News and Guts Media/AXS TVThe latest season of AXS TV’s The Big Interview comes to a close tonight with an episode featuring founding Allman Brothers Band singer/guitarist Dickey Betts. On the show, which premieres at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, Betts discusses his decision to return to performing this year after about four years of retirement.
In a preview clip from the program, Betts tells host Dan Rather that when he decided to retire from performing, he’d felt that, at age 70, “I’d just done it [for] so long…I’m just gonna play golf and go fishing. You know, enjoy myself.”
Dickey, who turned 75 last week, admits to Rather, “I really started missing being on the road and, you know, getting out and doing things like this [program] and meeting people.”
He adds with a laugh, “I feel kind of like Tiger Woods…coming back after four-and-a-half years. I’m really trying to play par, you know?”
As for whether he was feeling like he was up to speed musically again at the time of the interview, Betts laughs, “I don’t think you ever feel like you’re there, you know, but I’m getting better at it!”
Also in the episode, Betts talks about continuing the Allman Brothers’ legacy; discusses his often volatile relationship with the group’s late frontman, Gregg Allman; and shares details about writing classic tunes like “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica.”
Unfortunately, Betts has experienced some health issues since taping his episode of The Big Interview. In August, he canceled a series of U.S. concerts after he experienced what was described as a “mild stroke.”
Then, in September, Dickey suffered bleeding on the brain after he fell and hit his head in his backyard. He underwent successful surgery, and is reportedly in the process of recovering.
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