Hats Off To Gov’t Mule Fans

Consider the band’s tour which begins July 16 in Raleigh, N.C. Sure, there are headline dates, like the NYC Central Park Summerstage gig Aug. 11. There are also dates with Dave Matthews Band and a concert with The Avett Brothers and Truth & Salvage Co. at Denver’s Red Rocks. Then there’s that whole bit about remembering which date the band is doing with Trombone Shorty and which show includes Shorty as well as Jackie Greene. Yes, there’s a lot to remember when you’re a fan of The Mule.

But touring is just one of the many galaxies that make up the Gov’t Mule universe. Guitarist / co-founder Warren Haynes is almost an industry onto himself, splitting much of his time between Mule and a group he joined in the late ‘80s known as The Allman Brothers Band.

Haynes was ranked No. 23 on Rolling Stone’s “Best Guitarists Of All Time” list and was chosen as “Best Rock Guitarist” by Guitar Player Magazine two years in a row. So on top of playing in two bands, he’s also a guitar god, which represents yet more accomplishments for fans to keep track of.

Of course, axemen of such renown often have other projects in the works and Haynes is no exception. He runs his own label, Evil Teen, which last month released Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Volume 3, a live recording made in 2001 of his annual Christmas Jam concert featuring Blues Traveler, Drivin’ N Cryin’ and Phil Lesh & Friends. Meanwhile, Mulennium, a three-disc set featuring The Mule’s complete 1999-2000 New Year’s Eve show, drops next month.

Then there’s the band’s annual Mountain Jam concert held every June, yet another facet of the mighty Mule. Can one human brain possibly remember everything Gov’t Mule is doing?

Hmmm… Maybe that’s why God created computers. And websites. Click here for the Gov’t Mule website, here for the band’s online store selling show recordings (MuleTracks.com), here for Warren Haynes’ website and here for Evil Teen Records’ website.

And while we’re talking about Gov’t Mule, here’s an MP3 of the Haynes composition “Night Of A Thousand Stars” from Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Volume 3, featuring the band along with Phil Lesh & Friends.  Just click here.