Friday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. — RUTLAND — The Southern rock jam band Gov’t Mule will perform at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Rutland on Friday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets ($44.75-54.75) are available at the venue box office located at 30 Center Street in Rutland, charge-by-phone at 802-775-0903, or online at www.paramountlive.org.
When The Allman Brothers Band reformed in 1989, partially in response to the popularity of their “Dreams” box set, Warren Haynes was added as a permanent lead guitarist and vocalist, and Allen Woody was recruited as bass guitarist. The two shared a love for 1960s power trios which include Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the James Gang, and Mountain.
Haynes, Woody, and drummer Matt Abts, who played with Haynes in Dickey Betts’ band, came together as Gov’t Mule during Allman Brothers breaks. They released their debut album “Gov’t Mule,” produced by Michael Barbiero, in 1995. “Live from Roseland Ballroom” was released in 1996, consisting of their 1995 New Year’s Eve set opening for Blues Traveler.
In the same way that The Grateful Dead were often referred to casually as “The Dead,” Gov’t Mule is often referred to as “The Mule.”
In February 2000, the band released “Life Before Insanity,” to critical praise and commercial success. Unfortunately, Allen Woody was found dead in New York City in August of that year.
The first CD with Louis and Hess, “Deja Voodoo,” was released in September 2004. The album won the Jammy Award for Best Album.
Gov’t Mule continues to tour extensively and has become a staple act at many music festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Mountain Jam, Vegoose, All Good, and their annual New Orleans Jazzfest night show (where they filmed and recorded the last show of the Deepest End tours, with 17 guest musicians in a six-hour show).
The Paramount Theatre, a registered 501-c3 not-for-profit organization, is currently in its 13th season of bringing live entertainment to central Vermont. The Box Office is open Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and from 12-noon through curtain time on all show days.
For more information, visit paramountvt.org.
Photo courtesy of Paramount Theatre
GOV’T MULE
