FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music
  • Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News Last update: March 24th
  • Latest Articles (links)
  • Cruachan - The Living and The Dead
  • Elles Bailey - The Caves, Edinburgh
  • Knowing Your Shit... 2022 In Review
  • King Kraken - MCLXXX
  • Hayley Griffiths (February 2023)
  • Steve Hill (January 2023)
  • WinterStorm 2023 - Legends and Legacies Announcement
  • 2023 Reviews
  • 2023 Featured Album Reviews
    • Heavy Metal Kids - The Albums 1974-1976
    • Anchor Lane - Call This a Reality?
    • Doomsday Outlaw - Damaged Goods
    • Hayley Griffiths - Far From Here Hayley Griffiths Band - MELANIE
  • 2022 Reviews
  • 2022 Featured Album Reviews
    • Moon City Masters - The Famous Moon City Masters
    • Steve Hill - Dear Illusion
    • Kira Mac - Chaos is Calling
    • EBB - Mad & Killing Time
    • The Commoners - Find A Better Way
    • Rebecca Downes - The Space Between Us
    • Erja Lyytinen - Waiting For The Daylight
    • Chris Antonik - Morningstar
    • The Milk Men - Spin The Bottle
    • SiX BY SiX - SiX BY SiX
    • Jeff Berlin - Jack Songs
    • Keef Hartley Band - Sinnin' For You The Albums 1969-1973
    • Toby Lee - Icons Vol.1
    • Montrose - I Got The Fire : Complete Recordings 1973-1976
    • Orianthi - Live From Hollywood
    • Valeriy Stepanov Fusion Project - Album No. 2
    • Dan Reed Network - Let's Hear It For The King
    • Ali Ferguson - The Contemplative Power Of Water
    • Edgar Winter - Brother Johnny
    • Joe Satriani - The Elephants Of Mars
    • Dave Cureton - State Of Mind
    • Larry McCray - Blues Without You
    • Tears for Fears - Tipping Point
    • Kris Barras Band - Death Valley Paradise
    • Dan Patlansky - Shelter of Bones
    • Black Lakes - For All We've Left Behind
    • Wille & The Bandits - When The World Stood Still
    • LALU - Paint the Sky
    • Various Artists - Revolt Into Style 1979
  • 2021 Reviews
  • 2021 Featured Album Reviews
    • Dave Bainbridge - To The Far Away
    • Lachy Doley - Studios 301 Sessions
    • Mark Pontin Group - Kaleidoscope
    • The Mentulls - Recipe For Change
    • Plush - Plush
    • Wayward Sons - Even Up the Score
    • Pat Metheny - Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
    • Steve Hackett - Surrender Of Silence
    • Sweet Crisis - Tricks On My Mind
    • Amanda Lehmann - Innocence and Illusion
    • Chantel McGregor - Shed Sessions Volume One & Volume Two
    • Troy Redfern ...The Fire Cosmic!
    • NWOCR - Volume One
    • Jeff Kollman - East of Heaven
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere
    • Dennis DeYoung - 26 East Vol 2
    • Mark Lettieri - Deep: The Baritone Sessions Vol 2
    • Reach - The Promise Of a LIfe
    • Jane Getter Premonition - Anomalia
    • Mason Hill - Against The Wall
    • Lyle Workman - Uncommon Measures
    • Robert Berry - 3.2 : Third Impression
    • Lifesigns - Altitude
    • Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra - Songs For The Apocalypse
  • 2020 Reviews
  • 2020 Featured Album Reviews
    • McCartney III
    • Gary Barlow - Music Played By Humans
    • Storm Warning - Different Horizons
    • Reb Beach - A View From The Inside
    • Lykantropi - Tales To Be Told
    • King King - Maverick
    • Jakko M Jakszyk - Secrets & Lies
    • Blue Öyster Cult - The Symbol Remains
    • Fish - Weltschmerz
    • Dyble Longdon - Between A Breath And A Breath
    • Jim Kirkpatrick - Ballad of a Prodigal Son
    • Abel Ganz - The Life of the Honey Bee & Other Moments of Clarity
    • Toby and the Whole Truth - Ignorance is Bliss (25th Anniversary Edition)
    • Everyday Heroes - A Tale of Sin & Sorrow
    • Skintrade - The Show Must Go On
