WARREN HAYNES TEAMS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR XMAS JAM

Warren Haynes was at it again this year as he brought together another incredible lineup of musicians for his annual Xmas Jam, which takes place each December in Asheville, North Carolina. For Warren’s 18th installment the lineup featured Dave Matthews, Gov’t Mule, Taj Mahal, The John Popper Project, Marty Stuart, some very special guests and of course Warren’s customary kick off solo performance as well. For close to two decades Warren has seen Xmas Jam grow each year and has seen millions of dollars donated to multiple charities throughout the years. But over the last few years, Warren has teamed with Habitat for Humainty and to date over $500,000 dollars has been raised for the Ashville Chapter of the Habitat for Humanity.

We caught up with Warren recently to discuss his admiration for Habitat and how much he’s seen his Xmas Jam evolve.

“Habitat for Humanity is an organization that I’ve admired for a very long time. Xmas Jam started out in a small club, then moved to a bigger club, then moved to a theater and then eventually we moved to the Civic Center which holds 7,000 people. In the beginning we used a lot of different charities. We raised money for homeless people, Vietman Vets, for Aids victims and a lot of different notable charities. But once we stumbled upon Habitat we just stuck with it and it’s been a wonderful experience. They’re an organization that I just feel like the money goes where it’s supposed to go and people work hard and they’re very respected. We’re doing a lot of things to try and help that organization along because they are world wide doing amazing things.”

There have been many legendary Xmas Jam collaborations and special guests and this year was no different as Haynes was joined on stage with Dave Schools, Ivan Neville, Branford Marsallis, members of Umphreys McGee, Col. Bruce Hampton, Audley Freed, George Porter and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. Gov’t Mule will once again be playing both nights at the Wanee Festival in Live Oak, FL with The Allman Brothers on April 13th and 14th. You can also check out Warren performing with The Allman Brothers will once again be gracing the Beacon Theatre between March 22nd and April 7th.