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Remembering a Legend and Our Friend: Dean Daughtry (September 8, 1946 - January 26, 2023)
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We’re sad to announce the passing of our long time keyboard player, and founding member Dean “Ox” Daughtry.
During the late 60’s, Dean was a member of The Candymen, a legendary southern band that was at one time the touring band for Roy Orbison. At 20 years of age, Dean went from performing with a local group in southern Alabama, to touring Australia and Europe with one of the most famous singers of all time, literally overnight. After a short time playing in The Classics IV, Dean would decide to point his future toward a band being formed by Buddy Buie, who had recently achieved chart topping success writing songs for Classics IV. The new band would be named The Atlanta Rhythm Section and as they say, the rest is history.
While ARS is often thought of as a guitar centric group, just listen to any of the band’s recordings and you’ll realize the enormous contributions that Dean made. From the first chord of So Into You, to the intro of Imaginary Lover (both co-written by Dean) he left a deep imprint on the band’s records. From the ethereal chord changes of Dog Days to the powerhouse pop of You’re So Strong (one of Dean’s favorites) his songwriting will live on and continue to stand up as some of the greatest modern musical compositions.
For 49 years, Dean never missed an ARS gig, just up until a couple of years ago, when his faltering mobility forced him to leave the road. Sadly, when he retired he was only a few months short of his goal to perform with Atlanta Rhythm Section for the band’s 50th anniversary.
Back in the day, Dean apparently had a feared right cross that he wasn’t afraid to let loose if someone crossed the line but underneath his powerful persona lay a true heart of gold. He was as tenacious and loyal as a Bulldog, but all his friends knew him as “OX”.
Our hearts go out to his wife Donna, and his family.
We miss you, Ol’ Buddy !
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50 Years of Good Times and Great Tunes Together.
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Those that know Atlanta Rhythm Section know that we got started in the great state of Georgia born from relationships that began in the 60’s releasing our self-titled debut, January of 1972. Along essentially the same timeline in the great state of Ohio another group of musicians would gather together and start creating their own unique homespun sound which was equally anchored in quality songwriting and musicianship. Pure Prairie League was beginning its own journey to Top 40 success with their debut release in March of 1972. We would begin regularly crossing paths while working down the old two-lane highway searching for pieces of the rock’n’roll dream.
Pure Prairie League really began to gel as a band after migrating to Cincinnati, Ohio from the Columbus area, which may sound kind of Yankee-like to some of y’all but Cincinnati is actually just across a bridge over the Ohio River from Kentucky. Yup, these boys come by their signature blend of country and rock music honestly. It’s hard to imagine a more convoluted path to success. After every imaginable setback, one even involving a presidential pardon; the band kept touring and getting their music in front of an audience. Eventually, Pure Prairie League proved that perseverance and really catchy tunes can really pay off.
Before ‘Amie’ became a huge hit for them in 1975, PPL began experiencing an all too common problem for many bands. Keeping a band together is TOUGH! Band members seem to have fluidly quit, joined, left and in many instances rejoined Pure Prairie League over the years. For decades a solid core of players has carried Pure Prairie League forward namely “Big” Mike Reilly who manned the helm and the bass for the band during most of its history. Mike still leads an active role although he recently retired from most of the road work. (Miss ya’ Mike!) Pedal steel guitar innovator, John David Call has been a fixture to most fans, although he left the music business in the late 70’s he returned in 2010 much too our listening pleasure. We’ve seen Scott and Randy out on the road for many years now. Jared and Jeff are relative newcomers to PPL but they fit right into the fold. Even though they’re so tALL! All those guys can really play! Did we mention how well they sing?
After returning from a decade long hiatus that started when Craig Fuller left the band to work with Little Feat in 1988, Pure Prairie League began seeing a lot of Atlanta Rhythm Section once again, doing many shows together and driving many a marquee letter changer insane scrambling for enough letters. When we get to play a show together, it really feels as though the pairing is a natural fit. In a business notorious for attitudes (Who’s getting the biggest dressing room? Who’s the HEAD-liner? Why aren’t WE the headliner?) It’s a joy working with a band that we work with so well, not to mention a band that we enjoy being around, listening to and they don’t even get too mad when a lil’ o’ their whiskey disappears.
