Two Beatles, One Stage, and a Macon Memory: Your Midweek Music Brief
Written by Jarvis Prime on November 11, 2026
Paul and Ringo sign on for Joe Walsh's veterans benefit, Garth Brooks buys himself a radio station, the Rock Hall gets ready for Saturday night, and we remember Berry Oakley.
Good day, friends and neighbors, and a heartfelt thank-you to every veteran listening on this Veterans Day. Fittingly, the biggest music story of the week is one that gives back to those who served. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are set to share a stage at Joe Walsh's VetsAid benefit, happening January 29, 2027, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It's the tenth VetsAid and the first one held in Vegas, with proceeds going to Nevada military veterans and their families. The Killers, The War On Drugs, St. Vincent and Lucius are on the bill too. Tickets go on general sale this Friday, November 13.
Here in Georgia, November 11 carries some weight for anyone who loves Southern rock. It was on this date in 1972 that Berry Oakley, founding bassist of the Allman Brothers Band, died after a motorcycle crash in Macon. He was 24 years old. The accident came just over a year after Duane Allman's fatal wreck, and only a few blocks away. The two are buried side by side at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon. If you hear a little extra Allman Brothers today, now you know why.
On the radio dial, Garth Brooks is getting into the station business. Radio Ink reports that his company, Sevens Network, has agreed to pay $3 million for Nashville's 100.1 FM, the longtime home of adult-alternative favorite Lightning 100. The plan is a country station called FM-100, built around women in country music, mixing current and classic tracks. Lightning 100 isn't going away; the brand is slated to continue on 106.3 FM under Cromwell Media. The deal still needs FCC approval.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame holds its 2026 induction ceremony Saturday, November 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This year's performer class includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan, with Gram Parsons, a name dear to south Georgia, among the Early Influence honorees. Liam Gallagher has said Oasis won't be attending. The ceremony airs in December on ABC and Disney+.
Out on the road, Lynyrd Skynyrd has extended its 2027 touring plans once more, with new European dates next summer, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. Todd Rundgren has added 20 shows ahead of his 2027 tour with Toto, and Stewart Copeland has announced 2027 dates for Police Deranged, his orchestral take on the Police songbook.
And for your record shelf this Friday, November 13: Randy Travis releases Same Old Way, a collection of previously unreleased songs recorded between 1986 and 2013. Waylon Jennings' Diamonds arrives in physical form the same day, with digital to follow December 11. Pat Green also has a live album from Luckenbach, Texas.
That's the news from where we sit. Keep it tuned to Pretoria Fields Radio, and thank a veteran today.
— The Pretoria Fields Radio news desk
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