Warren Haynes originally organized the Christmas concert to gather musicians together in his hometown of Asheville, N.C. for a marathon of good music for a good cause. This year featured artists such as the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the Doobie Brothers, Electric Hot Tuna, Dawes, Blackberry Smoke and Bruce Hornsby.
Lighting designer Paul Hoffman created a simple design consisting of four snake-like trusses in addition to a loaded front and back truss, while a circle truss hung over the audience. Additional fixtures were placed on the floor to ensure that the dazzling lighting effects encompassed the entire space rather than just the stage itself.
A textured backdrop hung from the balcony from behind the stage, and as the show ran for nearly nine hours, Hoffman was directed to bring some 'backdrop excitement' to make sure the varying artists could all have distinct looks rather than repetition. "Upstage fixtures served dual-duty as air effects or backdrop effects," said Hoffman. "All in all there were four sets of fixtures that could be on the backdrop at any time, either by themselves or in combo with others to make a wide variety of effects."
Gear provided for the event included MAC Viper Profiles, Robe BMFLs, Robe Pointes, Clay Paky Sharpys, Coemar Stagelite LED 2-Cell, GLP X4S's and GRN Lite Pars, and of course no Xmas Jam is complete without massive amounts of festoon lights... and a mirror ball.
"Bandit was, as always, a tremendous ally on this show," said Hoffman. "Strong credit belongs to Andy French, Wayne Lotoza, Chase Bosworth and of course Dizzy Gosnell."
"We really do respect what Warren has done with and for Habitat for Humanity over the years with this Christmas Jam," said Dizzy. "This year was the 27th Jam, a fitting testament to his commitment and drive in pulling big name artists to turn up and jam.
"Bandit is proud to have again been involved in providing the equipment completely free for this very worthy causeand the fact that we get to work again with our friends Paul Hoffman and production manager Kit Blanchard doesn't hurt either."
(Jim Evans)
