Warren Haynes Shares Matt Abts Update & Reveals Impact On Gov’t Mule Album Plans

Warren Haynes shared an update on longtime Gov’t Mule drummer Matt Abts during a new interview with JamBase. Haynes also revealed that Abts’ absence is currently preventing the band from moving forward with a new studio album featuring bassist Kevin Scott.

“Matt’s going through some medical issues, and it breaks his heart to not be here,” Haynes told JamBase. “There’s nothing Matt would rather do than play music. We’re hoping he’ll be back really soon.”

Abts last performed with Gov’t Mule during the band’s Island Exodus 15 destination event in Jamaica in January 2025. He later addressed his absence in August 2025, explaining that he had made the decision to remain home and attend to “some lingering injuries from years behind the kit.” Abts said at the time that he needed “some time at home to rest and recover” and looked forward to returning to the road.

Terence Higgins has handled drumming duties for Gov’t Mule in Abts’ absence. Haynes praised Higgins while stressing that Abts should not rush his return.

“Terence Higgins in the interim is doing a fantastic job filling in for Matt,” Haynes said. “But Matt is one of my favorite drummers and one of my favorite people on this planet, and I miss him being on the road tremendously. But I understand what he’s going through. We’re hopeful at this time, but it’s gotta be dealt with in a way that he doesn’t rush it.”

Later in the conversation, Haynes discussed his desire to make Gov’t Mule’s first studio album since 2023’s Peace… Like A River with Scott, who joined the band in 2023.

“I really want to make a Gov’t Mule record with Kevin Scott,” Haynes said. “Right now, Matt’s situation is keeping us from doing that. But we’re hopeful, but not rushing the process.”

Haynes’ Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey arrives tomorrow, September 18. The 16-track live album documents the 2019 debut of Haynes’ orchestral project with the 64-piece Asheville Symphony Orchestra and draws from his work with Gov’t Mule, the Allman Brothers Band, the Grateful Dead and his solo catalog.

Gov’t Mule returns to the road on Wednesday, September 23 to launch the Dreaming The Same Dream Tour with Ziggy Marley at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City.

Stay tuned to JamBase for more from our conversation with Haynes about Dreams & Songs, his musical past and what lies ahead.