More love a healing vibes to you and yours, Luke. Hang in there, brother.

Oh, Luke, I am so sorry about Amy. I don't have words kind or deep enough to express my concern for your family. I was just on Facebook and I came across a Wanee picture from a few years ago - of Gina and Amy and I posted something nice about them being the special women in a special man's life. Ironic timing. Y'all keep steady and call on God to help heal Amy's arm. She's gonna be alright - it could have been much, much worse. Jim K., my prayers are also with your father. This is a tough time in any child's life - someday you'll have to let go but not til he's ready. He doesn't seem ready yet - he's a strong guy, like is son. Nic, so glad you're scans came out clean. I, too have divertculosis - only I have it ALL through my intestines. It's pretty common in older people. Some of us just get it earlier. Figure out what bothers your stomach and just don't eat it. If you find yourself in terrible abdominal pain, however, get yourself to the ER because that infection can spread damn fast. We're all having our health issues popping up right about now - mostly, it's just about what age we are. What I'm doing is just trying to accept what God's handed me and try not to focus too much on it. Yeah, my back will never heal, but it hurts less when my mind is in the right place. Again, Luke, I love you and Gina so much and I know how much you guys love that not-so-little girl. She's got a rough road ahead and she'll be in my prayers every day. Remember, we have our new angel above to look after us - Red Dog - Rainy's glitter is like fairy dust. It can make everything alright.

(((((Continued thoughts, prayers, and vibes))))) to Luke's daughter and family.

Been working out of town and haven't been here for several weeks. I did heard about Red Dog passing and that was sad. I hoped he would beat the cancer. I well remember speaking with Red Dog at some of the shows with the original ABB. The Dog was protective and very "marine" when he came to the guys in the band, but he could tell if you were a gentle spirit who was hooked on the music and vibe that was The Allman Brothers Band, so he would always take time to talk to us and explain what was happening. Berry Oakley was pretty good about that too. They viewd us young hippies as an extension of the brotherhood. Oakely called us "their people". Luke: I'm really sorry to hear about what happend. I will remember your daughter in my prayers. Just be glad she didn't get killed. Butch Truck's is a big fat ass. He was a bit that way back in the days of the original band. Butch has even said that he felt in 1972 that the band should probably vote Berry Oakley out of the band as Oakley just couldn't function anymore and was just NOT able to live in a world that DIDN'T include Duane Allman. And that when Berry finally got killed, it was a relief!! For sometime after Duane died, Butch was really down on Gregg Allman and was one of the one's who was quick to abandon Gregg over the Scooter Herring thing. When the ABB got back together in 1978, Butch said that you couldn't count on Gregg for anything and that when Dickey played him"Crazy Love" and said he would make sure Gregg could play and do the shows, THAT is when agreed to help put the band back together. Butch has always been jealous of Gregg and Dickey making more money off the band than him because of their songwriting and has always been a bit mad at Dickey for not getting a song writing credit on Liz Reed. Butch did write the drum part and the entire band expanded the original chords and melody line that Dickey brought to the band, but Dickey felt that what butch and the boys did was "arrangment" and not"writing" and Duane said it was completely Dickey's song so Butch had to go along with it as he has admitted in an interview I've read. Just as Berry Oakley came up with the bass line and opening part for Whipping Post. Gregg didn't write Whipping Post at all like the ABB decided to do it. The original didn't have Oakley's opening bass intro and the original was slower. But it ONLY says "Gregg Allman" as the writer. It could be true that Dickey couldn't remember a song (even one that he wrote) if he hadn't played it in several months. (rember it well enough to play it on the fly without loosing his place) But THAT is no reason to kick a brother out of the band who's contributions such as; HALF of the signature dual guitar sound that was THE FOUNDATION, THE CORNERSTONE of the Allman Brothers sound. A member who was loved and respected by the band's founder Duane Allman. A member who was like a brother to Berry Oakley. Berry, Duane and Dickey were MORE than the three on the front line with Gregg Allman on organ. They were a family..they were brothers with mushroom tats on the back of their legs. A member who was half of their writing team and contributed great originals such as Liz Reed, Revival, Jessica, Southbound etc etc to the bands list of original songs. But since Butch thougth they should talk about kicking out Berry Oakley in 1972 because he couldn't live in a world that didn't have Duane Allman, is it any surprise that Butch was the KEY player in kicking out Dickey and that 11 years later he still has to say what he did in the Jambands interview about Dickey. Maybe it was difficult for Dickey to handle songs he hadn't played in a few months.( But the original band played basicly the same set every night!!). But do you kick out a brother, a original member, who was a MUCH BIGGER reason the band became successful and you made some damn good money than YOU are?...Just so you can have more fun and play songs on the fly like the Grateful Dead did? (and the Dead was rather sloppy lots of times for going the loose format way) Well that is Butch Trucks for you. The only good news I saw in the interview is; the ABB is winding down. They will only go another three to five years. That band lost half it's heart in 1971 and 1972 and what was left was pretty much lost in 2000 when they booted Dickey. Only the name still remains and I hope what we see today as The Allman Brothers Band DOES completely go away soon. The only way I can enjoy the chemistry, vibe, brotherhood and music of my favorite band is to put on the old stuff and have it coming out of a speaker. So let this version of the ABB fade out. I won't even notice as I ONLY listen to the original band or any version that has Dickey for years now. I gave up on the ABB about 8 years ago so it is ALREADY over for me. P.S. If anyone wants to see a good show, buy the DVD "Jeff Beck's Rock n' Roll Party honoring Les Paul". I even spotted Warren Haynes in the audience several times. It was shot at a small club in New York and I guess Warren was in town and went.

Sending healing vibes to Luke and family. I hope your daughter will be alright. Mitch

Luke, keeping you, Gina and your beautiful girl in my prayers. If you need anything please reach out. I know first hand what it's like to live without an arm. Praying so hard it does not come to that for her...I'm here if you need me. (((Hugs))))

Just wanted to add -- (((Rainy))) -- a beautiful post from this morning -- be well -- hope all shoulder/ankle issues are Over

Brother LUKE, I believe that good thoughts, a few prayers and fine friends do help those who need. I cast all these good thing y'alls' way and wish you and your family a Blue Sky day, Tom :smoke:

:clapping::waving:Right on Brother Nic. ((((Continued thoughts, prayers, and vibes Bro))))