AUGUST 2012
Opera House Live: Johnny Neel Saturday, August 11
Legendary Allman Brothers & Gov’t Mule Keyboardist Johnny Neel joinsThe Paul Pfau Blues Band for a night of unbridled music.
Johnny Neel is a Grammy award nominee rec-
ognized in the music world for his work with the Allman Brothers, Lonnie Mack and Gov’t Mule, among others. In addition to his soulful vocals, harp, piano and B-3 proficiency, Johnny is an ac- complished songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by the likes of the Allman Brothers, Joe Louis Walker, John Mayall, Irma Thomas, Ann Peebles, Marie Osmond, the Oak Ridge Boys and Travis Tritt. Born and Raised in Wilmington, Delaware,
Johnny Neel cut his first single at the age of twelve, as Johnny Neel and The Shapes Of Soul. As an adult, the Johnny Neel Band had a strong following up and down the East Coast and re- leased two well-received independent albums. Neel moved to Nashville, the premiere song writ- ing city, in 1984, where he immediately became recognized as an “A” session studio player. Oth-
Observer: Do you remember the first night Dicky Betts, from the Allmans, came in to see you play?
ers began to notice Neel’s songwriting talent and decided to take advantage by recording his songs on their albums. Performing with various bands in area clubs
drew the attention of former Nashville resident Dickey Betts, who asked Neel to join his road band. Neel decided to join the reunited Allman Brothers Band, immersing himself in a success- ful tour, which led to a number one AOR smash hit during the summer of 1990. Car radios all across America blasted “Good Clean Fun”, from the Seven Turns Album, co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. The chart topping hit provided the reunited Allmans with their highest charting single since “Ramblin’ Man” fifteen years prior. The Observer sat down with Johnny to talk about the release of his upcoming album, his days with the Allmans, and supporting new younger tal- ent.
Neel: It was a benefit show and I was imitating a slide guitar on my synthesizer. You couldn’t tell the difference. Dicky was
there and asked me to join. For him it was cheaper than hiring two players. I could do slide and play keys too.
Observer: What was it like playing with Betts? Neel: At that time he was doing Jimmy Reed-like country, more southern with a fiddle player. Dicky was going through a lot of musical changes. The thing I remember most was having to train new bass players. Dicky was looking for something dif- ferent and burnt through bass players. Or He would get mad and let them go. We had five in three years.
Observer: When did you first meet Warren Haynes (Founder of Gov’t Mule)? Neel: Warren and I go way
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Have family or friends coming to town this summer?
The Cottage at Cress Creek is available for two night stays. Package pricing is available with or without golf, call for details.
www.cresscreek.com | 304-876-3375
Cress Creek Country Club | Shepherdstown. WV FREE BOWLING 107 keyes ferry road charles town 304-725-0412
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