    • Robert Jon & The Wreck - Last Light on the Highway
    • Pat Metheny - From This Place
    • Anchor Lane - Casino
  • Selected 2023 Gig Reviews...
    • The Wilson Brothers - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
  • Selected 2022 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender - Troon
    • Jack J Hutchinson - Bannermans, Edinburgh
    • Paul McCartney - Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury 2022
    • Daryl Hall - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
    • Joe Bonamassa - SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
    • Dan Patlansky - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Eric Gales - Oran Mor, Glasgow
  • Selected 2021 Gig Reviews...
    • Sweet - The Garage, Glasgow
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere Record Release Experiment Live
    • Anchor Lane - Lockdown Live, DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Laurence Jones - Live From Camden, Powerhaus, London
    • Joe Bonamassa - Austin City Limits, Live Stream
    • Todd Rundgren - Clearly Human Virtual Tour, "Pittsburgh"
  • Selected 2020 Gig Reviews...
    • Jared James Nichols - Garage G2, Glasgow
    • Oscar Cordoba Band - Blue Arrow, Glasgow
    • Rebecca Downes Band - The Ice Box, Glasgow
    • Ben Poole Trio - Room 2, Glasgow
    • Sensational Alex Harvey Experience - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • The Aristocrats - Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
    • Fat Suit - Drygate, Glasgow
    • Francis Dunnery's It Bites - St Lukes, Glasgow
  • Selected 2019 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender IV - Troon
    • Hawkwind - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • Opeth - SWG3 Galvanizers, Glasgow
    • Félix Rabin - Nice 'N' Sleazy Glasgow
    • Anchor Lane - G2, Glasgow
    • Stray - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Danny Bryant - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Talon - Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
    • Lifesigns - Smiles of Musical Travel
    • A Whole Lotta Rock 3 - featuring Rattlesnake Tattoo, Prestwick
    • Chantel McGregor - Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow
    • Pete Way Band - Customs House Hotel, Greenock
    • Raintown and Katee Kross - Village Theatre, East Kilbride
    • Danny Vaughn - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • NR Rocks 2019 - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest 2019
    • Cheap Trick - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • The Blind Lemon Gators - Tolboth, Stirling
  • Muirsical Conversations...
    • Rebecca Downes (December 2022)
    • Chris Antonik (November 2022)
    • Pat Travers (October 2022)
    • Robert Berry (August 2022)
    • JW-Jones (August 2022)
    • Mike Ross (July 2022)
    • Dan Patlansky - March 2022
    • Bernie Marsden (December 2021)
    • Robin George (November 2021)
    • Dennis DeYoung (June 2021)
    • Robert Berry (March 2021)
    • Dan Reed (February 2021)
    • Steve Hackett (January 2021)
    • John Verity (September 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (July 2020)
    • Gary Moat (March 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (October 2019)
    • Rebecca Downes (May 2019)
    • Ben Poole & Wayne Proctor (January 2019)
    • Dan Reed (November 2018)
    • Del Bromham (October 2018)
    • Brian Downey (September 2018)
    • Raintown - Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain (May 2018)
    • Hamilton Loomis (December 2017)
    • Alan Nimmo (October 2017)
    • Erja Lyytinen (September 2017)
    • Suzi Quatro (September 2017)
    • Biff Byford (August 2017)
