Best pizza in Cowtown...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza is a more than delightful venue and a really good restaurant that is technically in Worthington, although it’s all Columbus to country boys like me. This is my second trip to Natalie’s, and I look forward to the next one. Now, not a day goes by that I don’t spend a lot of time maintaining my relationship with my guitars, but it’s not the same thing as gigging. I’ve been home for a while and as much as I love being home with the family, sometimes I feel as if my identity is beginning to suffer when I don’t get to play for an audience. This was just the remedy I needed! Plus, there were two shows on this night… both sold out!

Jorma Kaukonen 22, 2018
Jorma Solo
Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza
Worthington, Ohio
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

First Show:

1. Dime For Beer
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Search My Heart
5. Been So Long
6. Barbeque King
7. How Long Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. River Of Time
11. Candy Man
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. Heart Temporary
14. I Am The Light of This World
15. Trouble In Mind
16. I Know You Rider
17. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Since I’m not eating carbs right now, I feasted on a giant meatball between shows… Beef, pork an lamb… Deeeelicious!!!

Jorma Kaukonen 23, 2018
Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza
Worthington, Ohio
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Second Show:
1. Whining Boy Blues
2. True Religion
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. I See The Light
5. How Long Blues
6. Prohibition Blues
7. Come Back Baby
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Good Shepherd
12. That’ll Never Happen No More
13. Things That Might Have Been
14. Re-Enlistment Blues
15. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
16. Encore: Water Song

The weather held until I was driving home… and then it was beyond torrential. Fortunately, in addition to my Daylighter headlights, I have a killer light bar!

What's not to like about a Jeep?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Now I know that a light bar like this is not street legal, but it sure saved my bacon coming home on Rt. 33 at 0100 Wednesday morning. You just couldn’t see more that 20 feet in front of you with only the LED headlights.

Good times…

Yesterday I went up to Dan Earlewine’s shop in Athens, Ohio where a new set of engraved Waverly tuners were waiting for me. Susan from Stewart-MacDonald was shooting a video for Dan and Stewmack and we had a blast with it. My new tuners are mighty sexy too… guitar geekery… gotta love it.

Tomorrow is the beginning of another great weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch and Saturday night Peter Rowan and some of his pals will be holding forth at the Station.

Well, it’s a beautiful day today… I think I’ll go for a ride… without rainsuit!

Vroooom….

The eagles gather on Friday...

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After a stop at the Cherry St. Pub in Lancaster for a steak… we beat feet on up to Heath, Ohio Thursday night and got to the Jubilee early on Friday.

Our backstage tent at the festival

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then it was time to rock!

Preflight Check

Photo by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 18, 2018
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Dark Star Jubilee
Thornville, Ohio
Friday, May 25, 2018

1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Living Just For You
6. Roads And Roads &
7. Rock Me Baby
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Walkin’ Blues
12. Talkin’ Bout You
13. Funky #7

The Beano sings

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Saturday the weather was beautiful until we finished our set.

The calm before the storm

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 19, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Dark Star Jubilee
Thornville, Ohio
Saturday, May 26, 2018

1. Dime For Beer
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Search My Heart
4. Been So Long
5. Barbeque King
6. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
7. Serpent Of Dreams
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Good Shepherd
12. How Long Blues
13. That’ll Never Happen No More
14. I Am The Light Of This World
15. Water Song
With Los Lobos:
1. The Neighborhood
2. Papa Was A Rolling Stone
3. One Way Out
With Dark Star Orchestra:
1. 3/5ths Of A Mile In 10 Seconds
2. White Rabbit

I did get to fly my drone before Los Lobos and the storm set in.

Nothing but blue skies... for a while...

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Los Lobos got a couple of songs into their set… and then… the storm.

This was a real gully washer!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The rain passed… they reset the stage and I got to sit in with David and the guys.

What a treat!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then DSO took the stage and Jack and I had the honor of sitting in with them!

