As is tradition, several collaborations took place at the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, held Saturday at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, NC. Warren jammed with Robert Randolph and the Family Band during Shake Your Hips. Haynes then sat in with moe. on Opium before Bob Weir joined for The Weight. The set concluded with Jack Straw, with Weir on guitar. Warren then performed with John Hiatt on Memphis in the Meantime. Bob Weir & Friends would eventually take the stage for a number of Grateful Dead songs, including Shakedown Street -> Baby Blue and Playin in the Band. That line-up featured Weir, Haynes, Dave Schools, Rob Barraco and John Molo.
Govt Mules set, which did not begin until roughly 1:30 a.m., included a version of Sco-Mule with John Smith (saxophone), DJ Logic (turntables), Mike Barnes (guitar) and Dr. Dan (organ). Audley Freed (guitar) then stepped in for No Quarter and was joined by Artimus Pyle (drums) for Simple Man. The show concluded around 3:30 a.m. with a rousing Lovelight that featured Freed, Logic, Dr. Dan, Robert Randolph, Barraco, Col. Bruce Hampton, Logic, Vinnie Amico, Al Schnier, Jack Mascari and Robert Kearns.
The show kicked off with Mayor Charles Worley of Asheville presenting Warren with the key to the city. Haynes response was I wonder if it fits the jail.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Habitat for Humanity.
On Friday night, many of the musicians performed at radio station WNCWs Pre-Jam Jam, a private event broadcast live from the Orange Peel in Asheville. The night featured acoustic and semi-acoustic sets by Warren, Sons of Ralph, Jerry Joseph, Kevn Kinney, moe. and Govt Mule. During Josephs set, Robert Randolph(dobro) sat in along with Schools and Haynes, who joined for Drive. Kinney then emerged for The Times They Are A Changin. Molo played drums with Mule for Beautifully Broken to close the night.
Govt Mule plays Monday, December 30 and Tuesday, December 31 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. For details, visit www.mule.net.