Reinforcing what I already knew, The Allman Brothers Band will receive the prestigious Legend Of Live award at the 2008 Billboard Touring Awards, given to a band that has had a significant and lasting impact on the live concert industry. The awards are set for Nov. 20 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

Previous Legend Of Live award winners include Rolling Stones promoter Michael Cohl (2004), Cellar Door Concerts founder Jack Boyle (2005), Sir Elton John (2006) and pioneering agent Frank Barsalona (2007).  Although I have never seen them live before, first hand accounts from the guitar player of my band (who has seen them three times) are that they are AMAZING, even without legend Dwayne Allman. His replacement in the band, Derek Trucks, is essentially the best slide guitar player on the planet right now, so that is none-too-shabby.

“The Allman Brothers Band has rocked the house for four decades, ‘hittin’ the note’ for veteran fans and converting new generations year after year,” says Ray Waddell, Billboard’s executive director of content and programming, touring and live entertainment. “They’re an American institution and concert icons, and Billboard is thrilled to honor them as this year’s Legend Of Live.”