Last month, Gregg Allman released his memoir “My Cross to Bear” to positive reviews. While USA Today called the autobiography “a welcome seal of honesty,” the most glowing review is coming from longtime drummer and founding member of the Allman Brothers Band Claude “Butch” Trucks.

“I was stunned. It was obviously a book about 45-plus years that I have been a part of, and so much of it was so familiar,” Trucks said. “Re-living a lot of it through Gregg ranged from tears to raging laughter and pretty much every emotion in between. What stunned me was how open to his inner self Gregg is in the book. I am still taking in a lot of what he had to say, but I just can’t say enough how proud I am of Gregg right now.”

Gregg Allman and the Allman Brothers Band have faced their share of ups and downs since the band’s inception more than 40 years ago. From the release of hit singles like “Ramblin’ Man” to the untimely death of guitarist and Gregg Allman’s brother Duane Allman, the group has persevered. The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year because of its contribution to 70’s music.

Trucks said he just finished reading Allman’s memoir recently and recommends others do the same.

“It took a ton of courage for him to open up the way he has in this book. You want to know how incredible it is to play music, be a member of the Allman Brothers in all of its formations and how horrible being a celebrity can be, read this book,” Trucks said. “He lays it all on the line and pulls no punches on himself.”

Just because he’s now a successful writer doesn’t mean Allman is giving up his day job. The Allman Brothers Band will be swinging through Thornville, Ohio to headline the All Good Festival July 21. Tickets for the four-day festival start at $180.

- John Milligan / 98.5 WNCX