It just wouldn't be an outdoor-music season without them: Allman Brothers are coming back to Raleigh's big outdoor shed on Oct. 11, in what might turn out to be the final show of the season. That will extend the venerable Southern rock icons' streak to 19 straight years playing Walnut Creek, as the only act to play there every year since it opened in 1991. And if you were wondering why Widespread Panic isn't playing its usual weekend stand at Walnut Creek next month, it's because they're on the Allman Brothers bill as opening act.

Tickets go on sale Friday. 

I've read so many stories over the years about Gregg Allman being a "difficult" interview that I wasn't expecting much when I got him on the phone last week. To my surprise, however, the Southern rock icon could not have been chattier about a variety of subjects -- including one of his estranged former bandmates.

"The band has changed a lot since Derek and Warren joined, back to more like it was in the beginning," Allman said. "We don't have two guitar players fighting, then one dies and the other takes on this thing of, 'Oh God, I've gotta fill his shoes.' Then instead of the way some people turn wimpy and say they can't do it anymore, he turns bully.

"But hey," he concluded, "if you can't say anything nice, why say anything at all?"

For lots more on everything from presidential politics to Hepatitis C, check the interview in Friday's paper. Allman Brothers play Raleigh's big outdoor joint tonight, extending their run as the only act to play there every year the place has been open.

Walnut Creek Amphitheatre has changed names a couple of times over the years, but there has been one constant throughout its history: Venerable Southern rockers the Allman Brothers are the only act to have played the big shed in Raleigh every year since it opened in 1991. And the streak will continue for at least one more season. Allman Brothers are set for an Oct. 3 date at Walnut Creek with Phil Lesh & Friends, according to Pollstar, which will extend the Allmans' Walnut Creek streak to 18 straight seasons. They're like Walnut Creek's version of Lou Gehrig.