Gov’t Mule, specifically Warren Haynes, is no stranger to losing friends. After an emotional roller coaster this year from losing Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman, among others, Gov’t Mule reopened old wounds over the weekend at their show in Nashville. August 26th marked the 17th anniversary of Allman Brothers Band bassist and Gov’t Mule founding member, Allen Woody. The Mule wouldn’t let the day go by without drawing attention to their fallen brother.

Just as they did last summer, Blackberry Smoke has opened for Gov’t Mule a few shows this summer include the Nashville gig.

Things started to get interesting about halfway through the set. The first surprise of the set was former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman and guitarist Audley Freed for the Crowes classic “Sometimes Salvation.”

Next up, former Allman Brothers Band guitarist and fellow bandmate of Haynes and Woody, Jack Pearson was welcomes to the stage for the dueling guitar masterpiece “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Mule closed the set out with another Allman Brothers Band original and Warren Haynes favorite, “Soulshine.”

For the encore, Warren welcomed back out Pearson and Charlie Starr from Blackberry Smoke for “Melissa > Mountain Jam > Melissa.” The encore was similar to what they played at the Peach festival just last weekend, but the cast of characters had changed.

Set List:
01 intro
02 Bad Little Doggie >
03 Brand New Angel
04 About to Rage
05 Unring the Bell *
06 Endless Parade
07 Revolution Come, Revolution Go
08 King’s Highway > ^
09 King’s Highway Jam
10 Sarah, Surrender
11 Stone Cold Rage
12 Sometimes Salvation #
13 Beautifully Broken
14 In Memory of Elizabeth Reed +
15 Soulshine $
16 encore break
17 Melissa > Mountain Jam > Melissa %

Running Time: 2:15:30

* “Shakedown Street” tease
^ Joe South cover
# The Black Crowes cover w/ Steve Gorman on drums (no Matt Abts) and Audley Freed on guitar
+ Allman Brothers Band cover w/ Jack Pearson on guitar
$ Allman Brothers Band cover
% Allman Brothers Band cover w/ Jack Pearson and Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke on guitar

Thanks to tdwriter for the recording!

Photo credit: thejennypincher