    • Dan Patlansky (June 2017)
    • Graham Bonnet (May 2017)
    • Simon Thacker (April 2017)
    • Sari Schorr (March 2017)
    • Stevie Nimmo (February 2017)
    • Dan Reed (February 2017)
    • Adam Norsworthy (January 2017)
    • Colin James (December 2016)
    • John Lees (October 2016)
    • Sari Schorr (August 2016)
    • Mike Vernon (August 2016)
    • Wayne Proctor (July 2016)
    • Laurence Jones (April 2016)
    • Chantel McGregor (March 2016)
    • John Young (January 2016)
    • Michael Schenker (November 2015)
    • Martin Barre (October 2015)
    • Chris Norman (September 2015)
    • Joanne Shaw Taylor (August 2015)
    • Fee Waybill (July 2015)
    • Ian Anderson (June 2015)
    • John Lodge (June 2015)
    • John Lawton (May 2015)
    • Steve Hackett (May 2015)
    • Manny Charlton (April 2015)
    • Ben Poole (April 2015)
    • Alan Nimmo (February 2015)
    • Popa Chubby (December 2014)
    • Paul Young (July 2014)
    • Bernie Shaw (June 2014)
    • Lee Kerslake (December 2013)
    • Pat Travers (September 2013)
    • Steve Hunter (August 2013)
    • Joy Dunlop (March 2013)
    • Gwyn Ashton (Dec. 2012)
    • Greg Lake (October 2012)
    • Ned Evett (August 2012)
    • Steven Lindsay (July 2012)
    • Dave Cureton (June 2012)
    • Jon Anderson (May 2012)
    • Jeremey Frederick Hunsicker (March 2012)
    • Amy Schugar (Feb. 2012)
    • Robert Fleischman (November 2011)
    • Ivan Drever (Sep. 2011)
    • Michael Sadler (June 2011)
    • James Evans (April 2011)
    • Alyn Cosker (Nov. 2010)
    • Scott Higham (Nov. 2010)
    • Kevin Chalfant (Oct. 2010)
    • Francis Dunnery (Sep. 2010)
    • Duncan Chisholm (Aug 2010)
    • Barbara Rubin (July 2010)
    • Alan Reed (June 2010)
  • FabricationsHQ Q&As With...
    • Jeff Kollman - August 2021
    • Lyle Workman (March 2021)
    • Jason Bieler (February 2021)
    • Félix Rabin (February 2020)
    • Chantel McGregor (August 2019)
    • Greig Taylor (July 2019)
    • Adam Norsworthy (June 2019)
    • Erja Lyytinen (March 2019)
  • Muirsical Articles...
    • 2019AB?
    • The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story
    • Alex Harvey - Framed in Words. And pictures
    • Home of a Ramblin' Band (Allman Brothers Band Big House Museum)
    • Journey - That Time Forgot
    • KISS - Elder Statesmen, Elder Statement?
    • Phil Lynott - Remembering Pt. 3
    • Freddie Mercury - The Days of His Life
    • Gary Moore - Last Exit
    • Mott - Without any of the Hoople-la
    • Muirsical Six of the Best
    • Music Town: A Decade of the Darvel Music Festival
    • Pat Travers - The Forgotten Power Trio
    • Playing Tribute
    • Gerry Rafferty - Humblebum to Multi-Million Seller
    • Cliff Richard - The Rock and Roll Juvenile
    • Slade - Thanks For the Memories
    • The Sweet - A Cut Above the Rest
    • Talon - On Eagles Wings
    • Wild Horses - Thoroughbreds or also-rans?
  • A Personal Journey: Definitive Edition (eBook)
  • Steve Perry (vocalist): One in a Million (eBook)
  • A Writer's Muirsings...
    • A Writer's Muirsings: Introduction
    • Superbowl XLVII MVP: Beyoncé (February 2013)
    • Michael Jackson: The Alternative Verdict (Nov 2011)
    • True Colours (November 2010)
    • It's a New Language, Old Bean (October 2010)
    • Finger Pointing (July 2010)
    • Suffer the Little Children (April 2010)
    • Hey 'Banker', can you spare a dime? (February 2010)
  • Author Bio & Site Info
  • Contact FabricationsHQ
A visit to the Big House: Home of a Ramblin' Band
Picture
FabricationsHQ contributor (and creator of the site's "Flying Guitars" logos) Amanda Lee Campbell takes you to Macon, Georgia for a step through time and a walk beside Allman Brothers Band history...
 

