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Children ran around with hula-hoops and parents danced the night away as Helena residents gathered for the second installment of this year’s Old Town Live concert series on Saturday, May 18. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

HELENA – Children ran around with hula-hoops and parents danced the night away as Helena residents gathered for the second installment of this year’s Old Town Live concert series on Saturday, May 18.

Featuring performances from The Allman Betts Band and Taylor Hunnicutt, May’s Old Town Live a taste of country and rock as attendees gathered around the stage and swayed to the music. If guests got hungry, they could enjoy food trucks such as Hey BeBe, Uncle G’s pizza and Tejano’s taco truck.

Old Town Live is an annual free concert series in Helena that has become one of the biggest events in Helena. The event is organized by the Helena Old Town Board and is the combined efforts of volunteers and local businesses.

In addition to the HOT Board, the event is sponsored by a line-up of organizations including Central State Bank, Birmingham Mountain Radio, WBRC 6 and Discover Shelby.

According to Scott “Reg” Register, one of Birmingham Mountain Radio’s morning show hosts on , BMR thoroughly enjoys being a sponsor of Old Town Live.

“It’s a privilege to be associated with this wonderful event,” Reg said. “I just get so excited. When we walked down the hill I just stopped and said ‘This is a perfect setting for a wonderful evening.’”

The headline act, The Allman Betts Band, is comprised of the sons of three founding members of the Allman Brothers Band.

One of the audience members, Donna McKee, fondly recalled attending the original Allman Brothers Band’s concerts in Birmingham in the ‘70s. Her and her late husband were lovers of music, so McKee was happy to be able to attend this concert with her son.

“My son told me about this,” McKee said. “He is the next generation and I am the older generation. I wish my husband was here with me. This would be awesome for him to see. Just like I know (The Allman Betts Band) dads’ would love to see them.”

McKee shared how much she enjoys live music and how much music means to her family.

“We never grow up. I think music is what helps keep us young,” McKee said. “I tried to teach my kids all different kinds of music, jazz, the blues, rock, Christian even. I think that there’s a balance to everything, including music.”

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