As Asheville prepares to celebrate the silver anniversary of the Christmas Jam, the musical lineup keeps getting better and better.
Organizers announced Nov. 25 that rock legend Gregg Allman will perform throughout the weekend. On Friday night, Dec. 13, Allman will play an acoustic set with Warren Haynes. On Saturday night, Dec. 14, he’ll play an electric set with Haynes and other guests.
A couple of weeks ago, southern jam heavyweight band Widspread Panic was added to the bill.
Tickets are still available at the US Cellular Center box office and online here. Proceeds from the concerts go to benefit the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
In the meantime, you can grab a Christmas Jam Session Ale at stores throughout WNC. Asheville Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing companies collaborated to produce the special beer in honor of the event.
Here’s the press release from organizers with more details on the growing festivities:
GREGG ALLMAN AND WIDESPREAD PANIC ADDED TO WARREN HAYNES PRESENTS: THE 25th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS JAM
Daily Line-Up Announced For The Special Two-Night Music Event, Benefitting Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
DECEMBER 13th & 14th AT ASHEVILLE NC’S US CELLULAR CENTER
Christmas Jam and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Partner to Create Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Christmas Jam Session Ale Available Throughout Western North Carolina Now
November 25, 2013 – New York, NY – Gregg Allman and Widespread Panic have been added to the line-up for Warren Haynes Presents: The 25th Annual Christmas Jam, the highly anticipated two-night Silver Anniversary celebration marking this special milestone. It will take place December 13th and 14th at Asheville, NC’s US Cellular Center. Gregg Allman will perform both nights. Widespread Panic, who will be making their first full-band appearance at the Christmas Jam, will perform on December 13th. One of the greatest and longest running live concerts in the U.S., the shows will benefit the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity for the 15th year in a row.
Additionally, the line-up for each day has been revealed and is as follows, in alphabetical order (subject to change):
Friday December 13, 2013: Gov’t Mule, Gregg Allman & Warren Haynes Acoustic, Keb Mo, Phil Lesh Quintet, The John Scofield Uberjam Band, Widespread PanicSaturday December 14, 2013: Aquarium Rescue Unit, Gov’t Mule, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Gregg Allman, Michael Franti, OAR, SCO-MULE (special collaboration between John Scofield and Gov’t Mule)
*Special guests including Bill Evans, Ike Stubblefield, Kevn Kinney, Marc Quinones, Mike Barnes, Randall Bramblett, Ron Holloway and Roosevelt Collier will also appear throughout the two-night event.
VIP tickets and travel packages are sold out. A limited number of General Admission tickets are still available in person at the US Cellular Center box office and online through http://goo.gl/OGntVg. Doors open at 6pm and the show begins at 7pm each night. For up-to-the minute updates, please visit www.xmasjam.com and www.facebook.com/xmasjam or follow @xmasjam on Twitter.
In other news, Christmas Jam has partnered this year with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., one of America’s premier craft breweries based in Chico, CA, to create a limited edition 25th Anniversary Christmas Jam Session Ale. Sierra Nevada will soon open a brewery in Mills River, NC, and it collaborated with one of its new neighbors, Asheville Brewing Co., on the anniversary beer. It’s available now throughout Western North Carolina and will be available on tap during the shows. It is a hop-driven, easy-going session ale with cool notes of citrus and pine alongside bright fruity aromas. This medley balances against a light, toasty malt backbone for jam-worthy drinkability.
About The 25th Annual Christmas Jam
Curated and presented by the legendary, Grammy Award-winning vocalist-guitarist Warren Haynes, the Christmas Jam is not only a one-of-a-kind music marathon that brings together old friends both on and off the stage. Since its inception 25 years ago, the concert has provided an opportunity for the performing artists, audience and the local community to give back during the holiday season. Over the past 15 years, Haynes has worked closely with the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. Through proceeds from the annual Christmas Jam concert, which thrives on the generous support of volunteers, 24 families have become homeowners. Habitat for Humanity even named the main road into a 54-house sub-division “Warren Haynes Drive” to recognize his commitment to the cause. In May 2013, Haynes was presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from UNC Asheville for his work with the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
As has been the tradition for the past several years, the Christmas Jam is not just limited to the evening concerts. There is a slew of “Xmas Jam By Day” events including daytime concerts and an art show as well as “Before The Jam Lend A Hand,” where volunteers can help build the houses made possible by Christmas Jam donations. Complete details on these events will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
About Warren HaynesVisionary Grammy Award-winning artist Warren Haynes is a true American treasure and a member of three of the greatest live groups in rock history: The Allman Brothers Band, The Dead and his own Gov’t Mule, which recently released a critically acclaimed, star-studded double-disc album Shout! on Blue Note Records. Named in Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” Haynes is lauded as one of the most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era. He is a beacon of creativity and excellence that inspires fans as well as fellow musicians, evidenced by the diverse array of artists that he has performed and recorded with, and his annual Christmas Jam benefit concert.
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Celebrating 30 years, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has welcomed more than 250 Buncombe County families to safe, decent and affordable houses since 1983. Habitat homes, which are Green Built North Carolina certified, are sold at no-profit to partner families who pay back a no-interest loan. The non-profit also offers a home repair program for low-income homeowners. Visit ashevillehabitat.org for more information.
About Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s premier craft breweries, highly regarded for using only whole-cone hops and the finest quality ingredients. The pioneering spirit that launched Sierra Nevada spans more than three decades, with innovation emerging from both the brewhouse and sustainability initiatives. Sierra Nevada has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for its extensive line of beers including Pale Ale, Torpedo®, Porter, Stout, Kellerweis® and a host of seasonal, specialty and limited release beers. Learn more at www.sierranevada.com.
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