Gov’t Mule’s first release on ATO Records, The Deep End Volume 1, is the first of a three-part series (Volume 2 & the Mike Gordon directed documentary On The Banks, now called Rising Low) that features 25 of the world's premiere bass players. Volume 1 features singer/guitarist Warren Haynes and drummer Matt Abts with a different guest bass player on each of the 13 songs, including Bootsy Collins (P-Funk, James Brown), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), John Entwistle (The Who), Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band) and Les Claypool (Primus).

Volume 1 also includes performances by Gregg Allman, Rob Barraco, Randall Bramblett, Jerry Cantrell, Audley Freed, Eddie Harsch, Chuck Leavell, Danny Louis, Paige McConnell, Little Milton, John Scofield, Derek Trucks and Bernie Worrell.