Saturday last was our #34 in our Quarantine Concert Series and a dandy it was.

Jorma Kaukonen 2, 2021

Quarantine Concert Series #34

The Fur Peace Station

Darwin, Ohio

Saturday, January 9, 2021

1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. In The Kingdom
3. Heart Temporary
4. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere
5. Rock Me Baby
6. Corners Without Exits
7. Re-Enlistment Blues
8. Flying Clouds
9. Stand By Me with John Hurlbut
10. This Land Is Your Land with John Hurlbut
11. A Life Well Lived

Yeah, another grand time for us.

Tomorrow I’m leaving for the D.C. Metro area to actually play a show at the Birchmere in Alexandria. I’ve been looking forward to this for a while and I decided I just couldn’t let the shameful events in D.C. last week keep me away today. Got my Covid-19 test today and I’m still negative. Onward indeed.

Today I got together with Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley and we spent three really fun hours co -writing a song together. You’re going to love ‘Pay Someone To Pay My Dues.’ Waiting for the demo…

More will be revealed.

National politics may be depressing, but the music has certainly been sustaining me. On this note, gotta get some sleep. Up to drive to Arlington.

Stay well!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

A rainy, rainy Sunday here at the Fur Peace Ranch. Last night was our fourth quarantine show but I’ll get to that in a minute. Pouring rain all day long. A good day to stay warm and look out the window, and perhaps give a guitar lesson on Zoom… and have a great home cooked meal. Pasta (Tinkyada gluten free) with a non dairy (unsweetened almond milk) white wine and shiitake cream sauce with fresh Maine scallops topped with a Chardonnay Bellavitano cheese. Big smiles and happy tummies all around!

And… last night another fulfilling evening for us here at the Ranch!

Jorma Kaukonen 4, 2020
#4 Of The Quarantine Concert Series
Live From The Fur Peace Ranch
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, April 25, 2020

1. Candy Man
2. New Song For The. Morning
3. I See The Light
4. Ain’t In No Hurry
5. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
6. Bar Room Crystal Ball
7. Spence Bohren’s The Old Homestead featuring John Hurlbut
8. A Little Faster featuring John Hurlbut
9. Wolves &. Lambs
10. Things That Might Have Been
11. I Know You Rider

It’s been almost a year since our dear friend Spenser Bohren has been gone. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting on the library with Spenser and his wife Marilyn talking and inviting the warmth of friendship. We all miss him so much but he has left a legacy of song behind him and Johnny did him proud.

That’s about it for this rainy day…

Stay well all!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 12, 2020
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The David Bromberg Band
The Commonwealth Room
Salt Lake City, Utah
Wednesday, February 26, 2020

1. I See The Light
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Living Just For You
6. Barbeque King
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Come Back Baby
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Sleep Song
11. Good Shepherd
12. Hit Single # 1
13. Funky # 7
14. Encore: Water Song

Then we all beat feet to Boulder and checked into the Boulderado… one of my favorite hotels of all time.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Great place for breakfast. Don’t miss the Beignets!

Foto by Jack Casady

David has been graciously inviting me to join him on his acoustic Buddy Brown original. Big fun… every night. Thanks David!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 13, 2020
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
With
The David Bromberg Band
The Boulder Theater
Boulder, Colorado
Friday, February 28, 2020

1. Been So Long
2. Candy Man
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Wolves & Lambs
6. Living Just For You
7. Can’t Get Satisfied
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Sea Child. Chet
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Hit Single # 1
12. Trial By Fire
13. Good Shepherd Chet
14. Funky # 7
15. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Kyle’s Dad

Here Kyle gives me some Ian Buchanan material that he passes on from John Sposato out on Long Island. Kyle’s a great young man… and a lucky one too. He’s got his Dad’s Les Paul!

