As Asheville, N.C. fights to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, the jam community is steadily sending support to its hotspot in the Tar Heel State. Among the latest bands to step up for the crisis is Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, who were set to take the stage at the beloved Salvage Station for a two-night run on Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5. The premiere Grateful Dead cover ensemble has now officially canceled its engagement, and will present a series of webcasts for disaster relief in its place.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead will still assume the spotlight next on Thursday, Oct. 3 at Charlottesville, Va.’s Ting Pavilion. This performance will now be accompanied by a pay-per-view benefit webcast, so fans can experience the show from home while supporting Asheville disaster relief. Rather than venturing to the city this weekend–and facing countless closed roads and risking interference in recovery efforts along the way–the band will continue to raise funds through two further streams; on Friday and Saturday, JRAD will share never-before-seen concert recordings to nugs.net, with stream revenue going to the same disaster relief fund.

The band will offer further details on its charity webcasts as the set dates approach. In closing today’s dispatch, the ensemble writes, “Our hearts go out to everyone in Asheville and the surrounding areas devastated by this storm and we look forward to returning to this incredible community soon.”

After its Charlottesville appearance and streams this weekend, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead will return for a West Coast run from Oct. 24-26, taking the stage for two nights at Oakland, Calif.’s Fox Theater then rushing down the coast to The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The band will wrap its year as planned with a November series in the Mid-Atlantic and a Midwest trio in early December. For tickets and more information, visit joerussosalmostdead.com

JRAD’s venue for this weekend, Salvage Station, announced its permanent closure at the end of its 2024 season earlier this year. Read more about the venue’s history and the eminent domain claim against it here.