The U.S. Cellular Center announced that the annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, which has been an Asheville tradition for three decades, is off this year. The multi-day festival is the largest annual benefit for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, and draws talent from the region and the country, including Foo Fighters’ lead singer Dave Grohl, who performed last year. There is good news: The Christmas Jam is scheduled to return in 2020. 🎶 And, Haynes and the W&S Charitable Foundation have donated $400,000 to Habitat as a show of their support of the organization. Haynes shared that he felt the time was right to take a brief pause before returning next year.
Haynes – an Asheville native and former member of the Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule and The Dead –held the first jam in 1988. It was a fundraiser (they raised $1,700 for a hurricane relief project) and also a way for him to reunite with musicians friends coming home for the holidays. The first show was called “The Christmas Jam: Musician’s X-Mas Reunion” and was held at a local club.
After a few years and as the jam grew, the organizers decided to donate 100% of the proceeds to the same charity each year – Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. . And, as crowds expanded, the event was moved to the Civic Center (now the U.S. Cellular Center) – which has a seating capacity of 8,600 people. The Jam has historically sold out every year.
Here’s a timeline of the Christmas Jam –
- 1988 – The first Christmas Jam takes place in Asheville.
- 1998 – Proceeds start going to Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity each year. Over 40 houses have been built so far from Jam fundraising.
- 2002 – Asheville mayor Charles Worley presents Warren with a key to the city.
- 2008 – The first two-night Christmas Jam happens, and includes a daytime event. called “Christmas Jam by Day” in celebration of the 20-year anniversary of the event.
- 2009 – The Jam includes the “Christmas Comedy Jam” for the first time.
- 2018 – The multi-day Jam celebrates its 30th year. After a snowstorm hits town, several musicians are stranded, and Dave Grohl and Warren play a surprise “Post Jam Snow Party” at The Orange Peel. The highlight comes when they play Nirvana’s “All Apologies.”
Artists who have performed at the Jam include Ben Harper, Michael Franti, Steve Earle, Haynes’ band Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers, Grace Potter, Jason Isbell + more. As of last year, the Jam has raised $2.7 million for Habitat.
In September, Warren’s brother Brian Haynes was fired from his position as assistant manager (and 13-year employee) of Habitat for protesting the company’s drug test policy. Warren publicly has said he disagrees with the policy but was still committed to the Christmas Jam.
While this announcement comes as a shock for all Ashevillieans, we’re excited to see what 2020 will bring. In the meantime, we’ll keep you posted on all of the best holiday shows + events happening in the 828 in our PlanAhead guides and upcoming conversations. And, while you’re looking out for details of the next Jam, you can grab a Sierra Nevada Christmas Jam Session Ale, lend a hand with Habitat to build homes, or shop at BeLoved Asheville’s Christmas Jam Pop-up Store. Check out more Jam-related and inspired events here.
