Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 40
Sign: Aries
City: MACON
State: Georgia
Country: US
Signup Date: 7/25/2008
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December 1, 2009 - Tuesday
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WITH OPENING OF ALLMAN MUSEUM, THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER
By PHILLIP RAMATI
The Macon Telegraph
When Kirk and Kirsten West decided to move out of their Vineville Avenue
home in 2003, the notion of turning it into a museum certainly wasn't on
their radar.
Sure, thousands of visitors from places as far away as Germany, Italy,
Japan and Australia had knocked on their door during the decade they had
lived there, trying to get a glimpse of what was known as The Big House,
where members of the Allman Brothers Band lived in the early 1970s.
It was only after Kirk West -- the band's road manager -- was meeting with
an interested buyer for the property one night when the man suggested that
West start a nonprofit foundation and turn The Big House into a museum.
This weekend, that seed of an idea finally becomes a reality, four decades
after the band's founding.
After five years of fundraising and two years of renovations, the museum is
scheduled to open its doors on a limited basis for the rest of the year
before a formal grand opening in early 2010.
"At times, I've tried to be practical about it, but seeing it come to
fruition ..." said Kirsten West, her voice trailing off as she broke into a
wide grin. "It's a tribute to the band, but equally it's a tribute to the
fans who believed that we could do it."
Kirsten West, the foundation's managing director, said that to date, The
Big House Foundation has taken in about $2.5 million in donations from all
over the United States.
In addition, the museum also has received donated materials to refurbish
the house and many hours of volunteer labor to renovate it.
"Probably 60 percent (of the renovation) has been donated labor and
materials," said Greg Potter, president of the Georgia Allman Brothers Band
Association, who also has donated his own time to help get the house in
shape. "We had a roofer come in from New York, donated all the materials
and put the roof in, and all it cost us was a week's worth of hotel
rooms."
Being there
In the early 1970s, when the band was getting its start in Macon, bassist
Berry Oakley's wife, Linda -- whom everyone called "Big Linda" -- was
searching for a more permanent home and happened upon the Tudor-styled
house at 2321 Vineville Ave. by way of a newspaper ad.
Though the house was more expensive than the Oakleys would have liked, Big
Linda fell in love with the place, and they moved in with Duane Allman and
his family.
The house became the band's unofficial headquarters, a place to hang out,
to party and to play music.
During a recent visit, E.J. Devokaitis, the museum's co-curator, pointed to
a window in what used to be the living room.
"That's where (former guitarist) Dickey Betts wrote 'Blue Sky,''' he said.
"The line in the song, 'Good old Sunday morning, bells are ringing
everywhere,' that was from that church across the street. It's still
there."
There are dozens of little nuggets like that as a visitor moves through
each room of the house.
That living room now serves as home for various posters, gold records and a
huge Steve Penley portrait of Duane. The other side of the front of the
house -- the rooms where the band often practiced -- is home to various
photos and awards the band won.
An interior room contains a wide range of memorabilia, including
instruments from several band members -- Oakley's Hummingbird acoustic
guitar, Gregg Allman's Hammond B-3 electric organ, a prototype for Duane's
signature Gibson guitar, a drum kit from Butch Trucks -- as well as cases
full of handwritten song lyrics, concert tickets, contracts, checks and
more. In one corner, there's a life-size portrait of the band during a
rehearsal for 1971's famed "Fillmore East" concert.
In an interior hallway, there's an exhibit for the band Gov't Mule, which
also had its origins at The Big House and whose members Warren Haynes and
the late Allen Woody were later guitarist and bassist, respectively, for
the Allman Brothers Band.
On the second floor, where the bedrooms were located, the bedroom of
Candace Oakley -- Berry's sister -- is a display room for more artwork. Big
Linda is redecorating what was Duane's bedroom to show what it looked like
when the band lived in the house.
One of the most interesting rooms on that floor is a tiny room that Duane
used as a nursery for his daughter, Galadrielle. The room has been
soundproofed and will serve a place where fans can listen to Allman
Brothers Band music. In addition, the room will eventually be equipped with
a video camera so that fans can share their own memories of the band, Kirk
West said. Those recollections will be compiled and become part of the
museum's permanent collection.
The house's top floor, which served as a recreation room for the band, will
be used for educational purposes and meetings, Kirsten West said. Some of
the band members want to volunteer their time in the future to teach music
to young children, she said. The room also can be rented out for corporate
meetings.
Tiny bit of memorabilia
To the casual observer, it seems like a lot of memorabilia is being packed
into the house. Devokaitis said that what's being displayed, however,
represents perhaps 10 percent of the museum's entire collection. And that
doesn't even include other memorabilia that fans and relatives of band
members have loaned to the museum to display -- each with its own story.
One of the most interesting items is an amplifier owned by Ron Blair, the
bassist for the band Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Blair's sister Jan
used to be married to Gregg Allman, who gave Blair an amp that belonged to
Duane.
"It's a piece of equipment that's been used by two bands that are in the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," Devokaitis said.
The house also contains original stained-glass windows donated by Forsyth
artist Celia Henigman, which go with the house's original stained-glass
windows.
On the outside of the house, there's a koi pond, a catering kitchen and a
small pavilion that can be used for live music.
Kirk West said the museum will be open weekends for the rest of 2009,
including this Saturday and Sunday. Kirsten West said the museum also is
available for rent -- she said two weddings and a rehearsal dinner have
already been booked there.
The Wests say they are expecting a good opening crowd, including an
invitation-only party for major donors.
