Dickey Betts’ Son Joins Dawes’ Touring Band
Duane Betts, the son of former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts, has joined the L.A. folk-rock band Dawes. Their fourth album, All Your Favorite Bands, is set to come out June 2.
Speaking to Jambands, frontman Taylor Goldsmith, who’s a deceptively fluid player himself, praised his new bandmate’s skills. “The places he gets into with his guitar, it’s truly compelling, because it really feels like a guy singing and speaking in a way that a great soul singer might or something," he said. "And I think that he understands that musical language so deeply, from the world that he grew up in. I think that you can put him in front of any amplifier and he’s gonna be able to cook it up in a way that’s gonna sound great.
"And he’ll be able to talk to me about how to fill out the tone -- some things I don’t even understand what he’s talking about, but it’s another testament to how in deep connection he is with that language of music, and guitar playing particularly. He also recognizes that Dawes has been a band for a long time as this four-piece, and he’s figured out a way – rather than to shift our course – he’s able to recognize what it is we do and just make us sound better, rather than making us a different band.”
As of now, Betts, who has played with his father in Great Southern, is only going to tour with Dawes. Goldsmith sounded uncertain when describing what his future status will be. “He didn’t play on the record,” he continued. “He kind of came into it after that. He’s been a friend for a long time. But yeah, when we’re onstage and I say, “Hey, we’re Dawes, thanks for coming,” and he’s standing on the stage, you know? I mean, who knows what the future holds – we don’t wanna put that kind of pressure on him or anything. But right now, yeah, he’s in the band."
Since launching their debut, North Hills, in 2009, Dawes have earned acclaim for combining the world-weary, existential songwriting of Jackson Browne, whom they have backed on occasion, with the harmonies of the Band. They recently performed their new single “Things Happen,” with Betts on guitar, on The Late Show With David Letterman.
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