3/5's and White Rabbit

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Another great Jubilee… Our heartfelt thanks to the Dark Star Folks for inviting us. If DSO wants us… we’re there!!

Onward!

We’ve had so much going on at the Ranch non-stop since the season opened that it’s nice to take a little break. Of course, I’m up here in Thornville, Ohio for Dark Star’s Jubilee… so it’s not like I’m doing nothing. My daughter just finished seventh grade with straight A’s. She didn’t get that from me… that’s for sure. Anyway, last weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch it was Pat Donohue, G.E.Smith and myself. Pat was the Big Dog on stage that night and G.E. and myself went on first.

G.E. surrounded by age and beauty!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Jorma Kaukonen 21, 2016
Jorma With G.E. Smith
Fur Peace Ranch Station
Darwin , Ohio
Saturday, May 19, 2018

1. Dime For Beer… Jorma solo
2. Sleep song… Jorma solo
3. Trial By Fire… Jorma Solo
4. Come Back Baby… Jorma with G.E.
5. Kentucky Blues… G.E. with Jorma
6. Re-Enlistment Blues… Jorma with G.E.
7. G.E. Buffalo Skinners… G.E.
8. Whining Boy Blues… Jorma with G.E.
9. Dark As A Dungeon… G.E.
10. Search My Heart… Jorma with G.E.
11. Ballad Of Pancho & Lefty… G.E.
12. The Automatic… G.E. with Jorma

We had a blast with this set! We also got to sit in with Pat on Deep River Blues and Teenage Wedding. Thanks for gracing us with our presence Pat… Good times. You too G.E. Always!

The Class of Last Week!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Big thanks to Tom Feldman for gracing us with his elegant presence and making things easier for the Old Man… me.

The Light Of This World Class

Foto by helpful student!

The week went by in the link of an an eye. Today is my daughter’s last day of school…and we are up here in Hebron getting ready to head over to Legend Valley. First a trip to the Lakeside diner in Buckeye Lake.

Yummy

Foto by Suzy Perler

Looks like a nice day!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Electric set tonight, acoustic tomorrow. Great weather today… we’ll see about tomorrow.

Onward!

Saturday night I played the Mill Event Center in Lancaster, Ohio… just up the road from us. What a beautiful venue! Everything went really well… especially considering as it was their first show. I love this venue and these folks! I’ll play there anytime.

Jorma Kaukonen 19, 2016
Jorma Solo
The Mill Event Center
Lancaster, Ohio
Saturday, April 28, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. Sleep Song
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. How Long Blues
10. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
11. In My Dreams
12. Candy Man
13. Heart Temporary
14. That’ll Never Happen No More
Second Set:
1. Whining Boy Blues
2. I See The Light
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. Keep On Trucking Mama
7. Come Back Baby
8. I’ll Be All Right Someday
9. Sea Child
10. Flying Clouds
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
15. Encore: Genesis

Is this Spring yet?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The seasons have been struggling… but everything is starting to work out as it should.

Getting ready to 'que

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Maverick gets ready to join Izze and me for a barbecue on Sunday. The worm was turning and we started to feel life in the trees.

Redbud... finally!

Yep… the worm has turned indeed. Izze’s in school, Nessa’s driving down from Columbus and I’m going for a motorcycle ride!

Onward indeed!

Larry Campbell tries out my new D'Angelico while the folks gather for orientation

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This paste weekend Larry Campbell, Spencer Bohren and hosted the students here in Darwin, Ohio for another truly great weekend. Friday the weather was beautiful. Saturday the temperature started to slide but itdidn’t dampen the spirits that warmed the room for our concert Saturday night.

