie Brothers Team With Gregg Allman At Laid Back Festival

Nikon at Jones Beach Theater hosted the first-ever Laid Back Fest on Saturday curated by Gregg Allman. The event’s performers played sets on the main “Laid Back Stage” as well as the smaller “Low Country Stage.” Laid Back Fest came to a close with a collaboration between classic rock legends as Gregg invited members of the Doobie Brothers to sit-in with his band at the Wantagh, New York venue.

Co-founding The Allman Brothers Band member Jaimoe opened the festivities with his Jasssz Band on the Low Country Stage before New York Yankees great Bernie Williams showed off his guitar skills to kick off the action on the Laid Back Stage. Former American Idol contestant Lara Johnston, who happens to be the daughter of Doobie Brothers’ guitarist Tom Johnston, played a short set on the Low Country Stage leading into an hour-long performance by Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers. Hornsby’s set featured plenty of his most- beloved hits including “Valley Road,” “Mandolin Rain,” “Rainbow’s Cadillac” and “Country Doctor.”

Over on the Low Country Stage City Of The Sun kept festivalgoers entertained while the Laid Back Stage was set for the Doobie Brothers. The Doobies focused on songs from the pre and post Michael McDonald eras of the band such as “China Grove” and “Long Train Running” with the exception of “Takin’ It To The Streets” which Pat Simmons sang. A 30-minute Ruthie Collins performance kept the music flowing through to Allman’s headlining set. Gregg showed off his versatile solo band which has been winning raves over the past year. Allman treated fans to plenty of classics throughout his performance with “Melissa,” “Statesboro Blues” and “Don’t Want You No More/It’s Not My Cross To Bear” among those receiving the biggest reaction. Gregg’s big band was expanded by two when Simmons and Johnston emerged to help end the evening on “One Way Out.”

Watch footage of “One Way Out” featuring members of The Doobie Brothers joining the Gregg Allman Band captured by Sean Roche: