Gov't Mule signed to play Riverbend

Gov't Mule, led by guitar master Warren Haynes, will co-headline at this year's Riverbend Festival, playing an extended set on the Bud Light Stage on June 10, according to talent and production coordinator Joe "Dixie" Fuller.

It marks the first time in festival history that two artists will be given co-headlining credit while performing on separate stages, Fuller said.

"We consider Gov't Mule to be of equal billing to the Happy Together Tour [featuring Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams and The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie]," Fuller said. "We will have something new and something old on the same bill."

Also added to the lineup are Blackberry Smoke, who will play the Bud Light Stage on June 15, and Kaki King, who will play the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union Stage on June 9.

"I'm a huge Blackberry Smoke fan," Fuller said. "It's just great Southern rock music."

Gov't Mule will be touring in support of "By a Thread," its first studio album in three years. Haynes will be joined by bandmates Matt Abts, Danny Louis and Jorgen Carlsson, who replaces the late Allen Woody on bass. Haynes is also a regular member of the Allman Bros. and fronts The Warren Haynes Band, in addition to being a studio producer.

The group will do a set that's longer than the usual for Riverbend, playing from 6:45 to 9 p.m., according to Fuller.