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9th September 2024Warren Haynes is an icon in the music scene – whether with The Allman Brothers Band or Gov’t Mule or hosting his annual Christmas Jam benefit show for Habitat for Humanity in his home of Asheville he always brings something unique and unexpected to each performance.
The Allman Brothers Band
At their height, the Allman Brothers Band was one of rock music’s premier live acts. Their concerts combined elements of jam band, southern rock and blues. Led by Duane Allman (slide guitar), Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals) and Berry Oakley (bass), their founders excelled at crossing genre boundaries while producing breathtaking solos.
Highlight of their heyday was their run at New York City‘s Beacon Theater, playing 19 shows consecutively there from 1965-1969 and making these Beacon runs a New York spring tradition (Rolling Stone music critic David Fricke even claimed that spring wasn’t truly here until you’d witnessed an Allmans “peakin’ at the Beacon”).
Haynes, best known as an Allman Brothers Band member and Gov’t Mule co-founder, specializes in the genres of funk, rock and soul. His latest project Man in Motion draws heavily upon this musical background; featuring world-class musicians including bassist George Porter Jr. of Gov’t Mule fame as well as Keyboardist Ivan Neville of GNR fame as well as Drummer Raymond Webber from New Orleans R&B fame.
Gov’t Mule
Gov’t Mule, comprised of Allman Brothers Band alumni members, blends improvisational jamming with American blues music. First emerging on the scene in 1994, Gov’t Mule has since become a regular presence at music festivals – often performing alongside guest performances from other notable groups.
Gov’t Mule made its debut with 1995’s Gov’t Mule album and first single, Blind Man in the Dark. Their 1998 follow-up, Dose, ventured further into blues music with tracks such as Thorazine Shuffle that showcased drummer Matt Abts’ percussion versatility.
Heavy Load Blues by this group’s 2021 release delves deep into all facets of blues music. The album includes legendary artists such as Howlin’ Wolf and Elmore James as well as more unusual artists like Ann Peebles and Bobby “Blue” Bland for an eclectic sound; additionally they cover original tracks to provide variety to their set list.
The Christmas Jam
Warren Haynes of Asheville and longtime Allman Brothers Band member is responsible for bringing some of the country’s most celebrated musicians together each December for his annual Christmas Jam benefit concert, now in its 30th year and raising money for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and beLoved Asheville.
As many of these performances are unplanned and unique, each show can become truly extraordinary. For example, Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones joined Michael Franti during an acoustic set in 2008 for an unforgettable rendition of “Fly Like an Eagle”, made popular in Space Jam.
Casey Driessen, bassist Taylor Lee and drummer Jeff Sipe’s collaboration was truly incredible, perhaps the highlight of any Christmas Jam event ever. Their rendition of Bobby Bland’s “Soulgrass” proved both powerful and uplifting for audience members – three musicians connected on an exceptional level that will never happen again.
Warren Haynes Band
Haynes has become one of rock music’s most cherished musicians through his time with both Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule, earning the respect of many other groups like David Allan Coe’s Dickey Betts Band as well as hosting his annual Christmas Jam benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity in Asheville, North Carolina.
On his new record, Man In Motion (Concord Records), Haynes draws upon a range of influences to craft melodies that bridge past and present, uniting timeless themes like love and loss with contemporary energy. Haynes has earned himself an unmatched reputation as both singer and guitarist within three of rock history’s legendary live bands; now with Man In Motion he finally gets his chance at creating vocal-driven records like Man In Motion that fulfill his longtime dream to become a musician.
