By Leslie Simon

The last name Betts should ring a bell to anyone that listens to Classic Rock, and if you are wondering if it has any relation to Dickey Betts, guitarist of The Allman Brothers Band, you’d be correct! Dickey’s son Duane Betts (named after the late The Allman Brothers Band member Duane Allman), has become a shining star in his own right through his heartfelt storytelling and a vintage sound that is reminiscent of his musical pedigree.

As a kid, Betts originally started on drums, then moved to guitar. His performance career began early, and at 16 he played onstage with The Allman Brothers Band in Vail as well as in their Woodstock ‘94 set. He has been a part of several bands including Dawes (who played the Arvada Center in 2022), Great Southern (with his father Dickey Betts), Whitestarr with Alex Orbison (son of legend Roy Orbison) and Cisco Adler (son of famed producer/manager Lou Adler), and his own band, Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel. You could say that Duane Betts is one of the hardest-working players in the Americana scene.

His shows are a soulful mix of southern rock, blues, a little country, and improvisational jam, and he has a multi-generational following. Fans of The Allman Brothers Band will love his tight, melodic guitar solos and southern rock grooves. His new album Isle of Hope will be out June 12, and we are excited to hear how this new material sounds live. Come check Duane Betts out at the Arvada Center on June 18 when he opens for fellow southern rockers Blackberry Smoke! Get your tickets at the concert event page here!

Duane Betts photo by Kaelan Barowsky