Ahead of his beloved Christmas Jam at ExploreAsheville.com Arena on Saturday, Warren Haynes kicked off a weekend of holiday festivities in his hometown of Asheville, NC with the Christmas Jam Pre Jam at The Orange Peel on Friday. In addition to sets from Haynes, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, MJ Lenderman & The Wind, and more, the evening featured the debut of Triple Wide, a new trio comprised of Donato on guitar, Gov’t Mule‘s Kevin Scott on bass, and Widespread Panic‘s Duane Trucks on drums.
Haynes opened the benefit show supporting Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and BeLoved Asheville solo before welcoming Appalachian folk trio Songbird Holler and Grahame Lesh. He then passed the baton off to Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country.
Warren Haynes (With Special Guests Songbird Holler & Grahame Lesh) – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC – 12/12/25
[Video: Iam AVL]
Warren Haynes (With Special Guests Songbird Holler & Grahame Lesh) – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC – 12/12/25 [Full Set]
[Audio: Zmanatl]
After Donato, MJ Lenderman, another Asheville native, performed a set of alt-country indie rock with his band The Wind. One of the Pre Jam’s major highlights then arrived with Triple Wide’s live debut. Check out fan-shot footage and listen to the full set below.
Triple Wide – “All Along The Watchtower” (Bob Dylan) – 12/12/25
[Video: Cocktails]
Triple Wide – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC – 12/12/25
[Audio: Zmanatl]
Haynes returned to the stage for a Warren Haynes & Friends set featuring Gov’t Mule’s Danny Louis on keys, Kevin Scott on bass, and Warren Haynes Band‘s Greg Osby on sax. Aquarium Rescue Unit alum Jeff Sipe played drums on the opening “Tear Me Down” before ceding the drum throne to Duane Trucks for Freddie King‘s “Big Legged Woman” and “Desdemona”. Sipe then returned to finish the set, along with Asheville guitarist Mike Barnes, with John Scofield‘s “Hottentot” and Steely Dan‘s “Pretzel Logic”.
Warren Haynes & Friends – “Big Legged Woman” (Freddie King) – 12/12/25
[Video: Cocktails]
After a short break, Haynes returned again for his third set of the night, joined by Donato, Grahame Lesh, keyboardist Jason Crosby, drummer John Molo, and Osby. Wielding what appeared to be Jerry Garcia‘s Wolf guitar, Haynes led the band through a set of Grateful Dead favorites, offering a preview of their highly anticipated Phil Lesh tribute (which will take place at Saturday’s Christmas Jam). Listen to the full set below.
Warren Haynes Christmas Pre Jam Grateful Dead Set – 12/12/25
[Audio: Zmanatl]
The entire Warren Haynes Christmas Jam Pre Jam is available to stream until December 14th via volume.com. The Christmas Jam will take place tonight, Saturday, December 13th at ExploreAsheville.com Arena with performances by Warren Haynes & Friends and a tribute to Phil Lesh, Stone Temple Pilots, MJ Lenderman, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, and more. Tickets are still available via Ticketmaster.