Warren Haynes may have skipped his annual Christmas Jam in Asheville this year in favor of his SOULSHINE hurricane benefit blowout in New York, but his Gov’t Mule bandmate Kevin Scott still gathered an incredible lineup of musicians in the Southeast to celebrate the holidays and raise money for Backline and Georgia Music Foundation at his Funky Holiday Spectacular, which took place on Thursday at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse.

Among the more than 25 musicians to grace the stage were Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy, The Fearless Flyers), Kevin Kinney (Drivin N Cryin), and many more. Together, they played two sets that mixed funk, rock, and holiday classics.

Highlights of set one included holiday covers of Sharon Jones‘ “Funky Little Drummer Boy” featuring Ruby Velle, James Brown‘s “Santa Goes To The Ghetto” featuring Grant Green Jr., and Stevie Wonder‘s “What Christmas Means To Me” featuring Amanda Joy. The set concluded with an epic rendition of Phil Collins‘ “In The Air Tonight” featuring Jennifer Hartswick on vocals.

Set two leaned less heavily on Christmas material, kicking off with Kevin Kinney and Charlie Starr sitting in on Drivin’ n Crying‘s “Let’s Go Dancing”, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young‘s “Ohio”, and more. After a funky cover of Average White Band‘s “When Will You Be Mine” came a string of soul tunes, with Eddie 9v taking charge on his song “Halo”, Ruby Velle singing lead on Cold Blood‘s “If You Will”, and Jennifer Hartswick belting out Aretha Franklin‘s “What A Fool Believes” and Chaka Khan‘s “I Know You, I Live You”.

Charlie Starr and Duane Trucks helped dial up the energy as the band rocked out on Black Sabbath‘s “Children Of The Grave”, Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s “On The Hunt”, and Led Zeppelin‘s “Your Time Is Gonna Come” before wrapping up with Donny Hathaway‘s “This Christmas” and Neil Young‘s “Rockin’ In The Free World”.

The wide-ranging performance was a special holiday treat for attendees and proved Kevin Scott’s ability to curate a truly spectacular show. It also helped raise $15,000 for Backline and Georgia Music Foundation.

“Thank you to the incredible musicians who shared their talent and soul,” Kevin Scott wrote in a social media post after the concert. “Your creativity, camaraderie, and dedication elevated this event to something truly special. It’s a gift to work alongside such amazing artists, friends, and family. … This show wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s support, and I’m humbled to see how music can bring people together, especially during this magical time of year. Here’s to celebrating love, funk, and the power of community.

“Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a funky new year!”

Check out the full lineup and setlist below, along with full-show video and photos courtesy of Emily Butler.

Kevin Scott’s Funky Holiday Spectacular – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA – 12/19/24 – Full Video

[Video: Cosmic Hippo]

Setlist: Kevin Scott’s Funky Holiday Spectacular | Variety Playhouse | Atlanta, GA | 12/19/24
Set 1: Start, Greeting And Announcements By Matt Wilson, Damn Right I’m Somebody (Fred Wesley & the JBs), Funky Little Drummer Boy (Sharon Jones), Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Galactic), Sweet Love (Anita Baker), Santa Goes To The Ghetto (James Brown), Ball Of Confusion (Grant Green Jr.), What Christmas Means To Me (Stevie Wonder), What’s Love Got to Do with It (Tina Turner), Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Instrumental) (Tears for Fears/Mark Lettieri), Fire And Rain (Isely Brothers), The Christmas Song (John Edwards), Arrow Through Me (Paul McCartney & Wings), In The Air Tonight (Phil Collins)
Set 2: Let’s Go Dancing (Drivin’ n Crying), Half Mast (Kevin Kenny), Ohio (CSNY), Straight To Hell (Drivin’ n Crying), When Will You Be Mine (Average White Band), What About My Love (Johnnie Taylor), Halo (Eddie 9V), If You Will (Cold Blood), What A Fool Believes (Aretha Franklin), I Know You, I Live You (Chaka Khan), Children Of The Grave (Black Sabbath), On The Hunt (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Your Time Is Gonna Come (Led Zeppelin), This Christmas (Donny Hathaway), Rockin’ In The Free World (Neil Young)

Lineup:
Ruby Velle (vocals/percussion)
Mark Rivers (vocals)
Rob Lane (vocals)
Amanda Joy (vocals)
Brenda Nicole Moorer (vocals)
Emil Werstler (guitar)
Mark Lettieri (guitar)
Grant Green Jr. (guitar/vocals)
Kevin Kinney (guitar/vocals)
Charlie Starr (guitar/vocals)
Benji Shanks (guitar)
Eddie 9V (guitar/vocals)
Matt Slocum (keys)
Rhett Huffman (keys)
Spencer Pope (keys)
Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet/vocals)
Daniel Wytanis (trombone)
Ben Otieno (trumpet)
Jordan Shalloup (saxophone)
Mark Raudabaugh (drums)
Will Montgomery (drums)
Duane Trucks (drums)
Rafael Pereira (percussion)
Guarav Malhotra (percussion)
Kevin Scott (bass)