Interview | Butch Trucks Talks Wanee, Allmans & More
By Scott Bernstein Mar 23, 2015 • 9:10 am PDT
2014 was the last year The Allman Brothers Band headlined the Wanee Music Festival at the Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park in Live Oak Florida. Since that time the legendary band closed the door on a historic 45 year career, performing their final show at the Beacon Theatre in October 2014. Founding ABB member, drummer Butch Trucks, will appear with his band –billed as Butch Trucks & Very Special Friends –at the 2015 Wanee Music Festival taking place April 16 –18.
Trucks’ group is one of several bands affiliated with The Allman Brothers Band slated for the festival, with Greg Allman, Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule and Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band also on the bill. In an interview with JamBase, Trucks discussed a March with no Beacon shows, the formation and future of The Allman Brothers Band, the Roots Rock Revival music teaching camp and all things Wanee.
Scott Horowitz: How do you feel about Wanee Music Festival?
Butch Trucks: One of the best feelings I’ve ever had was the second or third year when we had around 15,000-16,000 people attend. I don’t know if you know it or not, but, Wanee was my idea.
Ten years ago I knew the day was coming when Derek [Trucks] and Warren [Haynes], Derek especially, would take off on their own. So, i figured what the hell, instead of doing long tours, why not just do three or four festivals. So, I brought it up and we started talking about it. But when Dickey [Betts] was in the band he said he ain’t doing it because if was my idea, Dickey wouldn’t do it. Jon Stoll from Fantasma productions showed me this place that was set up to do bluegrass festivals called The Spirit of The Suwannee.
So that second or third year, just to walk up there and look around at it, I just felt this huge burst of pride that just felt so good. You know, like “Butch, you did this!” and it was a pretty cool feeling. A really cool feeling!
Scott Horowitz: Where does the Spirit of The Suwannee rank with you as far as it being a favorite place to play?
Butch Trucks: I’ll say playing at the Beacon is my favorite place to play. We got it down to a science as far as how to make every seat in the house have the best sound. It reminds me of the Fillmore. But, as far as just a place to be for three days and listen to music for three days, the Spirit of The Suwannee is definitely my favorite. I mean what a venue. Jesus. And I love that mushroom stage. Its such a great place and is where my band will be playing on Saturday afternoon at Wanee.
Scott Horowitz: Tell us more about the Very Special Friends performing with you at Wanee this year.
Butch Trucks: I’m rounding up some friends. Oteil Burbridge, my son Vaylor Trucks, and Oteil is bringing down a guitar player from Wanee who is really really killer. I don’t know his name. Oteil just says “Hey, I got a guy and am bringing with me, and trust me he’ll knock your socks off.” I know enough about Oteil to know if he says it is so, then it is usually so. It should be a really nice jam. Bruce Katz is going to play keyboards with us. Marc Quinones on percussion. And i’m working hard on getting an old friend of mine who is a singer, Jimmy Hall. If I don’t get Jimmy there then we’ll have 90 minutes of jamming and maybe Oteil will sing, but if I do get Jimmy there then it will be a full band with all the singing and everything else. Either way it will be fun as hell with that lineup and it should be pretty damn good.
Scott Horowitz: Is it weird for you with it being March and not having plans to be in New York City for gigs at the Beacon?
Butch Trucks: Yeah, you know, I do miss it. The Beacon has become my favorite venue to play. But, it is what it is, and all things do eventually come to an end. As of today it has come to an end but as far as what happens in the future, God only knows, and he’s got doubts.
Scott Horowitz: And now that the end was announced with that final Beacon run last year, looking back on it all, is it a pretty picture in the rear view mirror?
Butch Trucks I don’t know. All I can say is shoot, 45 years with The Allman Brothers, 25 years at the Beacon, Jesus Christ, I’ve been pretty damn lucky. It’s been a real good run and it ain’t over for me yet. That last show we played lasted six hours and felt like a half an hour, and maybe was the strongest set I’ve ever played in my life –and i’m 67 years old. I’m not hanging ’em up yet, I’ve got five or six irons in the fire now so we’ll see which one heats up first. We shall see.
Scott Horowitz: I know you’re proud of your involvement with the Roots Rock Revival Experience, which features artists like Luther and Cody Dickinson, who are performing with The Word at Wanee this year.
Butch Trucks: It’s in the Catskills and is a great time. We have great players that are great teachers. Cody Dickinson really kind of blows me away. He makes me feel a little bit humble, and humility is not one of my great assets. And Luther Dickinson has such a passion for music and teaching –he’s amazing. And because of guys like that kids who come to the camp leave knowing a whole lot more than they knew when they got there. Anybody who wants to check it out should go to RootsRockRevival.com, sign up, and get their asses up there. They will not regret it.
Scott Horowitz: Many people will fly into Jacksonville on their way to Wanee, and that’s a place where The Allman Brothers began connecting the dots for itself. What are highlights in your memory from that time spent in Jacksonville?
Butch Trucks: Oh, shit, every moment of every day was a highlight of my memory. I mean Jesus Christ, the first time i played with Jaimoe it was like the day you meet your wife. I’ve never played before or since with another drummer I could play with like that. It was all just amazing, and continues to be so. But back then Jacksonville was nothing but insurance salesmen, poor people, and the Navy and that was about it. So, when Duane said we’re packing it up and heading to Macon, I was fine with that.
Scott Horowitz: I’ve noticed you wearing a Barcelona FC jersey on stage before. How do you like the team’s chances to go all the way in their current UEFA champions league run?
Butch Trucks: I don’t know. I only wear their jersey because it looks cool. I wore it for quite a long time before I even knew what it was. And it also dries real fast so that way I can wear it three or four gigs and not have to carry so much luggage on the road.
This year’s Wanee Music Festival will feature performances from the likes of Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule, Gregg Allman, The Word, Hot Tuna, Galactic and dozens more including, of course, Butch Trucks & Very Special Friends. Tickets for Wanee are on sale now here.
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