American drummer Matt Abts Abts performing with Gov't Mule in 2007 Background information Born| (1953-09-30) September 30, 1953 (age 69) Oklahoma, United States Genres| Rock, blues rock Occupation(s)| Musician Instrument(s)| Drums, percussion Years active| 1984–present Member of| Gov't Mule Website| mattabts.com Musical artist Matt Abts (born September 30, 1953) is an American drummer,[1] best known as one of the founding members of the rock band Gov't Mule. ## Biography[edit] Abts attended high school in Panama where he started playing music. After moving to Virginia, he played in local bands for eight years and then moved to Florida. There he played in and recorded an album with Chuck & John and the News, a local bar band from Bradenton, Florida, during the early 1980s. In 1984, he played drums for Dickey Betts and Chuck Leavell. Abts recorded Pattern Disruptive with the Dickey Betts Band in 1988 which also included guitarist/vocalist Warren Haynes. Abts joined Haynes and Allen Woody, who had both been members of The Allman Brothers Band, to form Gov't Mule in 1994.[2] Abts has also played in the Pink Floyd tribute band Blue Floyd which was known for its blues versions of Pink Floyd songs,[3] and with bassist Jorgen Carlsson in Planet of the Abts, a 2011 offshoot of Gov't Mule.[4] ## References[edit] 1. ^ "Matt Abts". Drummerworld. Bernhard Castiglioni. 2009. Retrieved July 22, 2009. 2. ^ Daily Freeman (May 29, 2009). "Mountain Jam music festival features Gov't Mule, Allman Brothers Band". Retrieved March 28, 2012. 3. ^ Johnson, Dean (January 31, 2000). "As a tribute band, Blue Floyd doesn't need an education". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 28, 2012 (subscription required). 4. ^ jambands.com (March 23, 2012). "Planet of the Abts Adds Southeast Shows". Retrieved March 28, 2012. ## External links[edit] * Official website * v * t * e Gov't Mule * Warren Haynes * Matt Abts * Danny Louis * Jorgen Carlsson * Allen Woody * Andy Hess Studio albums| * Gov't Mule * Dose * Life Before Insanity * The Deep End, Volume 1 * The Deep End, Volume 2 * Déjà Voodoo * Mo' Voodoo * High & Mighty * Mighty High * By a Thread * Shout! * Revolution Come...Revolution Go * Heavy Load Blues Live albums| * Live at Roseland Ballroom * Live... With a Little Help from Our Friends * The Deepest End, Live in Concert * Holy Haunted House * Mulennium Notable songs| * "Soulshine" Related articles| * Allman Brothers Band Authority control: Artists | * MusicBrainz | This article on a United States rock drummer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. | * v * t * e *[v]: View this template *[t]: Discuss this template *[e]: Edit this template