Douglas Allen Woody (October 3, 1955 – August 26, 2000) was
bass guitarist best known for his tenure in the
rock groups
The Allman Brothers Band,
Gov't Mule,
The Artimus Pyle Band,
The Peter Criss Band, Blue Floyd, and Montage.
Biography
Woody joined
The Allman Brothers Band along with guitarist
Warren Haynes upon the group's reunion in 1989. Woody and Haynes formed side project
Gov't Mule in 1994 with former
Dicky Betts drummer
Matt Abts. Haynes and Woody decided to leave The Allman Brothers Band in 1997 to put a full-time effort into Gov't Mule. Woody died in 2000, leaving behind his wife Jenny and daughter Savannah.
Woody's death helped Haynes in his decision to return to The Allman Brothers Band. Gov't Mule continued on after Woody's death with
Andy Hess assuming bass duties after a three year period that saw a rotating group of bass players including
Mike Gordon,
Dave Schools,
Oteil Burbridge (Woody's replacement in the Allman Brothers Band),
George Porter Jr. and
Les Claypool.
Musical equipment
Woody was a respected bass guitarist - he had a large collection of bass guitars (around 450), featured in his own bass instruction video and was held in high esteem for his playing. The
Epiphone Rumble Kat signature bass was similar to two specially built double-neck instruments that
Gibson made him: a bass/guitar and a bass/mandolin. With the Allman Brothers, although Woody used many different basses,
Gibson Thunderbirds were his preferred instruments, along with......
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