The band will kick off its upcoming outing by tackling a slot at the July 28 Bele Chere music festival in Asheville, NC. Several opening dates with Matthews and his crew follow, with co-headlining shows with the Allmans commencing later in August.

Woody and guitarist/vocalist Warren Haynes served stints The Allman Brothers Band in the early '90s before branching out to Gov't Mule--initially a side project--on a full-time basis with the addition of drummer Matt Abts. Haynes currently is doing double-duty as a member of both the Allmans and Gov't Mule.

Long known for their powerful live performances, the jam rockers recruited bassist Andy Hess and keyboardist Danny Louis after Woody's death, both of who appeared on 2004's "Deja Voodoo" in addition to the new "High and Mighty."

The band's new album was co-produced by Haynes and Gordie Johnson, former member of Canadian blues-rock outfit Big Sugar. The challenge as usual for Gov't Mule was in capturing the dynamics of the band's live act in a studio environment.

"We took the interplay that happens on stage and utilized it to create something magical in the studio," Haynes said in a press release. "Even within the structures of some of the more straight-ahead rock songs, this band plays with a jazz sensibility."