The Big House, or Big House Museum, situated in Macon some 84 miles from Georgia’s state capital Atlanta, is home to the world's largest collection of Allman Brothers Band memorabilia.

The impressive three story Tudor building, built in 1900, was home to several members of the Allman Brothers Band and their families between January 1970 and January 1973 including original bassist Berry Oakley, his wife Linda and their daughter Brittany and Duane Allman, his wife Donna and their daughter Galadrielle.
Gregg Allman and Candy Oakley (Berry Oakley’s sister) also stayed here during the time they were a couple.
 
The first room visitors to The Big House Museum enter is the parlor; a painting of the At Fillmore East album cover by Macon artist Steve Penley graces the room along with a collection of concert posters.

Upon leaving the parlor you enter the Fillmore East room where the band rehearsed and jammed (the instrumental 'Hot 'Lanta' from At Fillmore East was written in this room).

Picture
The first display case of the Fillmore East room features memorabilia from the founding members’ bands that pre-dated their association with the Allman Brothers Band; other display cases feature memorabilia from the early years of the band, from 1969-1972.
One of most notable pieces is "Layla," the Goldtop Les Paul guitar of Duane Allman; this guitar was used for the sessions with Eric Clapton (Derek and the Dominos). 

Beyond the Fillmore room is found the old dining room;
the display cases in this room feature items significant to the band from 1973 until their 2014 disbandment.
A gold record of the band’s #1 album Brothers and Sisters as presented to their roadie Joseph L. "Red Dog" Campbell is featured in the 1973 case, as is the Capricorn Records jacket Campbell wore. 

The last section in the dining room is devoted to memorabilia from 1989 onwards. 
Here can be found several guitars played by later members of the group including a Fender Jazz Bass played by Oteil Burbridge, a mustard coloured 1991 Gibson SG played by Warren Haynes and an impressive eighteen string Modulus bass played by Allen Woody.

Upon leaving the dining room you enter the living room, which is flooded with light from a large bay window (original member Dickey Betts wrote the song 'Blue Sky' in 1971, while looking out this window at the church across the street).

Picture
Dickey Betts' handwritten lyrics for the aforementioned 'Blue Sky' (written for his then fiancé and later wife Sandy) are also showcased in the living room, as are tracking sheets for 'Blue Sky,' 'Stand Back,' and 'Little Martha.'
On one of the living room walls is another Steve Penley painting, this one of Duane Allman.
 
A floor display case in the living room holds a Gibson SG played by Derek Trucks during his fifteen year tenure with the band; a wall case holds the blue velvet jacket Gregg Allman wore on the inside cover of his first solo album Laid Back, released in 1973.
Another floor case holds two early Allman Brothers Band amplifiers.

Located at the back of the house is the kitchen where Dickey Betts wrote 'Ramblin' Man' in 1971.
The kitchen features a table from the original H & H Restaurant owned by "Mama Louise" Hudson (the H & H was a hangout for the band members during the group’s early years).

Upstairs, the rooms have been restored to how they appeared when inhabited by the various band members and their families.

Picture
Duane Allman’s room is a sombre recreation of how his room would have looked circa 1971; his Allman Brothers Band Jacket hangs by the door while his statuette from the band’s 1995 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sits to the left of the bed.
In the closet is a replica of Duane Allman’s 1959 Tobacco-burst Gibson Les Paul "Hot 'Lanta" guitar, along with his gold coloured shirt jacket with embroidered flowers.

The room and physicality of such items make it all-to-easy to conjure up images of Duane Allman leaving The Big House on his motorcycle on October 29th 1971, never to return from the accident that cost him his life. (Equally tragic was the loss of Berry Oakley one year later; Oakley died from injuries received in his own motorcycle accident on November 11th 1972, 
three blocks from where Duane Allman had his fatal crash).

Also upstairs is the Indian themed "Casbah" room, complete with pillows, couches, Hookah smoking pipe and famous 7 headed shower; the Casbah Room was the ultimate relaxation space for the Big House's inhabitants.

Picture
Gregg Allman and Candice Oakley's upstairs room features memorabilia from the band members’ solo and offshoot projects. These include original drummer Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson’s Sea Level band jacket, Allen Woody's custom mandolin bass guitar from Gov't Mule and Gregg Allman's "Melissa" Washburn acoustic guitar.

For those looking for a memento or two of their visit there’s a gift shop located behind the kitchen.
Here you can buy hats, t-shirts, recordings of the Allman Brothers Band and items that relate to The Big House Museum.

The original members of the Allman Brothers Band were Gregg Allman (vocals keyboards), Duane Allman (slide guitar, lead guitar), Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals,), Berry Oakley (bass guitar), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson (drums). The band was founded in 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Picture
The Allman Brothers Band had many line-up changes; after a storied 45 year recording and touring career the final incarnation of the band was dissolved in 2014. 

Amanda Lee Campbell
for FabricationsHQ


​
Additional source material:
www.duaneallman.info; www.thebighousemuseum.com
Museum Walking Tour Guide; Wikipedia (The Allman Brothers Band)

​All photos ©  Amanda Lee Campbell

Website and text contents © FabricationsHQ and Ross Muir
All Rights Reserved