Warren Haynes is best known as one of the guitarists for the Allman Brothers Band (wrapping up 25 years with the band this year as the Allmans have announced their retirement at the end of their 45th year in October) and as the founder of jam band stalwarts Gov't Mule, who are coming to Sioux Falls this Saturday night to headline JazzFest in Yankton Trail Park on their 20th anniversary tour.

Haynes is a musical chameleon, starting his career with David Allen Coe and Dickey Betts Band, but he's also played a large number of shows with the Grateful Dead and Dave Mathews Band which he says he's always enjoyed jumping from musical genre to genre:

It seems like the majority of music artists I talk to over a certain age were all inspired by seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. Haynes at 54 was a little young to remember that watershed moment, so I asked him who or what it was that first lit the fire thinking it would be Led Zeppelin or maybe Eric Clapton. I was a little surprised at his answer:

As I mentioned above, Haynes has shared the stage with a LOT of performers and has recorded with many more including several guests on the Mule's latest release 'Shout!' and a guest spot on the new Kenny Wayne Shepherd CD 'Goin' Home', so I wanted to know if he had a bucket list of artists that he'd like to play with that he hadn't played with yet:

Haynes is not only a phenomenal guitar player but also an incredible songwriter. I wanted to know where he draws his inspiration:

While so many artists look up to Haynes, I asked if there are any of the current or younger generation of artists that inspire him.

Early this year Haynes and fellow Allmans guitarist Derek Trucks announced they would be leaving the band at the end of the year. Gregg Allman has suffered through several health issues and recently announced that the shows at the Beacon Theatre in October would be the final shows in the legendary band's 45 year career. I asked Warren if these final shows he's been doing with the Allmans after 25 years were a 'going through the motions' type shows, or hopefully, a celebration of the incredible career they've shared:

As we talked about Haynes happily hopping from genre to genre and the Allmans wrapping up, I asked him what he had planned for his musical future following up on Gov't Mule's latest release plus his solo record 'Man in Motion' from 2011

One of my all-time favorite songs, regardless of band, is Gov't Mule's "Beautifully Broken". I used the opportunity to ask him what the inspiration behind the song was and if there was a chance we would hear it here in Sioux Falls this Saturday night

We've been after Gov't Mule to come to Sioux Falls JazzFest for a decade and this Saturday night at 10pm, it finally happens. Gary Clark Jr. will play right before the Mule in what will be an explosive finale to a great weekend.

 

 

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