Gov’t Mule Rides Into “First Niagara Tuesday in the Park!”

(Lewiston, NY)  Gov't Mule, the mighty Southern jam band paced by improvisational lead guitarist Warren Haynes, are the featured - and sole - musical act of the July 29 installment of the "First Niagara Tuesday in the Park" free outdoor concert series at Artpark.  All of Artpark's free concert events begin at 6:30pm and include hands-on art workshops for children.

There is no opening act as Gov't Mule will play two full sets.

Big riffs, massive grooves, and expansive improvisations are the hallmarks of Gov't Mule's legendary live shows. Likewise, their well-crafted songs feature larger-than-life characters bearing life's heaviest burdens, performed by four musicians - seven-time Grammy nominee guitarist/vocalist Haynes, drummer Matt Abts, keyboard player Danny Louis, and bassist Andy Hess - whose powerful musicianship, chemistry and tireless work ethic have earned them the respect of their peers.

Audience interaction is what Gov't Mule's legion of devoted fans crave. That unique relationship is something Gov't Mule has cultivated since its formation in 1994 as a power trio offshoot of the Allman Brothers Band. Their self-titled debut was released in 1995; in 1997 Haynes and bassist Allen Woody followed their collective muse and Gov't Mule became a full-time band. After Woody's death in 2000, Haynes and Abts performed and recorded with over 30 bass players for the celebrated "Deep End" projects. Longtime acquaintance Danny Louis joined the band on keyboards in 2002, and the following year Andy Hess became the band's permanent bass player.

In early 2003, "Sco-Mule," a funky instrumental track from The Deep End Vol. 1, featuring jazz guitarist John Scofield, was nominated for a Grammy Award. This marked Haynes' seventh overall Grammy nomination; in 1995 he accepted an award along with the Allman Brothers Band for an incendiary live take on the band's classic "Jessica."

Like all of Artpark's free concert events, each evening includes a wide variety of free family-friendly hands-on art workshops, including drawing, face-painting, dress-up, self portraits and more.

All "First Niagara Tuesday in the Park" events are also sponsored by Certo Brothers Distributing Company, Sevenson Environmental Services, Modern Corporation, S&S Lawn Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, Mark Cerrone, Inc., Tim Horton's (Niagara Falls), DiMino's Lewiston Tops, Pine Pharmacy, Frey Electric Construction Company, Bison Construction Corp., Empire Dismantlement Corp., Lawley Insurance, Time Warner Cable, and The Talking Phone Book.

Artpark's Outdoor Amphitheater opens to the public at 2pm on event nights, and can be accessed via the Upper Park's Portage Road entrance off of Center Street or through South 4^th Street nearest the Mainstage Theater.

Carry-ins (food and beverages) are prohibited at all of Artpark's free concert events while on-site parking is .

For a full schedule of 2008 events, call the Artpark Box Office at (716) 754-4375 or visit artpark.net.

The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is being operated by Artpark & Company, Inc. for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation under a license agreement.

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