Jorma Kaukonen 19, 2016
Jorma and Larry Campbell
With Spencer Bohren
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio 45769

1. Dime For Beer, Larry & Jorma
2. Hesitation Blues, Larry & Jorma
3. Trouble In Mind, Larry & Jorma
4. Ain’t Nobody For Me, Larry & Jorma
5. Barbeque King, Larry & Jorma
6. San Francisco Bay Blues, Larry & Jorma
7. Market Town/Scatter The Mud… Larry solo Thanks for that Michael…
8. Blind Mary, Larry solo
9. Cypress Grove, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
10. No Cane On The Brazos, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
11. Lost Highway, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
12. Good Shepherd, Larry & Jorma
13. Nine Pound Hammer, Larry & Jorma
14. Come Back Baby, Larry & Jorma
15. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here, Larry & Jorma
16. Big River, Larry, Spencer & Jorma
17. Encore: I’ll Fly Away, Larry Spencer & Jorma

Larry, Spencer,our pal Wally and myself backstage

Foto by Rusty Smith

Spencer played for an hour and Larry and I played for ninety minutes. The folks sure got plenty of music on this night. Sunday it rained so we did our ‘Class Picture’ indoors at the Station.

Some fun...

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Monday morning we had a final wrap up as snow… yes snow, began to fall.

The Watersong Weekend Class Picture

Foto by John Hurlbut

After the folks scattered to there respective homes and climes, I went to pick up our daughter from school and on the way home it started to snow. It’s still snowing…

Spring has sprung...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Snow and all… a great couple of days. Looking to the future!

Nothing like a Spring day...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Started driving in the snow but it let up by the time we got to Hatrford.

The lore of the ancients

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then it was Infinity time.

... and beyond

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 16, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Infinity
Hartford, Connecticut
Friday, April 6, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. Heart Temporary
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Come Back Baby
7. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. How Long Blues
10. Candy Man
11. Trial By Fire
12. Sea Child
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. True Religion
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Wolves And Lambs
4. Genesis
5. Whining Boy Blues
6. Trouble In Mind
7. Barbeque King
8. River Of Time
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. Sleep Song
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Good Shepherd
13. Water Song
14. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Phil and Jack backstage...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then up to Ogunquit, Maine for the last show of this run at Johnathan’s.

Seafood, here we come!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Great dinner… and then the gig!

Hot Tuna 17, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Jonathan’s
Ogunquit, Maine
Saturday, April 7, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Waiting For A Train
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. Search My Heart
6. Barbeque King
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. Candy Man
9. Trial By Fire
10. Sleep Song
11. Living In The Moment
12. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Second Chances
3. I See The Light
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Come Back Baby
6. The Terrible Operation
7. Whining Boy Blues
8. Been So Long
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Water Song
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Genesis

After the shrimp coctail... a gig!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After the show we drove Jack and Phil to Boston for the next leg of their trip and Myron and I headed for home… which is whee I am now. Back with my girls… and tonight snoozing in my own bed.

Good times!

The Flying Monkey

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Winter’s chilly fingers are still wrapped around us up here, but there was blue skies as we pulled into Plymouth, and the Flying Monkey.

Monkeyville

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This is a great joint. It’s been too long since we played here!

Hot Tuna 15, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Flying Monkey
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Thursday, April 5, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Too Many Years
4. Wolves And Lambs
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Barbeque King
7. River Of Time
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Death Don’t’ Have No Mercy
10. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
11. Living In The Moment
12. Sea Child
13. Trial By Fire
14. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. The Terrible Operation
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. Waiting For A Train
6. How Long Blues
7. Serpent Of Dreams
8. Search My Heart
9. Come Back Baby
10. Sleep Song
11. Good Shepherd
12. San Francisco Bay Blues
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Water Song

Where's Dorothy?

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Rising a little bit early this morning to head for Hartford, Connecticut and Infinity.

Back at the yard behind the Monkey… it was still train time.

A thousand miles from nowhere...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The Paramount Theater In Rutland

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I think the last time we were here was 2010. It’s been way too long. This is a magnificent theater with great sound!

