Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1545348
112 maconmagazine.com | June/July 2026 It's where the Allman Brothers and others recorded and worked with the Waldens. The studio has now been restored. There is a vocal booth room named after Chank, which makes me so happy. 7 The Piedmont Grand Opera House — An incredibly beautiful venue where so many legends played, and I witnessed and recorded a record with Gregg there. 8 The Rookery — Great high- quality casual food. I always order a burger named after someone special. You can never go wrong, in my opinion, with the Allman Burger. A close second for me would be the Dr. John Burger. 9 Satterfield's Barbecue — We don't have barbecue like this up north. I love boiled peanuts, and I love me some pulled pork. 10 Visiting with friends — I have made so many friends in the Macon area over the last 20-plus years. Seeing them and enjoying the Southern culture is something that I look forward to time and time again. Macon is a beautiful city in my mind, and the warmth from the people is something that makes me feel happy and grateful. M I C H A E L L E H M A N ' S M A C O N T O P 1 0 M ichael Lehman has a ton of Macon memories as the longtime manager and friend of Gregg Allman, so when filmmakers from Subtext and Rolling Stone Films prepared the new documentary "Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul" for nationwide release in over 200 theatres this June, he didn't forget about the city. Directed by GRAMMY® and Golden Globe Award-winning filmmaker James Keach, the full- length feature documentary explores the life and work of Gregg Allman, one of the most distinctive voices in American music and, as co-founder and frontman of the Allman Brothers Band, a groundbreaking architect of Southern rock. Lehman, who is also a producer on the film, arranged for one of just two nationwide premieres to be at The Piedmont Grand Opera House, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting The Big House Museum (the other premiere is at The Gramercy Theatre in NYC). While the special red- carpet affair sold out quickly, encore screenings of the movie starting June 17 will take place at The Grand and at Mercer Music at Capricorn. Here's Michael Lehman's favorite parts of the heart of Georgia: 1 The H&H — Great food and so many warm memories of spending time with Mama Louise, Gregg, and Chank. She was so welcoming and always had a hug for me and great stories. 2 The 1842 Inn — My usual go-to place to stay when in Macon. I love the Southern hospitality and charm, and you always meet nice people who are also there as guests to talk with. You never know who you are going to run into. 3 The Big House Museum — The museum of the Allman Brothers. So much history and incredible artifacts. I love getting lost in there. I have donated many pieces from my own collection to the museum. Gregg and I were there for the original dedication of the museum, as well as for various book signings and record releases. We also filmed a nonbranded campaign for a cause close to his heart. 4 Rose Hill Cemetery — I have visited there so many times, first with Gregg and Chank when we would go visit with Duane and Berry, later on unfortunately for Gregg's funeral, and visiting there with Chank was always special, as we would run into so many fans and share stories. Now, as the last of the three amigos since Gregg and Chank have passed, it has become an even more meaningful place to visit and to think about and reflect on the years we had together. 5 Grant's Lounge — I love the history of the place and the important part they played in the music scene, with so much coming out of Macon. A true treasure. 6 Capricorn Studios — So much history, and so much great music came from this studio. Ahead of the premiere of "Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul" From left: Michael Lehman, Gregg Allman, and his friend Chank Middleton.