The hugely popular Warren Haynes Christmas Jam will take a one-year hiatus from its annual concert celebration at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, N.C., according to an announcement posted today (Nov. 12) on the event’s official website, www.xmasjam.com.
After 30 years of hosting the event, Haynes and the W&S Charitable Foundation have decided to take a break that will “enable the team to build further upon Christmas Jam’s charitable reach and mission to best serve the needs of the Asheville community and return in 2020 with an exciting line-up and a weekend full of memorable music and Christmas Jam activities.”
In a statement on the website, Haynes said, “Since we started the Christmas Jam in 1988, it has grown in every way we wished for, and in many ways that we could have only hoped for when we first set out. After three decades and an amazing two-night 30th anniversary last year, it feels like the right time to take a brief moment to press pause. We have poured our heart and soul into creating this annual event and our commitment to serve the Asheville community and Habitat for Humanity remains strong.
“I am so grateful to our many partners that help us bring the community together around the Christmas Jam every year, including the city of Asheville, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, WNCW, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., CID Entertainment, all of our production partners, venues, hotels, and local businesses, our incredible staff and volunteers, and countless others. And, of course, all the fans who have supported the Christmas Jam. We can’t do it without you.
“I will certainly miss seeing you all this year. Christmas Jam has become such a special time for me, my family and our Asheville community and we look forward to continuing the tradition that we have all built together for many years to come. We are already planning a big show for 2020 and we can’t wait to share with you what’s in store. We will see you next year.”
The news comes on the heels of the recent announcement of a forthcoming album and film, “Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert Volume 16,” that will include highlights from the 2014 Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, including live music from an assortment of acclaimed artists ranging from Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and the Hard Working Americans to Marshall Tucker Band co-founder and Upstate music legend Paul Riddle & Friends.
Set to be released on Dec. 13 via Evil Teen Records, “The Benefit Concert Volume 16” will be available in several different configurations: CD/DVD package, digital album, standard CD, film, Blu-ray, double vinyl and digital film. The album features 10 songs while the film includes 16 songs.