Opening weekend also coincides with the Fly South music festival Saturday,
which is headlined by Allman Brothers Band guitarist Derek Trucks and his
band.
But for die-hard fans such as Potter, the highlight of the weekend will be
the finished museum itself.
"It's going to be great," said Potter, who has been a fan of the band since
1971. "The band has helped so many people through their problems. Their
music uplifts you. (With the museum), you can see what it means to you.
It's amazing."
_______________________________________________________________________
Message from Kirk West concerning the Big House Grand Opening and related issues (originally posted on the Hittin' The Web forum):hey folks
kirk west here with some info, insight, and history on the opening of the
allman brothers band museum at the big house. for those of you that may
not know, my wife kirsten and i bought the house in 93 and lived there
until 2007 when the big house foundation took over the ownership of the
house and the vast collection of memorabilia. the big house foundation is a
legal georgia 501c3 tax exempt corporation.
throughout the 15 years we lived in the big house, we hosted nearly 25,000
visitors, pilgrims we came to call them. all the band members, many family
members, all the old roadies and crew returned to visit and reconnect with
one another. we hosted 3 funeral/wakes and filmed a documentary, please
call home-the big house years.
the opening of the big house museum was being planned to coincide with an
allman brothers band concert to be held either in macon or atlanta at the
end of the summer/fall 40th anniversary tour.
the tour was to include a third leg in November with another double-bill
package with a band that backed out late in the summer. every effort was
made to include a show in georgia but due to schedules of the various band
members firming up with their own tours and recording plans, at the last
minute it turned out no macon/atlanta show could be scheduled. no one was
more disappointed than i, believe me.
plans had already been put in place for jaimoe to play the invitation
only, pre-grand opening party on the 3rd of december, followed by the abb
at the macon coliseum with the big house grand opening that day on the 4th
and to conclude with the fly south festival starring the derek trucks band
on Saturday the 5th. the whole weekend involved many elements. promoters,
city government, fest organizers, the big house and the allman brothers
band. it was to be a tremendous weekend grand opening for the big house and
the whole city of macon. the excitement in town was palpable. when the
final word came down 2 weeks ago that this show wasn't gonna happen and the
whole band was not gonna be able to attend the opening, several decisions
were made. one, that the jaimoe private party would be moved to Friday the
4th, the day of the planned abb show. since the entire band could not
attend this weekend in December, we decided to postpone the grand opening
until the new year when everyone can and will attend. the museum will be
opened to the public Saturday morning the 5th of December and Sunday the
6th for a preview opening. we will then be open on a limited schedule, a
couple days a week until the grand opening in the first quarter of 2010.
please believe me when i tell you that we all are very excited about the
opening of the big house museum. the lack of info that went on was a result
of all the efforts being made by all the players in this story, from the
band and their individual managers, to the booking agents, to the big house
folks, of which i am only one of many, the board of directors, the small,
over worked staff and all the volunteers who have worked very hard for over
5 years to open this museum. the disappointment of not bein able to pull
off a slam bam huge weekend in macon is difficult to convey. the city of
macon is very supportive of the big house and the programs we have begun at
the local elementary schools with after school ethnic drum classes, thru
the efforts of marc quinones and pearl drums. the impact of this museum
and the efforts that we are puttin forth to revitalizing the music scene
have consumed lots of time and energy. the big house staff and board are
committed to putting together an amazing multi-faceted musical historical
experience for the fans, the community and for the band itself. i
understand the frustration, confusion, and disappointment that many of you
are feeling with the lack of an allman brothers band show in georgia during
its 40th anniversary tour. the band, management, and the big house also
share those feelings. sometimes all the efforts just dont pan out.
you must know that the abb appreciates and values the support and love that
the fans have shown towards the band these past 40 years. we understand the
importance that the music has had in the lives of the fans.
that is the very reason for the big house museum in the first place.
now as far as some the the pointed statements to the elitism of the private
party.
if you go to the big house website or on any of the brochures we have
handed out over the past 5 years, the donation levels were clearly spelled
out. we have had extraordinary support from all corners of the map.
people with means helped out with monetary donations. others contributed
construction help, building materials, technology assistance, etc etc etc.
many folks helped with clean ups and help on the road with various tasks.
the private invitation only event will total about 300 people from
various band members and managers to the local politicians and foundation
managers and corporate contributors. the immediate neighbors will be
invited to show them what will be living in the neighborhood. the event
will be held on the grounds and in the house and will end about 8pm so as
not to cause any noise and traffic problems with our new neighbors. the
party will then move down to grants lounge for a late nite after party with
tinsley ellis as the party band. for those of you who know, grants lounge
will only hold about 150 or so, about half of the invited guests. figuring
that many wont make the after party, if we can fit more folks in , we will
let em in.
this isnt a move of elitism -- but a fire marshall shut down consideration
with regards to grants.
i hope that this helps to answer some questions and perhaps explains what
we are doin and what our intentions are. remember none of us have ever
opened a museum before. we are fans just like you and are doin the very
best we can. we hope you all visit and enjoy the effort we have put into
makin this dream come true. come on down to macon, if not the first
weekend in december, then some other time.
we got some good stuff goin on and we would love to seeya.
verbal______________________ The Big House Museum is located at 2321 Vineville Ave. in Macon, GA. Phone: 478-741-5551 Check out their site at: http://www.thebighousemuseum.orgThe Big House Restoration page here on MySpace has continuing updates on the progress - check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/thebighouserestorationAnd, also, if you're planning on visiting Macon you should check out the city's tourist page: http://www.maconga.org/index.cfm
4:00 PM
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