The Mule performing in 2008: L to R, Haynes, Abts, Hess, Louis

Gov’t Mule is a Southern USA rock jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project, by Warren Haynes and Allen Woody.
The two shared a love for 1960s power trios like Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the James Gang and Mountain. Along with drummer Matt Abts, they released their self titled debut album in 1995.
In 1997 when The Allman Brothers Band were not forthcoming with any new material, Haynes and Woody left to concentrate full-time on Gov’t Mule.
Over the course of a 15 year period they released no less than 15 albums…many to critical acclaim and seemingly with each new release the bands popularity increased in direct proportion to the accolades it received.
Unfortunately, in 2000, Allen Woody was found dead in New York City in August of that year.
Haynes began appearing with The Allman Brothers Band again and with Dickey Betts’ departure, Haynes came back full time to the band at the beginning of 2001 and has continued splitting his time between the Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule and re-formed Grateful Dead bands.
That next year, Haynes and Abts began to record a tribute album using some of Woody’s favorite bass players. such as Jack Bruce, formerly of the Cream,  Mike Watt of Minutemen, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Chris Squire of Yes among others.
These sessions resulted in two CDs… The Deep End, Volume 1 in 2001 and  Volume 2   the following year.
Haynes and Abts used a revolving door of keyboardists and bassists to fulfill touring engagements in support of the Deep End recordings. Danny Louis. and Andy Hess, were eventually named as permanent members.
In 2008, Andy Hess was replaced by Jorgen Carlsson, who had been rehearsing with the band for six months.
The band continues to tour extensively and has become a staple act at music festivals across North America, with both its members and frequent guests from other notable bands, adding various funk and blues rock elements to the band’s sound.

Source: Wikipedia