06/25/2026
GREGG ALLMAN’S FLORIDA ROOTS RAN DEEP
By Roger Grinsbey (reprint from 2025)
While the Allman Brothers Band often associated with Macon, Georgia, the foundation of their legacy was built in Florida. Though born in Nashville, Tennessee, Gregg Allman’s true coming-of-age took place in the Sunshine State. After the tragic murder of his father in 1949, Gregg and his older brother Duane moved with their mother to Daytona Beach. It was there, in the surfside streets of the late 1950s and early ’60s, that the brothers found their musical calling. Influenced by blues, R&B, and early rock ‘n’ roll, Gregg and Duane cut their teeth in Florida clubs, VFW halls, and teen centers. They formed their first bands\The Escorts, then The Allman Joys, while still teenagers.
Eventually, they created Hour Glass, a band that brought them briefly to Los Angeles before their eventual return to the South.
Florida remained essential to their story. It was in Jacksonville, in 1969, that the Allman Brothers Band was officially born uniting a powerhouse lineup that would redefine American rock. Alongside bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet, the Allmans helped make Jacksonville a cradle of Southern rock: a gritty blend of blues, country, and electric soul.
FATHERHOOD AND REGRET
Gregg Allman fathered five children with five different women, but for much of their early lives, he was absent. The demands of the road, the chaos of fame, and long battles with addiction left a void in his role as a father. In his memoir *My Cross to Bear*, Gregg acknowledged these failings with brutal honesty and expressed deep regret for the emotional scars his absence left behind.
A COMPLICATED BOND: GREGG AND ELDEST SON MICHAEL ALLMAN
Of all Gregg’s children, perhaps the most complex and poignant relationship was with his eldest son, Michael Allman Born on July 3, 1966, in Daytona Beach to go-go dancer Mary Lynn Sutton, Michael’s early life was defined by uncertainty. Initially, he bore the surname Hendrick, from the man his mother briefly married to legitimize his birth. Later, she wed Daniel Green, a Learjet pilot, whom Michael believed to be his father.
Tragedy struck in 1972 when Daniel Green died in a plane crash. Michael, only six at the time, was devastated. It was during this time of grief that his mother revealed a life-altering truth: his real father was Gregg Allman. Michael continued to live largely apart from his famous father, watching from a distance as Gregg’s stardom soared. He first began to connect with Gregg’s music before connecting with the man. By the time he was a teenager, Michael could sing every lyric by heart.
Their paths finally crossed when Michael was 17. His mother had been diagnosed with cancer, prompting Michael to move in with Gregg in California. It was during this time that the two began to form a tentative bond. In one memorable moment, Gregg played a cassette of a new song in the car—only to be stunned when Michael sang along, knowing every word.
CARRYING THE TORCH IN NEW PORT RICHEY
Michael eventually followed his father’s path into music, forming The Michael Allman Band. With his striking resemblance to Gregg—both in voice and appearance—he quickly drew attention from fans of Southern rock. But Michael brought his own grit to the stage, shaped by life’s hardships and a journey all his own.
He later made New Port Richey, Florida, his home. There, he founded The Half-Eaten Peach, a one-of-a-kind music venue, memorabilia shop, and creative space on US-19. The venue serves as a living tribute to the Allman legacy and a hub for fans, musicians, and the community. In addition to managing the Peach, Michael performs regularly at local venues and tours extensively. He is visible and beloved figure in the local music scene.
GREGG MET SEVENTH AND FINAL WIFE IN FLORIDA
Gregg Allman’s final chapter also brought him back to Florida. In 2011, he met Shannon Williams then just 24 years old while living in the state. Despite a 40-year age difference, Gregg called the relationship the most meaningful of his life, saying, “This time, I am really in love.” They married in February 2017, just three months before his death in May.
While the full details of Gregg’s estate were not publicly disclosed, it’s widely understood that his assets were divided among his wife and five children: Michael, Devon, Elijah Blue, Delilah Island Kurtom, and Layla Brooklyn Allman. Michael, like others in the family, has at times been involved in legal disputes related to the estate’s management.
Yet through the music, the venues, and the bloodlines, the Allman story lives on—rooted not just in Georgia but deeply in the soul of Florida.
