The Warren Haynes Christmas Jam released the lineup for its 30th annual concert, featuring a packed lineup of Dave Grohl, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, G’ovt Mule and more. To fit all these performers, organizers announced that the concert will be expanding to two nights when it takes over the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina on December 7 and 8.
Besides the headliners, the concert will include a plethora of musical acts. Night one will be headlined by Dark Side of the Mule, a Pink Floyd cover band made up of Gov’t Mule. Also, performing will be Grace Potter, Jamey Johnson, Marco Benevento and Mike Gordon.
Night two will be played by Grohl, who will be performing his progressive rock epic “Play”, with some unnamed “friends.” The last night will also include Eric Church, Gov’t Mule, Jim James and Joe Bonamassa. The announcement for the event also promises “special guests” Audley Freed, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jimmy Vivino, Mike Barnes, Robert Kearns, Ron Halloway and more.
The Christmas Jam was originally started by Warren Haynes in 1988. Haynes, who played with the Allman Brothers Band and is a founding member of Gov’t Mule, started the event to play a small concert with friends. Eventually, they decided to start raising money for charity. Since then, the concert has grown massively in size and has become one of the longest-running concerts in the country and works closely with the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
Haynes, who grew up in Asheville, commented on the 30-year anniversary and how the concert has grown over the years:”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,” said Haynes, “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.
Since the concert’s inception, it has managed to draw some of the biggest acts in music. Over the years, the concert has drawn a mix of rock legends and modern icons. Older performers include artists, such as Greg Allman, Peter Frampton and the Steve Miller Band. Modern performers include Sheryl Crowe and one of this year’s acts Jim James.
Besides performing at Christmas Jam, James is releasing his new acoustic album, Uniform Clarity that was released on Oct. 25. He also announced a fall tour named “The Future is Voting Tour”, which is meant to encourage young fans to participate in elections.
Pre-sale tickets will go on sale Oct. 19, and regular ticket sales going on sale Oct. 26. Tickets to this event can be purchased here.
Photo Credit: Brett Padleford
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