Warren Haynes’ Annual Christmas Jam will once again descend upon Asheville for a weekend full of holiday spirit and cheer. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this year’s jam will expand to a two-night spectacular taking place Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8 at the U.S. Cellular Center, serving up another incredible line-up full of surprises and unforgettable musical pairings benefitting the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
Friday, December 7 will feature sets by (in alphabetical order) Dark Side of The Mule, Grace Potter, Jamey Johnson, Marco Benevento and Mike Gordon (of Phish), and Saturday, December 8 will welcome (in alphabetical order) Dave Grohl and friends play “PLAY”, Eric Church, Gov’t Mule, Jim James (of My Morning Jacket) and Joe Bonamassa. There will be many special guests throughout both nights including Audley Freed, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jimmy Vivino, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Mike Barnes, Robert Kearns, Ron Holloway, and more.
“I can’t believe that it has been 30 years since myself and a few friends held a small event in a local club so we could all play together around the holidays and donate a small amount of money to charity. Never in our wildest dreams did I, or anyone in attendance that night, expect that our little show would evolve into the event that it has, taking place over 2 nights at the arena where I saw so many great shows as a teenager. It’s gone from being a local event to an international one and we couldn’t have done it without the help of all the great artists, bands, and musicians that have donated their time through the years. I am thrilled and humbled that so many incredible musicians are going to help celebrate this milestone. This is truly going to be the biggest and best Christmas Jam yet,” says Warren Haynes.
Curated by Grammy Award-winning vocalist-songwriter, producer and revered guitarist Warren Haynes, the Christmas Jam is one of the most celebrated and longest-running live concerts in the U.S. Held each year in Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, NC, performing artists, volunteers and friends from all over the country come together to raise funds for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. For the 20th year in a row, proceeds from the Jam will go toward constructing energy-efficient new houses (41 houses have been built so far) as well as purchasing and developing land for entire Habitat subdivisions. To date, the Jam has raised over 2.3 million dollars for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. This year’s Christmas Jam House will be built in Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity’s newest neighborhood, Curry Court in Candler, which will become home to 12 families and will include both single family homes as well as townhomes. Proceeds from past concerts were put toward the infrastructure and development of Curry Court, will fund the construction of the first house in that neighborhood (the 2018 Christmas Jam House) and will provide a challenge match grant on each of the 12 lots.
“Xmas Jam By Day” events and concerts will pop up around Asheville and feature special collaborations alongside some of the best local musicians plus the annual art show. Attendees will also have the opportunity to give back during the annual “Before The Jam, Lend A Hand” event where fans, staff and artists come together and volunteer to help build the houses made possible by Christmas Jam donations. Stay up-to-date on Christmas Jam info as more details are announced on the website www.xmasjam.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.