Warren Haynes' Annual Xmas Jam

WARREN HAYNES PRESENTS: THE TWENTIETH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS JAM

(Asheville, NC) --For the past 20 years, Warren Haynes has coordinated his annual Christmas Jam. Like a family reunion, the annual, one-of-a-kind, semi-structured marathon of music brings together old friends on stage and in the audience at the Civic Center Arena in Asheville, N.C. for one of the countries greatest live events. The London Times has rated it "One of the top ten concerts in the USA."

"Christmas Jam started 20 years ago as an opportunity for local musicians to jam at the one time of year they were all in town at the same time. Back then, we gave the money to whatever charity we felt like. As the event grew and we became aware of Habitat For Humanity, we settled on them because we believe in the organization and know the money goes where its supposed to."

Featuring:
Steve Miller Band
The Warren Haynes Band
Gregg Allman
John Bell (Widespread Panic)
Umphrey's McGee
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Missing Cats

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John Paul Jones, Allman Brothers, Derek Trucks Noodle ‘Til Dawn at Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam

Guitarist Warren Haynes’ annual Christmas Jams are known for their jaw-dropping “wow” moments, but this year’s star-studded, 20th anniversary throw-down — held December 12th and 13th in Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, North Carolina — had more than usual. The one that silenced the 7,200 partiers who packed the Asheville Civic Center on the first night came when Haynes and one of his rock & roll heroes, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, appeared onstage together and played a stirring, acoustic guitar and mandolin version of the Zeppelin classic, “Going to California.”

When Haynes changed the lyrics to “Going to Carolina with an aching in my heart,” the crowd erupted. The duet came about three-quarters of the way into the Friday night show, which began with a performance by Haynes’ band Gov’t Mule, at about 7 p.m., and didn’t end until more than nine hours later, at 4:20 a.m. Saturday morning, when Haynes’ other group, the Allman Brothers Band, hit the last note of “One Way Out.”

Sandwiched in between were performances from the Derek Trucks Band, Joan Osborne, country singer Travis Tritt, bluegrass king Del McCoury jamming with gospel group the Lee Boys, and New Orleans funk band Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk. On Saturday night, Haynes, who sat in with every act on both nights, did it all over again, this time with Ben Harper, Steve Earle, Coheed & Cambria, Johnny Winter and and a slew of guests including Susan Tedeschi and Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood.

For 26-year-old fan Jeremy Hargett, who drove 10 hours, from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, it’s a Southern rock family reunion he hasn’t missed for the past five years. “Warren does this for people who still love live music,” Hargett said during Osborne’s set. “It’s like a big family of musicians and fans that we’re all a part of. And you always see something that just blows you away.”

Merrimon Avenue Then and Now

I'm back after having breakfast at the Atlanta Bread Company on Merrimon Ave (Asheville), which has been there about 3 years now. Actually, some people who've left Asheville would be surprised to see how little Merrimon Avenue has changed. Years ago on this corner of Merrimon and Edgewood is where the Brass Tap, Caesar's and the Human Factor once stood. All the same place, just different ownership.

It was a laid back bar with live music. You could walk in with your guitar and get called up to join the band or get asked to come up and sing harmony.

It was an intimate musician's place where single pickers and bands came to play on Open Mic nights or were booked for a set. Guitar builders, songwriters and wicked blues musicians were showcased all the way to New York and Nashville.

Local heros like Malcolm Holcombe, Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule), Ray Sisk, Joey Freeman, Bruce McTaggart, Steve Cook and a few others. Ronnie Burgin, who has since passed on, may have been the best blues guitar player/singer I ever did see. Sober or not.

But back to Merrimon Avenue. It is still the same small 4-lane road with a few new banks and restaurants, but Merrimon Avenue basically looks the same way it did 20 years ago when I met my husband at The Brass Tap.

x-posted to Easy Bake Coven

Asheville Music Jamboree

At Deerfield's, on May 23-25 2008, the Asheville Music Jamboree will embrace that diversity and beauty, inviting patrons from all walks of life to enjoy an eclectic mix of world-class entertainment and to celebrate a unique sense of community in an intimate setting of rolling hills and bountiful apple orchards.

AMJam is excited to announce the BEST 3-day music festival in Western North Carolina featuring Asheville’s favorite son, Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule!

We are truly excited about AMJam 2008.....you don't want to miss this years festival. Be sure to check back in and get your tickets to AMJam 2008." MySpace

Christmas Jam

Grammy-winning rock hero Warren Haynes is home for the annual sold-out Christmas Jam on Saturday night at the Asheville Civic Center.

The pre-jam show: Friday night (December 14) at The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. It’s sold out, but you can listen at home 6-11 p.m. on WNCW-FM/88.7.

Tickets are gone for the 2007 Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, Dec. 15 at the Asheville Civic Center. The concert, hosted by Grammy-winning Asheville native Haynes, features such stars as Jackson Browne, Peter Frampton, Bruce Hornsby, Stockholm Syndrome, G Love and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Haynes’ jam rock band Gov’t Mule also plays. The concert will benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Warren and his wife, Stefani Scamardo, just dashed over to London to catch the Led Zeppelin reunion show before heading back here for Friday night’s pre-jam at The Orange Peel and the Saturday night main show at the Civic Center. And Dec. 28-31, Haynes and his band Gov’t Mule play the Beacon Theatre in New York.

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