UPDATED 11/2: Former Allman Brothers Band guitar greats to reunite: Dickey Betts and Great Southern are headling Dan Toler benefit in Sarasota

Bonnie Bramlett publicity photo

UPDATED 11/2: Esteemed blue-eyed soul singer Bonnie Bramlett, formerly of the famed duo Delaney & Bonnie, has been added to the Dan Toler ALS Support Benefit Festival. 

Bramlett performed with the Allman Brothers Band during the Toler era of the late 1970s (here's a clip). She can be heard on the ABB albums "Enlightened Rogues" (1979) as well as "Reach for the Sky" (1980). She also performed with Toler on the acclaimed 1978 Dickey Betts & Great Southern album "Atlanta's Burning Down."

As a member of Delaney & Bonnie she performed with Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Dave Mason. Her many recording credits include singing with the Allman Brothers Band.  She also co-wrote The Carpenters' hit "Superstar" but is perhaps best known for playing Bonnie Watkins on the hit TV show "Roseanne" in the early 1990s.

As first reported here Oct 4., Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dickey Betts and his Great Southern Band will headline the festival taking place Nov. 12 and 13 at Herschberger Ranch in Sarasota. The benefit is being held to raise funds for Toler’s battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Herschberger Ranch is located at 13010 Fruitville Road,  Sarasota.
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Dickey Betts performing in July. From dickeybetts.com

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dickey Betts and his Great Southern Group have signed on to headline the Dan Toler ALS Support Benefit Festival.

The plan is for the former Allman Brothers Band guitar greats to once again jam together — perhaps on such Betts-penned classics as "Ramblin' Man," "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" or  Jessica" (see video below).

The charity event to raise funds for Toler’s battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, takes place Nov. 12 and 13 at Herschberger Ranch, 13010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.
 

"Dan Toler gives first interview since ALS diagnosis"

BlackHawk, which had a string of Top 10 country hits in the 1990s including "Every Once in A While" and "I'm Not Strong Enough to Say No," are scheduled to perform, as well headline the second day.

The lengthy lineup also includes "American Idol" season four runner-up Bo Bice, Wilson Williams and His Platters,  Tony Tyler's newly named act Come Back Alice, the Mike Kach Group and many more (click for poster).

Dan Toler  honoring his brother on June 25, 2011. By Wade Tatangelo

"Dan's always taken care of everybody around him," said Mark Serio, charity event co-organizer and Mike Kach Group guitarist. "He's a wonderful cat who I've known for 30 years and I would do anything for him."

A resident of Manatee County's Whitfield neighborhood, Toler played guitar in Great Southern before Betts, who resides in Sarasota, landed him the Allman Brothers Band gig in 1979.

Toler can be heard on three ABB albums, including the group’s comeback “Enlightened Rogues,” which reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200.

The Brothers disbanded in 1982 and Gregg Allman (a former Manatee County resident) formed his namesake solo band with Toler and recently deceased sibling David Frankie Toler on drums. Together they recorded the 1986 album “I’m No Angel” that produced the hit title track.

Former Allman drummer leaves lasting legacy

David ‘Frankie’ Toler: 1951-2011

Toler rejoined Great Southern in 2002 and stayed for several years before leaving to pursue various other projects. He announced he had ALS in August. That same month a highly successful fund-raiser was held for Toler at Aces Live in Bradenton.

"This is a labor of love for all of us," Serio said.

Details: Dan Toler ALS Support Benefit Festival,  Nov. 12 and 13 at Herschberger Ranch, 13010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets: $20 (one day) $35 (two day pass), $100 (one day VIP), $150 (two day VIP). $5 for children ages 12 and under. Information: (941) 228-5099 or http://www.dantolerbenefit.myevent.com.