The annual Marathon Jam is back this weekend, live in person for the first time since before the pandemic.

Visit MarathonJam.org.

Founded by John Santa, the Marathon Jam has become a signature event in the Chapel Hill community. The idea is simple: everyone’s invited to gather around the circle for a 12-hour jam session. All musicians are welcome, regardless of skill level; you can sit in for one song, stick around for the full 12 hours, or anything in between – or just sit and watch. (Play for the full 12 hours, and you’ll get a t-shirt recognizing you as an “Iron Picker.”) The organization got its start here in Chapel Hill, but there are now sister jams that take place in cities across the country – and even a handful overseas.

It’s all for a good cause: jammers collect donations for the Fisher House, which provides housing for the families of veterans receiving treatment at VA hospitals.

Visit FisherHouse.org.

Organizers are especially excited about this year’s Marathon Jam, the first one in person since before COVID-19. But the organization has not been idle: in addition to the signature event, jammers also regularly go into VA hospitals and perform for patients there. (Robert Welch, now one of the event’s lead organizers, got his start with the Jam when they came into the hospital where he was getting treated.)

This year’s Marathon Jam will take place Saturday, February 24, from noon to midnight at the American Legion Post 6, on Route 54 near White Cross west of Carrboro. Everyone’s welcome to stop by for as long as you like, to perform or just sit and watch.

Kirby Heard, Charles Fields, and Robert Welch stopped by Live & Local this week to play a few songs and discuss this year’s Marathon Jam.

Listen: