These are sad times for Allman Brothers fans, with the band's longtime guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks set to leave the lineup at the end of the year -- and the group's retirement from the road to follow. But in the meantime, Trucks says audiences can expect to hear the Allmans at their very best.

"I think knowing that every show counts is going to make it a pretty special year," Trucks told Rolling Stone, adding that he's particularly excited for this year's series of shows at the Beacon Theatre, set to run from March 7-22. "I have no idea how it's all going to shake out in the end with the band, but I want to see this incarnation go out in a full blaze of glory. I want to see it go out with just the best sets we've ever played."

Describing his decision to depart from the Allmans as "pretty liberating," Trucks said he feels "really great about all the music that we've been able to make and keeping it thriving and alive," but added, "I've been talking about it for years, not wanting to be on the road 300 days a year with kids growing up. There's so much love and loyalty for that band and music that it's a tough call to make. I've given my half-resignation many years in a row. This year it was known that this was going to be it."

As for Gregg Allman's recent speculation that the band could get back together periodically for live performances, Trucks demurred, saying, "My gut tells me this is it. I'm not one that loves the idea of reunions just for the sake of doing it. I love the idea of it going out just as strong as it possibly can and letting that be the legacy." Still, that doesn't mean he's closing the door entirely. "I don’t want to be the stick in the mud either," he admitted. "So it’s a fine line."

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