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.

I’ve been on the road for a really long time. Sometimes we can afford the bus and sometimes I drive myself. It’s just what we do. I missed driving our daughter to her first sleep away camp last year. I was on the road. I missed Vanessa’s birthday yesterday. I was on the road. Happy birthday Vanessa. I love you to the moon and back! Again, it’s just what we do. That’s the gig.

Yesterday we were just making our turn out of the hotel to head over to the Bijou Theater for the first Hot Tuna gig of this little run when a possibly impaired driver came over the hill about a quarter of a mile away. Lit it up and didn’t even hit the brakes as he hit us head on!

No skid marks... right into the bus

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Jack and I were in the back lounge. It fell like the bus hit a concrete wall… and then we were stopped.

The Knoxville First Responders are awesome!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

All the airbags deployed but he was going so fast he still hit the windshield.

A chance meeting... along the way

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Our driver is the best… and he had a dash cam that recorded the idiot coming at us. The officer simply said, ‘That’s all I need to see!’

Waiting for the wrecker

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We backed off the totaled vehicle after the accident report and headed over to the theater.

Bus damage

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

One of the firemen was heard to say, ‘He picked the wrong vehicle to run into.’

There but for the Grace of G_d….

Then finally we got to the theater.

The Bijou in Knoxville

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve been to the Bijou before… but it’s been a while. Nice to be back!

A beautiful old theater with pristine sound!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 10, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Bijou Theater
Knoxville, Tennessee
Thursday, March 29, 2018

First Set:
1. New Song For The Morning
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. Barbeque King
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Sea Child
9. Genesis
10. Whining Boy Blues
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. Death Don’t have No Mercy
6. Candy Man
7. River Of Time
8. Come Back Baby
9. That’ll Never Happen No More
10. Sleep Song
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Water Song

It’s been a while since Jack and I did our duo thing… but it’s like riding a bicycle.

The boys on stage...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We simply had a grand time… especially appreciated after the events earlier in the day.

Happy Birthday Vanessa!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Well, it’s 0644 here in Knoxville… we’ll be on the way to Jefferson Center in Roanoke before you know it.

Onward indeed…

Early spring at the Ranch

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Glorious… just glorious! No red bud yet… not much greening, but spring is on the way and after our hard winter, we’ll take all we can get. We just hosted the opening camp of our 21st year here at the Fur Peace Ranch and Jack Casady and I were the instructors. We’ve lived here i Southeast Ohio for 28 years now and it is an awesome place to live and an awesome place to raise kids. It’s a pretty darn nice location for just about anything. With 126 acres of hills, hollers, rivers an bottom land, it’s like having a state park in your back yard.

More of the same...

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Our pal Justin Guip came down from Red Hook to play drums for us and we had a rockin’ good time Saturday night at the Fur Peace Station.

Justin, Jack and myself... gettin' it done!

Foto by Lee Cantor

Hot Tuna 9, 2016
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
21st Year @ The Fur Peace Ranch
Saturday, March 24, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Living Just For You
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Wolves & Lambs
6. In The Kingdom
7. 99 year Blues
8. Sea Child
9. Bowlegged Woman
Second Set:
1. Hesitation Blues
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Roads and Roads &
6. Sleep Song
7. Trial By Fire
8. Good Shepherd
9. Funky # 7
10. Encore: Come Back Baby

There's a dance in the old dame yet...

Foto by Lee Cantor

The weather warmed up a little bit and in between pickin’ and grinnin’ there was some time to put the drones up in the air.

Sneakin' up on Michael's Phantom III

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Before the student performance on Sunday, we got a nice shot of the guys and gals on our opening weekend.

First class of '18

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Fellowship, peerless… food awesome… music… perfect! What’s not to like?

Michael and Jorma... quadcopter brothers...

The guitar guys from the Double Dose Class

Foto by John Hurlbut

I sure am fond of being from Southeast Ohio… check it out sometime!

Jack and I have a little duo run coming up and then back to the Ranch for some more workshops!

Good times!

Breakfast in Riverhead...

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

A long drive to get here from Richmond, but richly rewarded by a breakfast at Star Confectioners in Riverhead. This little town has still managed to hang onto a lot of small town charm, and I’m all about small towns.

The John L. Sullivan hotel in Riverhead

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Suffolk Theater is always a blast, and the folks didn’t let me down… of course I didn’t let them down either.

Jorma Kaukonen 17, 2018
Jorma Solo
The Suffolk Theater
Riverhead, New York
Friday, March 9, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Heart Temporary
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. Barbeque King
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. River Of Time
8. Candy Man
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Trial By Fire
12. Sea Child
13. Prohibition Blues
14. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. How Long Blues
5. Serpent Of Dreams
6. Waiting For A Train
7. Whining Boy Blues
8. Come Back Baby
9. That’ll Never Happen No More
10. Sleep Song
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. San Francisco Bay Blues
15. Encore: Genesis

Hot time in the old town tonight!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then, the morning after a dip in the weekend Long Island traffic pool and up to Levon’s Barn in Woodstock.

A Winter's Tale on Plochman Lane

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It is always more than a pleasure and an honor to play Levon’s joint. We shared some good times together and I know I’m not the only one who misses him!

Jorma Kaukonen 18, 2018
Jorma Solo
Midnight Ramble
Levon Helm’s Barn
Woodstock, New York
Saturday, March 10, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. How Long Blues
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Things That Might Have Been
7. Been So Long
8. Barbeque King
9. River Of Time
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. Sleep Song
13. Hesitation Blues
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Waiting For A Train
3. The Terrible Operation
4. Come Back Baby
5. San Francisco Bay Blues
6. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
7. Candy Man
8. Dime For Beer
9. Sea Child
10. Trial By Fire
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
15. Encore: Living In The Moment

One for you Lee...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

A fine place to end a month long tour. Back at home the girls are off on Spring Break and I’m hanging with the dogs. I’ll miss the routine of the gig but it’s great to be sleeping in my own bed.

More will be revealed..

Me in my Blue Heaven!

Unknown Fotographer

The McGlohon Theater in Charlotte

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Charlotte was warm… well, warmer. That was when we got in. The night of the show was shrouded in a cold rain. It was arm inside though!

Good place for Gospel

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Jorma Kaukonen 15, 2018
Jorma Solo
The McGlohon Theater
Charlotte, North Carolina
Tuesday, March 6, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Come Back Baby
4. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
5. I See The Light
6. River Of Time
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Prohibition Blues
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Barbeque King
5. Waiting For A Train
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. Ain’t In No Hurry
8. Too Many Years
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. I Know You Rider
15. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Old and new...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then it was a moderately short ride to Richmond and the Tin Pan.

Old Dominion Sunset

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Super rocking show here on this night.

Jorma Kaukonen 16, 2018
Jorma Solo
The Tin Pan
Richmond, Virginia
Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Set One:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. How Long Blues
6. The Terrible Operation
7. Come Back Baby
8. Waiting For A Train
9. Hear Temporary
10. Sleep Song
11. Trial By Fire
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. Let us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Barbeque King
6. Candy Man
7. River Of Time
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. Whining Boy Blues
10. Sea Child
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Good Shepherd
13. Bar Room Crystal Ball
14. Water Song
15. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
16. Encore: Genesis

On the wall of fame...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We left at 0700 from Richmond, heading up here to Long Island. The bus had other ideas for us though and by the time we had the mechanical problems solved, it was almost ten pm by the time we got in. Nothing like a day off I always say.

Living the dream.

Back on stage Friday night in Riverhead and the Suffolk Theater. Those are the good times!