And to All a Good Night- The Warren Haynes' 28th Annual Christmas Jam 12/9-10/16 Asheville,NC.

 The Christmas Jam Gift Dec 9/10 
 Orange Peel and US Cellular Center - Asheville, NC

Warren Haynes’ 28th Annual Christmas Jam was a Gift for all. The annual benefit raised $2 Million for the Asheville, NC area Habitat for Humanity, fans were given a very special gift from the many spectacular musicians, and amazing collaborations on Friday Dec. 9th and Saturday Dec. 10th…… the musicians clearly were in the giving spirit.  

Twas the night before Christmas Jam, Jammers were arriving from far and near, with hopes that Jam would soon be here. The Orange Peel and WNCW hosted the Pre-Jam show, it kicked off the weekend of gifts for the fans. Warren opened with a Merry “Thank You” and the show began. All the Jammers were nestled all snug in their spots with visions of dancing bears in their thoughts.

Now, Warren Haynes! Now, American Babies! Now, George Porter Jr, Terence Higgins, Eric Krasno and Danny Louis! On, Jamey Johnson and Allison Krauss! On, Marcus King Band! On, Bob Weir and Friends; Holly Bowling, Tom Hamilton, Duane Trucks, and Don Was! On Gov’t Mule and Friends! Now dance away! Dance away! Dance away all! 

  

Saturday night was upon us and The US Cellular Center was stirring, not a frown in the house. Twas no longer the night before Christmas Jam, the day had arrived. The seats were filling by the stage with care, in hopes that Warren and friends soon would be there.The lights on the new-fallen stage show, gave luster to the instruments below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Warren Haynes and a roar of a cheer. Warren reminded us of these gifts and why we are here.

 

So down with the house lights, the Jammers they flew, the stage full of musicians and Warren Haynes too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard in my ear, the sounds of Christmas Jam for the 28th year.

Favorite Christmas Jam Gifts-

American Babies - Old Time Religion 

Marcus King Band - Keep Moving 

Holly Bowling - Sugaree 

       Warren Haynes -  The Real Thing

       Jamey Johnson and Allison Krauss - When You Say Nothing At All
       
       Porter, Krasno, Medeski, Higgins, Marsalis and Marcus King - Just Kissed            My Baby 
  
       Michael McDonald with Krasno - Takin' It To The Streets

          
       Bob Weir - Easy to Slip 

       Bob Weir/Allison Krauss - Peggy-O

       Last Waltz Band - The Weight

          
       Last Waltz Band - Up On Cripple Creek

Last Waltz Band - King Harvest

     Gov’t Mule - 32/20 Blues (Rocky Lindsley, Mike Barnes, Marcus King & Smoky Greenwell)

Christmas Jam 2016 provided the fans with some of the best collaborations we have heard. There are many significant call outs; Jamey Johnson and Allison Krauss duet silenced the crowd for 2 nights; Holly Bowling’s magical arrangements on piano where something not often heard; Bob Weir with Warren Haynes, Holly Bowling and Branford Marsalis; Bob Weir and Allison Krauss; The Last Waltz Band with Bob Weir and Allison Krauss; Gov’t Mule, two drummers playing in Grateful Dead style with Paul Riddle (from Marshall Tucker Band) and Duane Trucks for Dreams and Mountain Jam. Needless to say, faces were appropriately melted in Asheville.

 

 

I heard him exclaim, as there was a fade of the lights;  Happy Christmas Jam to all, and to all a good-night! 

Words and Photos by: Neil Peek

Edited by: Greg Heffelfinger

© 2016 Grateful Music LLC