Allmans’ ‘Dangerous’ Dan Toler Diagnosed With ALS; Dickey Betts To Headline Benefit Concert

King Mojo recording artist and former Great Southern and Allman Brothers guitarist "Dangerous" Dan Toler has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and is currently undergoing expensive daily medical treatment. To help defray expenses, friends have organized a benefit concert for Toler on Nov. 12 and 13 at Herschberger Ranch, 13010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dickey Betts and his Great Southern Band have signed on to headline the benefit, which will also feature Also scheduled to appear are Bonnie Bramlett, the queen of blue-eyed soul, and BlackHawk (headlining on the second day), which had a string of Top 10 country hits in the 1990s including "Every Once in A While" and "I'm Not Strong Enough to Say No." Others artists pitching in include American Idol season four runner-up Bo Bice, The Artimus Pyle Band, Sean Chambers, Wilson Williams and His Platters, Tony Tyler's newly named act Come Back Alice, the Mike Kach Group and others.

A typically fiery solo by ‘Dangerous’ Dan Toler on ‘Leavin’,’ with the Allman Brothers Band.

Tickets are priced at $20 (one day), $35 (two-day pass), $100 (one day VIP), $150 (two-day VIP), $5 for children ages 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 941-228-5099 or visit the Dan Toler official website: www.dantolerbenefit.myevent.com. Tickets will also be available at the ticket office on the days of the event.

A resident of Manatee County's Whitfield neighborhood, "Dangerous" Dan Toler played guitar in Great Southern before Betts, a resident of Sarasota, landed him The Allman Brothers Band gig in 1979. Toler can be heard on three ABB albums, including the group's acclaimed comeback, Enlightened Rogues, which reached No. 9 on the Billboard album chart.

‘Dangerous’ Dan Toler: ‘A wonderful cat’

The Brothers disbanded in 1982 and Gregg Allman (a former Manatee County resident) formed his namesake solo band with Toler and recently deceased sibling David "Frankie" Toler on drums. Together they recorded the 1986 album, I'm No Angel, which produced the hit title track.

Toler rejoined Great Southern in 2002 and stayed for several years before leaving to pursue various other projects. He announced he had ALS in August of 2011. That same month a highly successful fund-raiser was held for Toler at Aces Live in Bradenton.

“Dan's always taken care of everybody around him," says Mark Serio, charity event co-organizer and Mike Kach Group guitarist. "He's a wonderful cat who I've known for 30 years and I would do anything for him. "This is a labor of love for all of us.”

Donations for Dan's ALS medical treatment can be sent by mail to: Dan Toler, ALS, PO Box 1786, Tallevast, FL 34270. Send a card along, too, and wish him well and thank him for the great music he’s made over the years, or leave a note on his website.