With Day One at the Boulder Theater under our belt… a good night’s Boulderado sleep, and on to day 2.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Bromberg Quintet… A Capella

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Tuna’s Set:

Hot Tuna 14, 2020
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
With
The David Bromberg Band
The Boulder Theater
Boulder, Colorado
Saturday, February 29, 2020

1. I See The Light
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Baby What You Want Me To Do?
6. Second Chances
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. Rock Me Baby
9. Bowlegged Woman
10. Roads and Roads &
11. Trial By Fire
12. Walkin’ Blues
13. Hit Single # 1
14. Water Song
15. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Then it was time for our class picture.

Daggone it… I lost the card of the photographer who took the picture!

Note must be taken of David Bromberg’s wonderful band.

David Bromberg… Vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and outstanding personality!
Mark Cosgrove (guitar, mandolin, backing vocals)
Suavek Zaniesienko (bass, backing vocals)
Josh Kanusky (drums, backing vocals)
Nate Grower, Fiddle, Mandolin
And of course Mike Russo (tour manager)

Tuna here in KC, MO tonight and off to St. Louis. We’re gonna miss David and his pals for sure. Safe trip home guys!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Phil Lesh had asked me some time ago to join him along with Grahame Lesh, Rob Barraco and John Molo for two nights at the good old Capitol Theater in Portchester, New York. Needless to say, I was on board immediately. Now anyone who loves the music of the Grateful Dead knows that this is not a lightly undertaken art form. Jerry and the guys (and gals) managed to transliterate the essence of the great American Songbook into a parallel universe of multi dimensional creativity. I realized that I probably won’t live long enough to be able to fully apprehend all this great music, but the good news was that Phil just wanted me to be me. I could do that… so I did.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The Capitol Theater has a great lineage of memories for me going back to the time of the Jefferson Airplane… and Tuna as well. That it has been restored to its former glory… and much more, is more than cool! It’s just a great gig for me at any time. Having the opportunity to add a little frosting to Phil’s cake was off the charts! To play with Grahame, Rob, John as well as Phil was hanging with the A-Team for sure. I chose my Beano Les Paul through my 1967 50w Marshall Plexi for the most of the gig but I also had my Gibson Chet Atkins SST through a Louis Rosano Twinmaster for the tunes like Dupree’s Diamond Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Light Of This World, Good Shepherd and the like. I thought about the Firebird for the brasher material, but the Beano got the call.

Foto by Suzy Perler

I had never really hung with Grahame before but I’ll tell you… he is more than a great guitar player. He’s a great singer, musician and a great guy! To get to have a conversation with him on stage was enlightening to say the least. I’ve known Rob for a long time and the depth of his talent never ceases to amaze me. As for John Molo, aside from being one of the world’s great percussionists, his musical sense of humor just kills me… every time. Phil… well, like I told Grahame at dinner, ‘Your dad is a genius!’

Foto by Suzy Perler

Well, Tuesday ran into Wednesday and then my two day run with Phil and his guys was over. It was more than an honor to be a part of this musical expedition. Thanks Phil and thanks to all the guys for making me welcome!

Foto by Suzy Perler

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Tuesday I drove 580 miles from the Fur Peace Ranch to Hampton, South Carolina where Zach’s mom, Stephanie was to b interred. Zach has grown into quite the young man… he is carrying the weight well!

Foto by jorma Kaukonen

She will sleep in peace here…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Fair wind and following seas sister…

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

We got in from Indiana in time for me to get a drone flight in by the hotel… overlooking the river.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Then yesterday a ten mile bus ride to Riverbend on the Ohio side.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

We got together with Derek and Susan and the gang to rehearse Marty Balin’s great song 3/5’s Of A Mile In Ten Seconds.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 34, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
With Tedeschi/Trucks
& The Wood Brothers
PNC Pavilion At
Riverbend Music Center

1. Trial By Fire
2. Sleep Song
3. Talkin’ Bout You
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Roads and Roads &
6. 99 Year Blues
7. Come Back Baby

Then I go to sit in with Chris an Oliver Wood for Rev. Davis’ tune, Death Don’t Have No Mercy and subsequently Jack and I joined Derek and Susan for the aforementioned Jefferson Airplane song from Surrealistic Pillow.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

I have been thrilled with the way Justin and Jack and I have been playing… and there’s more to come!

