Belmont University and the Gregg Allman Estate today announced the creation of the Gregg Allman Endowed Scholarship for students in Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Endowed posthumously, the scholarship in Gregg Allman’s name honors his Nashville heritage and continues his notable legacy by continuing to support music business and entertainment education. Allman before his death created two similar scholarship funds at the University of Georgia and Syracuse University.
“The Allman Family is proud of the newly established Belmont University scholarship made in Gregg Allman’s name and memory. We hope these future assets will go towards helping up and coming musicians pave the way to achieving their dreams. Our beloved father would be thrilled with this endeavor,” said Gregg Allman’s son Devon Allman.
A celebratory concert for the anniversary of Allman’s 75th birthday will be held Thursday, Dec. 8 at the historic Beacon Theatre in New York City, one of Allman’s favorite venues. Those slated to perform at Midnight Rider: Gregg Allman’s 75th Birthday Jam include Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, NEEDTOBREATHE, Charles Kelley, Shakey Graves, Shaun Munday, Lucie Silvas, Jackson Dean, Gavin DeGraw, Kameron Marlowe, Pete Levin and more. Tickets are still available. Net proceeds from the jam will benefit the newly endowed Belmont scholarship.
“This is an awesome opportunity to celebrate Gregg’s Nashville roots and to partner with Belmont University,” said Michael Lehman, Gregg Allman’s longtime manager. “Later in his life, philanthropy was important to Gregg through music education. I’m grateful to continue that legacy with Belmont’s Curb College and look forward to what’s ahead.”
The scholarship will specifically support students within Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, home to more than 2,700 undergraduates with majors in music business, audio engineering technology, entertainment industry studies, songwriting, media studies and motion pictures. The college serves as a world leader in music business and entertainment education and is the only freestanding college of its kind.
“Gregg was, without a doubt, a rock and roll pioneer and we are grateful for his legacy to live on at Belmont University. Through Gregg’s estate and his team’s generosity, more students will have the opportunity to study and pursue successful careers in the entertainment and music business,” said Dr. Sarita Stewart, Interim Dean of Curb College.
A founding member of the Allman Brothers Band with a storied solo career, Allman proved himself to be an iconic singer/songwriter and exceptional practitioner of American blues. Allman amassed a remarkable list of honors throughout his five decades as a musician, including the Allman Brothers Band’s 1995 induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54th annual GRAMMY® Awards.
Gifts to the Gregg Allman Scholarship Fund at Belmont can be made at belmont.edu/give. Select “scholarship” in the Area of Support field > then select “Gregg Allman Scholarship.”
Photo of Gregg Allman by Danny Clinch
