After a particularly collaborative day one, the 30th annual Christmas Jam reached new heights on Saturday, with a crossover between the worlds of rock and roll and jam as Dave Grohl joined Gov’t Mule for a three-part opener of “Rocking In The Free World” and an instrumental “Machine Gun” which segued back into “Rocking In The Free World.”

In fact, Gov’t Mule and Grohl have a surprising shared history. Following 9/11, the band gave Grohl’s mother a cross-country ride on their tour bus so she could be with Dave during such uncertain times.

Following that blistering opener, the guests kept coming for Mule’s set at the Asheville, NC venue. The Better Half Singers added extra vocals to Mule originals “Million Miles From Yesterday” and “Dreams & Songs.” The crowd was also treated to jazz guitarist Mike Barnes and tenor saxophonist/Warren Haynes band veteran Ron Holloway on Billy Cobham’s “Red Baron.”

Mule closed their single set with their namesake tune “Mule,” featuring Halloway and North Carolina native/Christmas Jam veteran Audley Freed.

Earlier, the crowd at the U.S. Cellular Center was treated to performances by Warren Haynes & The 45 Cherry Band, Joe Bonnamassa, Edwin McCain, Tyler Ramsey and Joanne Shaw Taylor, as well as a Jim James set featuring a full backing band (a rarity compared to his recent, acoustic solo tour). Gov’t Mule drummer Mike Abts also led a special Planet of the Abst set.

As always, Haynes was a constant presence, jamming acoustically with Grohl on the Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These” and joining Eric Church & The XJ House Band for a batch of covers like the Allman Brothers’ “Ain’t Waisting Time No More,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City,” Bo Diddley’s “Diddy Wah Diddy” and The Band’s “The Weight.”

Watch Grohl and Gov’t Mule jam on “Rocking In The Free World” and check out Xmas Jam setlists below:

Gov’t Mule
December 8, 2018
Warren Haynes presents The 30th Annual Christmas Jam, U.S. Cellular Center Asheville, Asheville, NC

Rocking In The Free World*, Machine Gun (Instrumental)* > Rocking In The Free World*, Thorazine Shuffle ,Revolution Come, Revolution Go, Million Miles From Yesterday^, Dreams & Songs^, Red Baron^^, Mule^^^

Notes:

*with Dave Grohl

^with The Better Half Singers (Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)

^^with Mike Barnes & Ron Holloway

^^^with Audley Freed and Ron Holloway

Source: Mule.net

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Warren Haynes & The 45 Cherry Band

Just Before The Bullets Fly (Mike Barnes, Rocky Lindsley, Jim Mascari & Johnny Jump)
One (Rocky Lindsley, Jim Mascari, Jeff Anders & Johnny Jump)
Soulshine (Rocky Lindsley, Jim Mascari, Jack Mascari & Philip Ashley)

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Warren Haynes

The Real Thing
If Heartaches Were Nickels with Joe Bonnamassa

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Joe Bonnamassa

Beck’s Bolero / Rice Pudding
Spanish Boots
SWLABR
Tea For One / I Can’t Quit You Baby
How Many More Times >
The Hunter >
How Many More Times

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Edwin McCain

I’ve Seen A Love
The Friend Song with Kevn Kinney
I Shall Be Released with Kevn Kinney & Warren Haynes

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Tyler Ramsey

1000 Blackbirds
Isn’t It A Pity with Jimmy Vivino

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Jim James

Just A Fool
Throwback
You Get To Roam
Here In Spirit
Over & Over
No Use Waiting
No Secrets
A New Life >
State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U)

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Joanne Shaw Taylor

with Rocky Lindsley & Johnny Jump

Mud Honey
No Reason To Stay
Time Has Come
Going Down

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Dave Grohl

with Alain Johannes, Chris Chaney, Drew Hester, Greg Kurstin, Jason Falkner & Barrett Jones

Play

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Planet Of The Abts

Off The Hook
I’m Telling You
Children Of The Revolution

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Eric Church

Desperate Man
Record Year
Carolina
Smoke A Little Smoke

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Eric Church with Warren Haynes & The XJ House Band

Audley Freed, Rocky Lindsley, Jen Gunderman, Jimmy Vivino & Robert Kearns

Ain’t Waisting Time No More
Atlantic City
Diddy Wah Diddy
The Weight

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Warren Haynes & Dave Grohl:
Times Like These

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Dave Grohl
Everlong

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XJ House Band

Audley Freed, Rocky Lindsley, Jen Gunderman, Jimmy Vivino & Robert Kearns

Merry Christmas Baby
Can’t Find My Way Home >
I Know You Rider
Covered By An Underground Umbrella with Kevn Kinney