Drone Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Like I said, we love hanging with the Dark Star folks and their friends! The vibe at the Jubilee can’t be beat.

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

There was supposed to be thunderstorms, but while Tuna was there the weather was beyond awesome. Not to hot and not too cold.

It’s always a good time with these folks. Here’s our electric set:

Hot Tuna 20, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Dark Star Jubilee
Thorneville, Ohio
Sunday, May 28, 2017

1. Candy Man
2. I See The Light
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Trial By Fire
6. In The Kingdom
7. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Good Shepherd
11. Rock Me Baby
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Funky #7

The three of us got it done with style!

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then is was back to Meigs County where the boys and I planned on rehearsing for a couple of days in preparation for our tour with Tedeschi/Trucks this summer.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Justin Guip, Jack Casady and myself set up in the most comfortable of situations, the stage of my very own Fur Peace Station.

With the able assistance of our pal Myron Hart, we got to work on some new additions for the summer sets.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The three of us had a blast playing in this most friendly of environments… and we got some good Fur Peace Ranch cooking too!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Two great days of playing bordered by a great dinner at Salaam in Athens last night!

Today is a pho day at the Beatrice Love Kitchen and Jack Casady and I will be playing for the lunch crowd.

Yummy… and onward!

Back on the mainland for a week now. I landed in San Diego and our first gig was at the Belly Up.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve played the Belly Up for years now… like coming home in a way.

Hot Tuna 1, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Belly Up
Solana Beach, California
Monday, February 13, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Dime For Beer
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. Been So Long
8. How Long Blues
9. Candy Man
10. Sea Child
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Hear Temporary
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. That’ll Never Happen No More
6. Come Back Baby
7. San Francisco Baby Blues
8. Living In The Moment
9. Sleep Song
10. Good Shepherd
11. Trial By Fire
12. The Terrible Operation
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Genesis

Nice way to kick off 2017. Next day at the Dana, Jack and I were part of a nifty foto shoot.

Foto by Myron Hart

Then it was out of San Diego and up to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Again… many years at the Coach house. Nice to be back!

Hot Tuna 2, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Coach House
San Juan Capistrano, California
Wednesday, February 15, 2017

1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Second Chances
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. I See The Light
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. Living In The Moment
11. Sleep Song
12. Watch The North Wind Rise
13. Good Shepherd
14. Come Back Baby
15. Candy Man
16. I Am The Light Of This World
17. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
18. Encore: Genesis

Then up to Santa Barbara to the Lobero.

California traffic in this part of the state is relentless…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We took a break from the traffic and stopped for some seafood in Malibu… then on to Santa Barbara and the rains came.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Quite a rain. 101 close south of Santa Barbara… The show must go on!

Hot Tuna 3, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Lobero Theatre
Santa Barbara, California
Friday, February 17, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. Barbeque King
6. I See The Light
7. Sea Child
8. Sleep Song
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Second Chances
4. Candy Man
5. Come Back Baby
6. Hesitation Blues
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Good Shepherd
9. San Francisco Bay Blues
10. In My Dreams
11. True Religion
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Foto by Jack Casady

Then a haul ass drive to San Francisco. Check into the hotel and head over to Berkeley for Jeff Pehrson’s surprise 50th birthday party at the Freight And Salvage. Jim Brunberg set this one up. Nice work Jim!

Love the Japan Center… took a little walk this morning.

I had my first Japanese food here on Buchanan street in the 60’s when there was still traffic on it. Still lovely!

Tonight Jack and Justin and I will be rocking the Fillmore Auditorium!

More will definitely be revealed!

