NEWS
THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND ANNOUNCE 2ND ALBUM “BLESS YOUR HEART”
The Allman Betts Band have announced a new album, Bless Your Heart. Set for an August 28 release via BMG, it’s the second studio effort from the band.
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NEW SINGLE “COUNTY FARM” OUT NOW
Guitarist and singer Johnny Stachela of The Allman Betts Band has self-released a new single, “County Farm,” available across all digital platforms.
The song – a cover of “County Farm Blues” written and first recorded in 1930 by folk-blues icon Son House – recalls House’s time at Mississippi’s Parchman Prison Farm and the rigid prison driver, Captain Jack.
Recorded at Stachela’s home studio during quarantine, the moving and evocative tale seemed particularly poignant at this moment in history. “I was first attracted to the song ‘County Farm Blues’ because it felt very dangerous. Music like that is born out of oppression that still exists today, 90 years later,” says Stachela. “The haunting vocal and intricate slide guitar, it’s raw emotion. I’m so captivated by that sound, I feel somewhat responsible to carry it forward.”
THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND RELEASES ‘LONG GONE’ MUSIC VIDEO
The Allman Betts Band shares a new music video for “Long Gone”, off the debut album, Down to the River. The video was shot from quarantine but, with clever editing, gives off a vintage feeling.
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ABOUT
In 2018, Johnny Stachela and Duane Betts partnered with the Devon Allman Project as guests, supporting and sitting-in on a nine-month Allman/Betts World Tour, with stops at such iconic venues as NYC’s Beacon Theater and Colorado’s Red Rocks amphitheater. The European leg took Stachela to Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, UK and Germany. Additionally, he performed on the second single, “Downtown Runaround,” and subsequent video from Betts’ debut EP, Sketches of American Music.
Stachela joined The Allman Betts Band as a charter member- recording at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound studio- for their 2019 debut LP, Down to the River, and their 2020 follow-up, Bless Your Heart, touring internationally with the group, including dates in Europe and multiple summer festival stops. Subsequent tours with the ABB and the Allman Betts Family Revival have included appearances at New Orleans’ famed Jazz Festival, as well as overseas dates in Australia and Japan- at Byron Bay and Fuji Rock, respectively.
Among the myriad guest spots Stachela has made include jams with Little Feat, Gov’t Mule, and North Mississippi Allstars. With Betts, he’s also welcomed Derek Trucks and Mike Campbell (Tom Petty) for notable onstage collaborations. As a solo artist, Stachela joined the legendary Wet Willie on the band’s 2020 Rock Legends cruise. As well, in the spring of 2023, Stachela released the single, “County Farm Blues”, a cover of the 1930s Son House folk blues, across all digital platforms. He is slated to record further solo material estimated for release in 2025.
Additionally, Stachela contributed writing, performing, and production work for Betts’ second solo project. Recording sessions for the new effort commenced in Spring 2022 at Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi’s Swamp Raga Studio in Jacksonville, Florida. The resulting album, “Wild & Precious Life,” issued by Royal Potato Family records, arrived in the summer of 2023 to much critical acclaim, making several year-end “Best of” lists.
Stachela joined Betts as a founding member of his new band, Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel, embarking on an extensive U.S. tour including festival dates and headlining appearances, and a noteworthy night at the Grand Ole Opry. Touring in support of the LP continued throughout 2024. A follow-up LP is slated for 2025.
With his well-crafted style of bottleneck slide evoking favorable comparisons to his heroes- influenced and inspired, never imitating- Johnny Stachela has become one of the more highly respected guitarists in modern blues and rock.
MEDIA
County Farm Blues
by Johnny Stachela
Digital Album Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high quality download in MP3, FLAC, & more. Buy Now $5 USD
1. County Farm Blues
2. Firefly
3. Hard Rain
4. Handle It
released March 21, 2023