Duane Betts joined me on Father’s Day to talk about his new album, “Wild and Precious Life” along with his local Iron Horse show on July 17. We began by talking about his father’s musical legacy and if it was on balance; a burden or a blessing. We took a journey with Duane through some of his previous projects such as Backbone 69, White Star, Brethren of the Coast, Jamtown, Dawes and his Dad’s band, Great Southern. He has most recently been touring with the Allman Betts Band and now his solo tour coming to Northampton Massachusetts.

Duane filled us in on the writing of this latest batch of songs resulting in “Wild and Precious Life”. They were written in Dickie Betts basement studio while they lived in the guesthouse nicknamed the Palmetto Hotel. While Dickie’s health was failing at the time, he heard the process coming together as the songs worked themselves out. Duane works closely with Stoll Vaughan as a co-writer as well as Johnny Stachela who plays guitar on the latest work. Once written, Duane was offered the use of Swamp Raga; the studio of Ssusan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks in nearby Jacksonville. Derek even offered some insight into Dickie Betts character resulting in the song, “Stare Into the Sun” which Trucks plays guitar on as well. Topics like guitar harmony, sobriety, impact of Dickie’s legacy and guitars.

Throughout the conversation we hear songs to illustrate the topics. We begin with the Allman Brothers classic “Jessica” written for Dickie Betts daughter (in true Father’d Day fashion). We hear “Waiting on a Song” from “Wild and Precious Life” as well as “Stare at the Sun” and “Circles in the Stars’ to finish the segment.

Give it a listen or better yet get a ticket to see the music live at the Iron Horse on Thursday 7/17. IronHorse.org