It is ten degrees this frosty morning (Thursday, December 15, 2016) here at the Fur Peace Ranch in Southeast Ohio. Maverick and I just came in from a chilly but necessary walk across the parking lot and down the old road to the A Frame. The remains of the Super Moon were falling slowly into the tree line. From our vantage point on the road we could see the lights twinkling from Donnie’s farm over there by SR 681. My heart was heavy with the loss of our dear friend Walt Sample late last night. December 14th, 2016, was just shy of becoming December 15th when Walt’s son called to give us the news.

There is never a good time for bad news and I realize that on this planet we call home, millions die each day. That said, each of us humans navigates the world with our own universe and the circles of these universes may or may not intersect. There may be magic in these meetings. I have been fortunate in my life to have had a number of these meetings but one of the most memorable was with Walt Sample. He came to us at the Fur Peace Ranch a number of years ago… I can’t really remember when. It was immediately apparent to me that we were born to be friends and I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

He was a man of infinite spirit with a love of all things good in this world and the rare ability to find good in most things. He had talents in many fields. In his art whether it be music or painting, the purist of truths always shone through utterly free of artifice. One must check out Big Mule Music and you will get some small idea of what I’m talking about.

In late August, one of our dear friends, Rob McNurlin, was down on The Crossroads in Mississippi and brought some dirt back from said crossroads. We called it Devil Dirt… and there was something dangerous about it. Walt thought we should strike back on the good vibe and came up with the idea of Sacred Soil from the Fur Peace Ranch. We had been doing some excavating so we had a huge pile of dirt. Walt loaded up the sifter, we made labels and le voila, Fur Peace Ranch Sacred Soil! I say ‘we,’ but it was all Walt, sitting in garage next to the Harleys giving substance to yet another dream. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here in Southeast Ohio and every little bit counts.

A renaissance man…father… husband… brother to all who were authentic. He didn’t suffer fools handily… he disdained poseurs… but he treated all with respect.

He passed suddenly, without warning and he although it is not for me to say how any man perceives his own passing, I would imagine that Walt would have wanted it this way. His great heart, having done its duty, retired the field. He had many different relationships with all he knew. I did not write with him. We thought about it… talked about it… but never got around to it. We were, however, friends!

All of us who knew Walt will miss him in our own way, but none of us will ever forget him. For me that ever-present smile, hearty handshake and the sly look that said he had something really cool to show me will live in my heart always.

At this point in my life, unexpected phone calls as often as not do not bring good news. Simply put, as the book of life is opened some of us do not make the next page and that’s just the way it is.

So in closing this sad but yet celebratory little note as I looked at the Super Moon last night and early this morning I was immediately reminded that by some strange coincidence yesterday morning I was listening to Jimmy Durante singing I’ll Be Seeing You by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal.

I’ll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day and through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children’s carousel
The chestnut trees
The wishing well
I’ll be seeing you
In every lovely summer’s day
In everything that’s night and day
I’ll always think of you that way
I’ll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I’ll be looking at the moon
But I’ll be seeing you
I’ll be seeing you

I’ll be seeing you my friend… in my heart always… In the meantime

Fair wind and following seas brother. My the spirit wind always be at your back!

Fall was certainly wrapping itself around us as we moved into the Rev. Gary Davis Weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch.

On this glorious weekend the Wonderful Woody Mann came to teach and to amaze and enthrall us on Saturday night at the Fur Peace Station with the Empire Roots Band.

Seth Farber came to join Woody, and played the Birman’s old 1913 Chickering baby grand.

Also on stage was Bill Sims Jr. Even though with the band, Bill sang and played guitar… he sat down at the grand also.

The music… touching and powerful!

Brian Glassman played upright bass… awesome, in every respect!

A fantastic measure of sound, passion and tradition!

These aren’t the only moments that uplift my soul… but they’re a big part.

Then before we knew it… Sunday came, Student Performance… pictures…

Big thanks to Roy Book Binder and Tom Feldmann for helping to make this weekend possible.

I would like to think that Rev. Davis would have enjoyed this little tribute to his memory!