Episode 121: Peter Levin

Hear the Trouble No More keyboardist discuss the formation of the band, his recovery from heart transplant surgery and much more.

By Team JamBase Apr 14, 2022 • 10:16 am PDT

Episode 121 of The JamBase Podcast, a partner of the Osiris Media Network, features an interview with keyboardist Peter Levin. JamBase’s Scott Bernstein spoke with Levin about his recovery from heart transplant surgery, his participation in the new The Allman Brothers Band tribute act Trouble No More and much more.

Peter Levin connected with Bernstein remotely from his home in Nashville via video chat. The conversation started with Levin discussing the initial heart issues he had back in August of 2021 when he was on a bus about to start a tour with Marcus King. Peter was taken by ambulance to the hospital and needed to have defibrillator paddles used on him to get his heart back into rhythm.

While his heart returned to a normal rhythm he continued to have heart issues and the situation worsened to the point where his heart was only working at 15% in early November. He was put into a medically-induced coma and was saved from the brink of death by doctors who told him he needed to have heart transplant surgery. Peter described his recovery from the successful procedure and how the music community rallied around him with support.

Talk then turned to Trouble No More, an Allman Brothers Band Tribute act featuring Levin along with Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Daniel Donato, Dylan Niederauer, Jack Ryan, Lamar Williams Jr., Nikki Glaspie and Roosevelt Collier. The group recently made their debut with two concerts at The Beacon Theatre in New York City honoring the 50th anniversary of ABB’s Eat A Peach LP.

The keyboardist explained the genesis of Trouble No More and the crucial role agent C.J. Strock played in forming the band. Levin talked about putting the setlists together for the Beacon shows as the group’s musical director. Bernstein and Levin also dove into Peter’s long history as a fan and student of The Allman Brothers Band’s music. The keyboardist was a member of Gregg Allman’s solo band for four years “and a little change” and spoke about that experience.

Peter then discussed the rehearsal process for the Beacon shows and how the concerts went from his vantage point. He talked about what his bandmates bring to the music and his excitement for Trouble No More’s future which includes festival appearances and headlining shows this summer and beyond.

This episode is sponsored by Section 119. Section 119 offers a diverse range of quality Grateful Dead, Donut pattern, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and other music related apparel. JamBase is honoring the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s historic Europe 72 tour with a retrospective look back at each of 22 performances that took place between April 7 and May 26 in partnership with Section 119. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Grateful Dead ’72 European tour with Section 119’s Limited Edition Hoodies. Section 119 dug deep into the archive of the Grateful Dead to build 22 unique hoodies with the actual amazing artwork from each show of the tour. Only 72 pieces inspired by each show will be sold.

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Hear Episode 121 of The JamBase Podcast via all major podcast services including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Google Podcast.