Photo Credit: Sidney Smith

Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul is a forthcoming documentary that will explore the career of the famed musician. Directed by James Keach, the film will track the artist’s struggles and triumphs both in his private life and onstage with the Allman Brothers Band, as well as his own group. Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul will incorporate archival recordings, unseen interviews and some rare Allman Brothers Band live footage.

Director Keach notes, “Gregg’s story totally resonated with me,” says James Keach, “especially his relationship with his brother, Duane. I have a very close relationship with my brother, Stacy. We worked together for years on a lot of great projects – The Long Riders was formative for us as well as for the Carradine and Quaid brothers – and the thought of losing my brother at such a young age really got me.

“Not everyone works this way, but I believe that understanding trauma from the formative years of a person’s life is central when telling their story in a documentary. A lot of incredible artists have these shattering experiences in their past that inform every aspect of their lives and talent. Gregg had those demons inside his amazingly creative brain. He dove deep into his addiction when Duane died, but later in life, when he was sober, he faced his own mortality with dignity and acceptance. It’s personally important to me to carry Gregg’s message of trying to change the trajectory of people consumed by addiction. You can hear the ache in his voice in his brilliant music.”

On June 17, Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul will open in Los Angeles and New York for a week of screenings and the movie also will appear in theatres nationwide for one night. Prior to this, a special premiere event will take place on June 9 at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre, which will include acoustic performance by Devon Allman and Duane Betts. Two days later Chuck Leavell will be on hand in Macon, GA, at the Grand Opera House in conjunction with the film. Both events will include Q & As with the filmmakers.