More than the strumming is the pressing down on the strings part with the other hand...on a steal string ( not classical which has softer strings) guitar it hurts
you have to build up calluses.
Wow The Allman Brothers are huge but probably not as much in the UK. As huge in the US as Clapton is in both the US and the UK. At least I'm thinking Clapton would be huge in the UK since he is from there and might be the best guitar player ever. He is my generation though so he might be unknown to you too .
I figured you were crazy busy with school
how is it going?
keep up the good work!