Since I wasn’t working this past weekend, Vanessa and I got to got to the Nelsonville Music Festival, hear some great music and catch up with some friends. We also had to retrieve our daughter who had been camping with her friends for the weekend. Ah… summer vacation… if you’re a kid!

The Kaukonens... showing the flag!

Photographer lost in antiquity

This is an amazing regional festival, well supported by the community and filled with great artists! I was fortunate enough to do a solo set here a couple of years ago. One of the first people we ran into yesterday when we parked was my old friend ScareKrow who brought us over to say ‘hi’ to Ani DiFranco.

ScareKrow, Ani and me

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

We wandered around and I ran into the Henna Faerie.

Here I am with the Henna Faerie

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

the HF turned us onto Bridget Punsalang who tattoos out of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. from the Neeledwurks parlor. Check out Bridget’s work. I’ve got a little… Nessa’s got a lot from her. Good stuff.

We headed up to the main stage where the Blind Boys Of Alabama were just starting their set. I noticed that the bass player… whose name I didn’t get, was playing a Jack Casady Bass.

The JC Bass on the main stage...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Blind Boys were awesome… as they always are!

A line of greatness!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Paul Thorn sat in with the Blind Boys and it was like a revival right there in our own Nelsonville!

After that great performance, Nessa and I collected Izze and headed back the the Fur Peace Ranch.

Stage right at the Bind Boys Of Alabama set!

Selfie by Vanessa Kaukonen

What a great weekend!

Last night the Fur Peace Ranch hosted the up and coming band from Nashville, Maybe April. Since I wasn’t playing or teaching this weekend I took over my pal Jerry’s spot behind the wheel of the mule to ferry folks in from the parking lot.

Service with a smile from the Ole Picker.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Hurl, our Ranch Manager, discover Maybe April before they were even signed and recorded. They were awesome on YouTube and even more awesome in person.

Alaina, Katy and Kristin onstage at the Station

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

What a great show the girls put on for the sold out house here at the Ranch. I predict great things for these gals.

Nessa, Kristin, Katy, Alaina and me after the show

Foto by Wally Himmelman

The gals spent the night here at the Ranch and this morning Nessa sent them on their way to Asheville with coffee, fresh fruit and sundry goodies.

It’s good to know the future of music is more than safe!

One our porch...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Porch left

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Dont' get lost at the FPR

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Smiles finishing the railng on the new Green Room Cabin

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Psylodelic Museum & New Company Store

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Turn right

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

John H. Yoda of Merchandise

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Rev. Davis and Grace Slick... two of my favorite people

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Painting by Malles Meje and Jorma sculpture by Lisa Reinertson

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Buckeye Rural swath through the woods

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Day is almost done...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Just a photographic cross section of my afternoon yesterday. Today we have Maybe April with their concert here at the Fur Peace Ranch. More tomorrow…

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!

Last weekend we hosted Happy Traum and Woody Mann. Saturday night Robin and Linda Williams played the show. It was an awesome weekend of music.

Always good to see Happy!

We also got to celebrate Happy’s 80th birthday!

Nessa sings and presents... Happy Birthday Mr. President......

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

It was a truly great group of guys and gals… as it always is!

The weekend class...

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Then before you know it… the weekend was over.

My group of stalwarts

Foto by John Hurlbut

Starting tomorrow the Fur Peace Ranch will involve myself, G.E.Smith and Pat Donohue will be holding forth and I expect another weekend filled with joy and notes!

Woody Mann pick on my D'Angelico

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Where the blacktop turns to blue...

Foto by Izze Kaukonen

Thanks to Gretchen Peters for the foto caption. Check out Lilies Of The Field. Love her writing!

In the last week the worm has turned and Spring has more than sprung. Mixed metaphor, I know but it said what needed to be said. In the last week, the hardwood trees have gone from no leaves to being completely greened out. Beautiful! I’ve been getting some range time and riding time while I’ve been home and life is indeed good. Our daughter, Izze, has two more weeks of school and she’s already for summer camp… and even though her seventh grade year is not over yet… she’s already talking about eighth grade. My son, Zach, is finishing his second yer of college and time is indeed marching on.

Here at the Fur Peace Ranch we are getting ready to host Happy Traum and Woody Mann. It is also Happy’s 80th birthday. Happy birthday Happy! You always were the man! When I grow up, I want to be just like you. Check out Happy and Jane’s Homespun Site. Saturday night Robin and Linda Williams will be playing at the Fur Peace Station. I love these guys and it will be an honor to have them here in Darwin, Ohio!

Will beautiful weather in the offing for the weekend, a bike ride is more than tempting… but guitar first. With choices like that, what’s not to like.

I thing I’ll wander over to the Kitchen to see who has showed up yet.

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!

Well, thank goodness the weekend was graced by good weather. Some nasty rain came in yesterday afternoon and continues today but redbud is now in sight and I now we’ll finally be wrapped in Spring in a day or so.

Monochromatic bleakness hangs on, but not for long!

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

This weekend we hosted Spencer Bohren again and David Wilcox for the first time. David is a great artist who invites you into the welcome room that is his world. He taught a great song writing class and enthralled us all with his performance at the Fur Peace Station!

I spent a lot of time this weekend getting to know my D’Angelico as well.

The D'Angelico through the Allesandro Half-Bred Mutt

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The weekend blessed us with a window of fine weather. The music and fellowship was grand!

Sunday before the open mike...

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Time flies when you’re having fun, and before you know it… Monday morning arrived.

Lots of good electric picking from these folks!

Foto by John Hurlbut

Today Nessa and I drove up to Lancaster, Ohio to take a look at the Mill Event Center, where I’ll be playing this Saturday night the the 28th. This is a brand new spot, and it’s going to be a winner. Check it out. Only 250 tickets will be sold!

Me... waiting for the other 245 people.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Sunshine is coming, another gig this weekend and the family is well. What’s not to like?

Onward

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!