Hot Tuna 14, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Paramount Theater
Rutland, Vermont

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. Search My Heart
5. River Of Time
6. Barbeque King
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. San Francisco Bay Blues
9. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
10. Sleep Song
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Whining Boy Blues
13. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Wolves & Lambs
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Come Back Baby
6. Nobody Know You When You’re Down & Out
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. Sea Child
9. Trial By Fire
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Water Song

It’s been rainy and chilly, but hey, we’re in Vermont in April.

Tools of the trade

Foto by jack Casady

Now we’re off to the Flying Monkey in Plymouth, New Hampshire. It’s been a minute or two since we’ve been there too so we’re looking forward to this one as well.

Proceeding…

The view from the stage

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Yeah....

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I saw The Blob in 1958 when it came out. I went to the Avalon Theater on Connecticut Aveunue near Chevy Chase Circle… my hood. I think I took my girlfriend Kathy. I sure knew how to show a girl a good time back then.

A historic plaque

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Fast forward to today and Hot Tuna at the Colonial Theater… scene of the Blob massacre in the movie and today’s Blobfest.

Who needs The Blob when you have Hot Tuna?

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 13, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Colonial Theater
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Monday, April 2, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. The Terrible Operation
6. Barbeque King
7. Living In The Moment
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. Sleep Song
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Nobody Knows You When Your own & Out
2. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
3. Search My Heart
4. I See The Light
5. Come Back Baby
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. River Of Time
8. In My Dreams
9. Trial by Fire
10. Sea Child
11. Good Shepherd
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Bar Room Crystal Ball

Looking forward to the next time

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It’s been a while since I played the Colonial. This was Jack’s first time in Blobland. He loved it. As time passes, it’s nice to play new venues, but always a welcome pleasure to come back to familiar ones!

You can't make this stuff up.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The White Rabbit art theater next door…

Yesterday we got up and drove up to Rutland, Vermont where tonight we will play the Paramount Theater. Raining here and raining at home. at least it’s not snowing… today.

More will be revealed…

Ziessen Pesach and Happy Easter… to all!

Life has been uneventful which is just the way I like it. Back to the Jefferson Theater in Roanoke. Last time I was here as I recall it was on the Cami Tour with Robben Ford and Ruthie Foster.

Putting an old school to good use.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

What a grand venue inside this old high school.

My little corner of the world.

We’ve been waiting for spring at home… a little ahead of our game here.

Nice

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 11, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Jefferson Center
Roanoke, Virginia
Friday, March 30, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Heart Temporary
4. I See The Light
5. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
6. Come Back Baby
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. How Long Blues
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. Too Many Years
6. Wolves & Lambs
7. San Francisco Bay Blues
8. Barbeque King
9. Things That Might Have Been
10. Sea Child
11. Good Shepherd
12. Keep your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
13. Encore: Water Song

Back on the bus in the dead of night

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then a brisk run up to the Ram’s Head in Annapolis.

Shepherd's Pie anyone?

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve been coming to the Ram’s Head for a very long time… it’s always a pleasure to play here!

Hot Tuna 12, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Ram’s Head
Annapolis, Maryland
Saturday, March 31, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Nobody Knows You when You’re Down & Out
3. Been So Long
4. Candy Man
5. Let Us Get Together right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. River Of Time
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Death Don’t have No Mercy
12. Bow Long Blues
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Too Many Years
4. Wolves And Lambs
5. Come Back Baby
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. Trouble In Mind
8. Waiting For Train
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Sea Child
11. Good Shepherd
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Water Song

Easter Sunday here… and a good day for a walk down to the harbor.

Buddy's... still here

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Last time I ate at Buddy’s was over ten years ago… probably closer to fifteen. My son was still really a kid. Vanessa and i took him to dinner here.

Meanwhile, back home at the Ranch Spring is finally showing its face.

Red Bud by the house

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Hope the spring flowers are still there when I get home in a week or so.