Guitar Slinger Warren Haynes completed his 2000^th show with his band, Government Mule, earlier this summer. That would be a milestone in most any musician’s career, but Gov’t. Mule is just one component of a career that has included nearly 25 years with the Allman Brothers Band, tours with members of the Grateful Dead and slots on many summer time festival stages. Warren has played with SO MANY artists from all walks of the musical universe and yet his name and his stellar reputation may not be known to all…until now!

Warren was born on April 6, 1960 in Asheville, NC, the youngest of three sons. His parents divorced when he was 8 and the boys were mostly raised by their father. He got his first guitar when he was 12 and remembers his first gigs at age 14. Warren delved into playing music in the same manner that a talented athlete devotes  to perfecting his skille! Some of his early influences include Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Johnny Winter. Warren recalls never having a day job and always earning his money playing music. When he was 20, he was asked to join David Allen Coe’s band and remained with them for five years. This was the catalyst to a career that established Warren Haynes as the most sought-after guitarist to play with on stage and in the studio. Along with Dennis Robbins and Bobby Boyd, Warren wrote, “Two of a Kind Working on a Full House,” for Garth Brooks in 1990, just another facet of his career!

At age 27, Dickey Betts brought Haynes into, “Great Southern,” Dicky’s side project from the Allman Brothers. Two years later (1989), the Allman Brothers Band reunited and Dicky Betts invited Warren to join the band. This began an association with the Allman Brothers Band (ABB) for 25 years, solidifying his status as one of the premier guitarists of the day. Warren became lead guitarist and vocalist in the band when Dicky Betts left. With Derek Trucks becoming an Allman in 2000, together they lead the Allman Brothers until the band’s retirement in 2014. During his tenure with the ABB, they released 8 albums.

Warren formed Government Mule in 1994 along with Allen Woody and Matt Abs as a side project from the Allmans. In 1997, Warren and Allen Woody left ABB to concentrate on the Mule full time.  Over the years, this band has released 10 albums of their own including, “Live at the Roseland Ballroom”, “Dub Side of the Mule”, “Life Before Insanity” and their most recent release, “Revolution Come, Revolution Go.” That same year, at the age of 37, Warren married Stefani (Stef) Scarmado. She has managed the Mule for years and helped found Evil Teen Records, which she helps oversee with Warren. Currently, she hosts a radio program on the Jam On channel at Sirius XM radio.

In August of 2000, Allen Woody died in NYC. Warren and Matt performed on a limited basis after his death, in his memory. Within the next year, the ABB reformed and Warren rejoined the band on a full-time basis.

In 1999, Warren teamed up with Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead bassist, in his Phil Lesh and Friends touring entourage. This lead Warren to tour with The Dead from 2004 to 2009 as lead guitarist. I recall seeing this band play in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2004 as Warren shared guitar duties with Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic) along with Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Billy Kruetzman, Mickey Hart and Jeff Chimenti. That evening Warren Haynes was the opening act, performing nearly an hour with an acoustic guitar and then playing two Grateful Dead sized sets with The Dead. Warren has continued to play in the revolving lineup of stellar musicians that play with Phil Lesh and his friends. In 2016, Warren played at the Lockn’ festival alongside Carlos Santana in Phil Lesh and Friends!

After a year’s hiatus (2001), Warren and Matt Abs went out on the road as Gov’t. Mule with Oteil Burbage, then the ABB bassist. Gov’t. Mule released a couple of live albums and then debuted a new lineup which included bassist Andy Hess, filling the shoes of Andy Woody, and introducing keyboardist Danny Lewis. The Mule continued to perform and release new albums as the lineup made several changes. Through all of this, Warren Haynes and Matt Abs anchored the band, averaging about 100 shows a year.

It’s 2010 and Warren is still in the Allman Brothers Band. He’s playing occasionally with Phil Lesh and he’s touring constantly with Gov’t. Mule.  He re-introduces his side project’s, side project, the Warren Haynes Band! Back in 1993, he released his first solo album, “Tales of Ordinary Madness,” produced by Chuck Leavell. This band went off the radar for years, re-emerging in  2011 with the  release of, “Man in Motion,” his second solo album. The following year, Warren becomes a father at the age of 52. The Allman Brothers Band called it quits in 2014, ending one of rock’s most respected careers. The following year, Warren releases, “Ashes and Dust,” an album of Americana music, a real departure for him. The album features a softer side of Mr. Haynes, a reflection of playing with the band, Railroad Earth, occasionally on the festival circuit. He released the album and then went on an international tour with drummer Jeff Sipe and Chess Boxer in support of the album.

Warren’s music reflects a deep love for the Blues and Southern rock. His smoky, raspy voice is ideal for this music. He’s a master of the jam and seems to be able to literally play all night long. Warren’s a huge fan of Gibson guitars, especially the Les Paul GS-335s model. Gibson has even created a Warren Haynes Les Paul Standard model. Warren is well known for including several covers of artists’ music who have influenced him, in every show he performs.  As of this publication, Haynes has appeared on 67 albums with the likes of Dave Matthews band, Derek Trucks, Blues Traveler, Garth Brooks, Jack Cassidy, David Allen Coe, Peter Frampton, Greg Allman, Kevin Kinney of Drivin’ and Cryin’, Les Claypool, John ScofieldLittle Milton and William Shatner. Warren’s most famous song is, “Soulshine,” which became a staple of his ABB performances. The title originates from Haynes’ nickname, given to him by his father. This song is often played as part of his encore performance.

I would like to mention Warren’s charity work and in particular, his Christmas Jam shows in Asheville, NC. First begun in 1988 in a bar, these performances now take place in the US Cellular Center. Last year’s event raised  Two Million dollars!! These shows have become legendary for the deep and wide variety of artists who flock to Asheville in early December to participate with Warren and Friends. Over the years, the music has spilled over into bars and clubs around Asheville, with all proceeds going to charity. The event now benefits Habitat for Humanity as the main beneficiary of the show’s funds. In addition, Warren has given of his time and talent to numerous charitable events around the country.

Personally, I have seen Warren eleven times over the years. My first show was with the Allman Brothers Band in 1989, twice with The Dead, thrice as the Warren Haynes Band and a half dozen times as Government Mule. In my experiences, Warren has never failed to entertain and reach new heights in his performances. As an artist who puts on a completely new show nightly, one could see him seven nights in a row and never see the same performance twice. Oh, and every show would be memorable!

I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on Warren Haynes and any shows you have seen him perform. Am I the only one who thinks this way about Warren Haynes?? I think not…

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