Former Gov’t Mule guitarist Andy Hess& has been performing with a number of musicians since leaving the group last year. In 2009 he has gigged with, among others, Adam Levy, Leo Nocentelli and in a quartet with Will Bernard, John Medeski and Stanton Moore. On Thursday in New York City he will return to the stage with drivin’ n’ cryin’s Kevn Kinney, continuing another ongoing musical relationship. On Thursday at the Highline Ballroom, Kinney, Hess and Anton Fier (The Golden Palominos) will open for Cracker and then on the 29th will regroup for a performance at the National Underground. As for Kinney, he will deliver an acoustic set with Eleanor Whitmore tomorrow night at Brooklyn’s The Music Hall of Williamsburg, opening for Patterson Hood and The Screwtopians, while Hess will begin a tour with Robben Ford in August.