Gov't Mule [ tickets ] will take to the road in February, marking the jam band's third outing since the death of original bassist Allen Woody in August 2000.

This time out, Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools will accompany frontman-guitarist Warren Haynes, drummer Matt Abts and keyboardist Rob Barraco. Schools also toured with Gov't Mule last summer. (For the band's fall tour, Les Claypool (Oysterhead, Primus) and Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band) alternated on bass playing duty.)

Gov't Mule's latest CD, "The Deep End Vol. 1" (Ato), features 25 of the greatest living bass players, including such luminaries such as John Entwistle (Who), Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Jack Bruce (Cream), Bootsy Collins (P-Funk), Mike Watt (fIREHOSE), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone), Chris Wood (Medeski Martin & Wood), Willy Weeks (David Bowie), Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band) and Mike Gordon (Phish).

This spring will see the release of "The Deep End Vol. 2," featuring bass players including Me'shell N'degeocello, Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Les Claypool (Primus), George Porter, Jr. (The Meters, Tori Amos) and Dave Schools (Widespread Panic).

Also due this spring is a documentary by Mike Gordon on "The Deep End"'s recording sessions titled "On the Banks."