Help celebrate over 50 years of good times and great tunes together with Atlanta Rhythm Section and Pure Prairie League. We will be doing several shows together in 2023. Come see us in Wausau, WI at the Grand Theatre, March 19 and at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff Missouri, March 25. On April 29, we will be hosting PPL at one of our favorite venues in Georgia, Anderson Music Hall, located on the scenic shores of Lake Chatuge in beautiful Hiawassee nestled in the Georgia Mountains. We know we will be having a great time. Hope you join us!
For More Info on These and All Upcoming A.R.S. Shows CLICK HERE!
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!!!! UPDATE: Our Harrisburg Show Has Been Cancelled !!!!!
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Unfortunately our upcoming show in Harrisburg was ultimately cancelled due to extenuating circumstances. We’re very disappointed to not be visiting the heart of Pennsylvania this spring. The show really looked like it had the makings of a good one, nice town, cool venue, great cause and an awesome opening act.
Please keep the people of Ukraine in your thoughts and prayers. And keep supporting them however you can. Although we will not be participating in this event, consider joining Soloway Band and their special guests to support the Ukrainian cause. |
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"The Atlanta Rhythm Section : The Authorized History" - Is Now Available!
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Seasoned, southern author, Willie G. Moseley, has written an in-depth book about The Atlanta Rhythm Section. Years of research and extensive interviews are infused into the first and only authorized history of the band. A native and current resident of Alabama, Mr. Moseley effortlessly weaves the story of a band whose roots are so close to his own.
Atlanta Rhythm Section’s background is a history lesson of the music scene in the South during the 60’s. Mr. Moseley details how Buddy Buie assembled a core group of incredibly talented southern musicians and developed the creative environment that enabled the ensemble to flourish and truly craft some amazing work. Buddy made real his dream of forming a super group to use as a vehicle for his songwriting skills, musical vision and business acumen. Mr. Buie’s efforts played out like an expertly conducted symphony and crescendo when Atlanta Rhythm Section’s mainstream success peaked in the late 70’s.
What goes up..., well, you can read the rest of that story too. Mr. Moseley’s book delves into the struggles that follow the band’s Top 40 success. He trails the band’s twists and turns throughout the new millennium up to the present day. Published by Schiffer Publishing and available through many online retailers, “The Atlanta Rhythm Section : The Authorized History” is Mr. Moseley’s thirteenth book. A senior writer of Vintage Guitar Magazine, he is News Editor emeritus for The Tallassee Tribune.
LOOK for "The Atlanta Rhythm Section : The Authorized History" at your favorite retailer.
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A.R.S. Releases 2-Disc CD: "One From the Vaults"
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Often described as a more radio-friendly version of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers, the Atlanta Rhythm Section was one of many Southern Rock bands to hit the upper reaches of the charts during the late `70s. Hailing from the small town of Doraville, Georgia, the beginning of the Atlanta Rhythm Section can be traced back to 1970. It was then that a local recording studio was opened, Studio One, and the remnants of two groups (the Candymen and the Classics Four), became the studio's house band. One of the facility's head figures, Buddy Buie, soon began assembling the session band. After playing on several artists' recordings, it was decided to take the band a step further and make the group of players a real band, leading to the formation of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. This collection contains 10 tracks previously unavailable on compact disc.
Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl.
Recording information: Atlanta, GA (1977); Chandler, NC (1977); Cleveland, OH (1977); London, England (1977); NYC, NY (1977); Pittsburgh, PA (1977); Tokyo, Japan (1977); Atlanta, GA (1978); Chandler, NC (1978); Cleveland, OH (1978); London, England (1978); NYC, NY (1978); Pittsburgh, PA (1978); Tokyo, Japan (1978); Atlanta, GA (1981); Chandler, NC (1981); Cleveland, OH (1981); London, England (1981); NYC, NY (1981); Pittsburgh, PA (1981); Tokyo, Japan (1981).
Personnel: Rodney Justo, Andy Anderson , Ronnie Hammond (vocals); Dave Anderson (guitars, background vocals); Steve Stone (guitars); J.R. Cobb, Barry Bailey (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Dean Daughtry (piano, organ); Robert Nix (drums, percussion); Roy Yeager, R.J. Vealey, Jim Keeling (drums) Paul 'TheMan' Goddard (bass).
Audio Mixer: Rodney Mills. |
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