Sunnie Rae Crushes Christmas Jam “26

It’s’ time for another edition of Warren Hayne’s Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina. For the third year, the Wranglers have been invited to join the fun. Thanks to the Asheville crowd that helped out with photographs. This is your Christmas miracle. You know her. You love her. Sunnie Rae Crushes Christmas Jam “26. The following comes straight out of Sunnie’s notes from Christmas Jam.

“Jam by Day downtown, Asheville at Jack Of The Wood, Asheville Music Hall & One Stop

Music Hall: Red Clay Revivial, The Snozberries, Cody Jasper, Bob, New Dawn Orchestra

One Stop: Nick Mac & The Noise, Doobe & the accomplices, Solvivor, Coyote Rodeo, Joe Marcenick Band Feat. Jason Hann, Josh Clark, Marcus White & more…

While Songwriters were Rounding up at Jack Of The Wood the wooks were wrangling at Asheville Music Hall & One Stop. The festivities started the night before at the Orange Peel. Gill Francis played the One Stop and an Allstar cast of Asheville musicians joined Melissa McKinney at the Music Hall and closed the night with Joe Marcineck and Friends…

After staying up all night Day zero, it felt wrong to be at the One Stop so early, normally the place doesn’t open til dark but never the less its Time for Christmas Jam by Day!

Reporting begins during Coyote Rodeo packing out the One Stop downstairs with rip roaring Bluegrass Originals and Covers. Ashevilles hottest new Jamgrass Band takes the scene & the foots get stompin’. Featuring James Schlender on fiddle the whole set and sit in by Jason Hann.

As New Dawn Starkestra is raging in the Music Hall wooks start appearing from the woodworks with kittens on shoulders and Rebekka Todd is blowing folks away with her powerhouse voice Workin on a Buildin. Featuring Isaac Haden, Quinn Sternberg and local legend Jeff Sipes. They play a heavy set paying homage to the late and great Colonel Bruce Hampton.

Joe Marcenick, Jason Hann, Josh Clark and Marcus White declare “It was a good day” You know its a good day when Marcus White breaks the key board! Time to head to Harrah’s Cherokee center for a 7 hour Marathon Christmas Jam begins.

Songbird Holler sings us into the escapade with roots music and that true Appalachia sound with miced Instruments and Clawhammer banjo action. Singing sweetly “I’ve Endured” by Ola Belle Reed. With family ties to Allman Brothers and The Grateful Dead they close out the set harmonizing on Cold Rain and Snow with Warren Haynes and Graham Lesh!

Daniel Donato warms up the big stage with a 4 song set. Bringing the unc in disco country he quite literally rocks his hat off during Dance in the Desert for his first arena set and last show of the year.

Edwin McCain and Warren Haynes 20 min set on the side stage was like a blast back in Millenials love life brought us all into highschool dance flashback with “I’ll Be”.

Asheville’s hometown hero MJ Lenderman & The Wind delivered an elegant set of originals bangers off of albums Manning Fireworks & Boat Songs.

Indie Alt vibes meets Christmas Jam with originals like Rudolph, Shes Leaving You, Wristwatch, Riptorn and You Have Bought Yourself A Boat. Might not have been everybodies cup of tea but there was a lot of hype and Chad loved it!

Back to the side stage with Cody Jasper opening up with Paranoid by Black Sabbath. Stone Temple Pilots straight “worked it” playing all the fans favorites and bringing nostalgia amongst the crowd with hits like “Plush” and “Interstate Love Song” closing the set with “Sex Type Thing”.

They soon slip down to the side stage to join Warren and Maggie Rose with everyones panties dropping as she sings “Angel From Montgomery”. Closing that Set with “Mississippi Queen”

Turns out Warren Haynes has more Friends on the Main Stage where the Jams truly commenced! Louis from Govt Mule, Kevin Scott, Greg Osby keeping it saxy, with local legend Jeff Sipe on drums and  “The” Duane Trucks back up Warren and they slay the whole set including hits from The Allman Brothers “Dreams” & “Whipping Post”. He’s still got it yall! 

Last Side Stage act members from MOE. Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico got sentimental about the American Songbook and preserving our beautiful tapestry of folk music playing Sylvio>Peggy-O and Like A Rolling Stone. Topping off the night with a beautiful and well executed tribute to Phil Lesh!

Comin in with China Cat>Rider, and Cumberland Blues. Maggie Rose hits the highs on Sugaree melting faces and hearts. During Darkstar you can find the Billy Tour Kids and retired Asheville Dead Heads barefoot spinning in the back over sticky floors with spilt beer and candycane juice. Graham does justice to his father during Unbroken Chain and Box Of Rain. Not fuckin it up at all.

Slowdance to Stella Blue and every silver linings got a Touch of Grey…They played another song too, whats that other one? ALL IN ALL we made it through the night drunk enough to not feel the cold. We lost Brandi and her phone is dead but I’m sure well find her at home.”