Berry Oakley, Jr.’s Home Destroyed, GoFundMe Campaign Set Up

Hurricane Ian left a wide path of destruction across Florida and the Southeast United States. Many towns and homes were destroyed, including the home of Berry Duane Oakley. The Allman Betts Band bassist, who is the son of late Allman Brothers Band founder Berry Oakley, had nearly all of his possessions wrecked by the storm. Luckily, he and his family are now safe.

“We are ok,” he shared on Facebook. “A bit frazzled but staying strong for each other. We are in salvage and clean up mode. The house is a wash. Unfortunately, we didn’t have insurance.”

A video shows the extent of the damage:

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Oakley and his family recover from the catastrophe. He will be using the money to rent a new home, pay for living costs, and temporary lodging.

“I am so humbled and grateful for all your help and support. I know many people outside of the circle assume that musicians make a huge living but honestly, as a bass player for 30 years, I have been able to survive and cover my bills. Bass players are not notoriously known to be living the high life, nor have I ever anything and everything I make goes into my family and taking care of them and their safety, security, and health,” he says. “There is no huge family estate we are very blessed with a few pennies from Heaven every year. I am a hard-working man and never have an issue with putting in the time, effort, and hard work to get a job done regardless of what the job may be. Unfortunately, as a self-employed bass player, I honestly don’t make rockstar money with that said, my employers always take care of me very fairly, but again, I am not a songwriter I have no records, I have no publishing I’m just a regular Joe who has been blessed to be able to play bass and music and hopefully leave a positive mark on this world with the music I’ve played in the records I’ve worked on.”

Please consider giving to the GoFundMe to help a fellow bassist in need.