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Gov't Mule retools with Widespread Panic bassist
A reconfigured Gov't Mule kicks off an 11-date tour on March 29 in Raleigh, N.C., a tour that will carry the band along the East Coast and to Nashville.
Dubbed on its website as "The New School of Gov't Mule," the band will feature original members vocalist-guitarist Warren Haynes and drummer Matt Abts, along with bassist Dave Schools of Widespread Panic and keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who has played with the Allman Brothers Band, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. Schools replaces Allen Woody, who died on Aug. 26 in Queens, N.Y. at age 44.
Haynes and Abts have been working on an album honoring Woody. So far, some of Woody's favorite bassists--including Les Claypool of Primus, Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Mike Gordon of Phish--have signed on to appear, according to Govt. Mule's website. The duo and the various bassists will work on the project throughout the year.
Haynes is also keeping busy with solo and Allman Brothers projects. In February, Haynes mixed his acoustic live CD, which he expects to be released this year. He has recently written tunes with Gregg Allman and played on a track for Alanis Morissette's forthcoming CD.
