Gregg Allman’s story is officially coming to the big screen. Based on his touching, raw, and wild 2012 autobiography, My Cross to Bear, the movie of the same name will focus on the early years of The Allman Brothers Band.
The group’s unique interpretation of the blues and their unbridled love of making music received widespread fame in the early 70s. At the peak of their popularity, his brother Duane, already regarded as one of the most powerful blues players and slide guitarists to have lived, died in a motorcycle accident in 1971. The band carried forth in his absence, and still continues to bring it’s legendary sound to adoring audiences across the world. Gregg continues his position on the B3 and lead vocals, and on lead guitars are Gov’t Mule front man Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, the nephew of long-time Allman drummer Butch Trucks, who is now himself regarded as one of the greatest slide players in the world — often being compared to Duane.
Allman and his manager, Michael Lehman, will both be executive producers on the film. Original Allman Brothers music will be used in the movie, and re-recordings of live Allman performances will be created for the film. In addition, “Cross to Bear” will begin shooting in Georgia, the famous long-time stomping grounds of the band, and home to the Allman Brothers Band Museum.
In his biography, Allman was candid about his long time drug and alcohol addictions, which he overcame in the mid-1990s. In 2010, he had to undergo a liver transplant, and in 2011, he released the solo blues album, Low Country Blues, produced by T-Bone Burnet, with an incredible lineup of musicians, including Dr John, Colin Linden, Doyle Bramhall II, and many more. Allman continues to tour and play throughout the world.
Casting is currently underway and there is no news on who will play Gregg or Duane. Production on the film is scheduled to begin in Georgia late in the summer.
