So much has been transpiring the last couple of weeks and as I sit up here with my family on the beach in Maine I get to take a moment to look back a bit.

Jorma and Bruce

We hosted Bruce Cockburn at the Fur Peace Ranch and it was an honor and a pleasure. Bruce is an amazing artist… and a helluva guy personally. What a treat this night was. The following weekend was Founder’s Day in Akron. This is something I look forward to every year. I recharge my spiritual batteries with this one.

Packed and on the road...

I have been here many time... it is always powerful!

Were it not for this place and these people I would probably not be here today… and I’m not alone. Hanging out with like minded spirits for four days in a fellowship that earth people simply cannot grok. A miracle! On Sunday I rode in the motorcade to Dr. Bob and Annie’s grave in the Mt. Peace Cemetery. I have done this a number of times over the last twenty years, and when Joey plays Amazing Grace on he bagpipes at the end of the ceremony… my hanky is always ready!

How sweet the sound...

The language of the heart is spoken here… and all around the world for those who want it!

I got back from the run on Sunday afternoon. My son Zach showed up Sunday evening and Monday morning he and I drove 850 miles to Saco, Maine to meet Vanessa and Izze for a little family vacation.

Beauty and the Beach

Selfie by Vanessa

It was in the 90’s when we got up here. Two hot beach days and now it’s in the 60’s. Gotta love New England beaches!

Drone's eye view of Old Orchard Beach

Drone foto by Jorma

What a great calm before the storm of the Tedeschi/Trucks Wheels Of Soul Tour!

Drone shot of our home away from home

Drone foto by Jorma

To be with family in an utterly stress free environment… priceless!

Jorma, Zach and Izze breakfast selfie

Selfie by Izze Kaukonen

I see you

Drone selfie by Jorma

Today is the last day here. Zach and I will drive the 850 miles home tomorrow. Nice to able to share driving with my son.

Sunrise this morning...

Foto by Jorma

Nothing like taking a little time out to smell the coffee… or the roses… or whatever. Today we’re going to hit the Audubon nature water trail… hiking with canoes an kayaks, and tomorrow morning… home.

Onward indeed!

Thornville from the air

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.

Main stage... calm before the storm

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.

Rob Barraco, Jack Casady, Jeff Mattson & Jorma Kaukonen

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!

Can't beat a day like this!

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.

Jack heads up to the Fur Peace Station

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.

Myron examines the neck of the Firebird... the Les Paul rests

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!

The rhythm section working together

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Myron and Justin bordered by cymbals

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!

The Musical Instrument Museum In Phoenix

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We pulled into Phoenix, had a day off and got to work at the MIM.

Jack settles in at the MIM

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 17, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Musical Instrument Museum
Phoenix, Arizona
Tuesday, May 23, 2017

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. How Long Blues
3. I See The Light
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Barbeque King
6. Full Go Round
7. Sleep Song
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
11. Candy Man
12. That’ll Never Happen No More
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Too Many Years
3. The Terrible Operation
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Come Back Baby
6. Been So Long
7. Whining Boy Blues
8. I Am The Light Of This World
9. River Of Time
10. I Know You Rider
11. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
12. Sea Child
13. Good Shepherd
14. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
15. Encore: Embryonic Journey

One fine night followed by another…

Hot Tuna 18, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Musical Instrument Museum
Phoenix, Arizona
Wednesday, May 24, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Waiting For A Train
3. Hesitation Blues
4. True Religion
5. Barbeque King
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Death Don’t’ Have No Mercy
8. Living In The Moment
9. Sea Child
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Candy Man
12. That’ll Never Happen No More
Second Set:
1. New Song
2. Been So Long
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
5. Come Back Baby
6. Whining Boy Blues
7. River Of Time
8. The Terrible Operation
9. Full Go Round
10. Sleep Song
11. Good Shepherd
12. Water Song
13. Encore: Bar Room Crystal Ball

Then it was time to head for for with one day to get ready for the Dark Star Jubilee.

Drone Selfie

Drone Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then today we drove up to Thorneville, Ohio… a mere 90 miles away!

Backstage busses

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

I love this festival

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 19, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Dark Star Jubilee
Thorneville, Ohio
Saturday, May 27, 2017

1. True Religion
2. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
4. Barbeque King
5. I See The Light
6. Full Go Round
7. Sea Child
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. I Am The Light Of This World
10. River Of Time
11. That’ll Never Happen No More
12. Come Back Baby
13. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
14. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
15. San Francisco Bay Blues
16. Good Shepherd
17. Sleep Song
18. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Tomorrow is our electric set. The Dark Star Folks sure know how to throw a party!

Hard to imagine this is only 15 miles from Columbus

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Time to catch up on some rest… tomorrow is another day.

Onward!

The St. George Theater... who knew?

So last Saturday the mighty Tuna Trio had the honor of appearing at the St. George Theater in Staten Island. What an amazing venue… who knew indeed?

Bring on the cherubs...

Hot Tuna 13, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The St. George Theater
Staten Island, New York
Saturday, April 15, 2017

First Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
5. Can’t Get Satisfied
6. Sleep Song
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Been So Long
9. Ode To Billy Dean
10. Bowlegged Woman
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Second Chances
3. I Wish You Would
4. Come Back Baby
5. Sea Child
6. Trial By Fire
7. Good Shepherd
9. Funky #7
10. Hit Single # 1

Pickin' and grinnin'

Foto by Phil Jacobs

By the bye… while I was out in Westbury I was honored with this great award!

Love this honor!

Then it was back to Southeast Ohio where Myron and I settled down to overdub some guitar parts on a new project by my old pals The Ace Of Cups. The ladies started this great band in 1967… indeed perhaps the first all girl band… and they could all really play!

Myron critically eyes the board

The Ace Of Cups gals sent me three tracks to work on… a blues, a rocker and a finger picking ballad.

Pickin' and Wah'ing

This is going to be a great project and I was honored to be a part of it.

The back lot at the Johnson Hollow digs.

Then it was back to the Ranch to get ready for our camp this weekend with Eric Bibb, Happy Traum and me with an able assist from Tom Feldman.

Along the way I got to make some great shots around the Ranch.

Red Bud in the House

The redbud is everywhere right now… it is a paean to Spring in these parts and its beauty is delightfully ephemeral. In a week or so the blaze of color will be gone as green returns to the forest.

Twilight drones eye view of the A-Frame

I’ve been doing some sunset flying with my drones and was able to get some nifty shots!

Lake Hope after dinner

Welcome lights at the Beatrice Love Kitchen

Last light at the Fur Peace Ranch

Time to walk Big Maverick and get on over to greet the students…

Onward!

Space @ Westbury

Last time I was here was with Leftover Salmon.. this time it was a benefit for The Long Island Autism Communities. This time it was for a grand benefit!

The scene of the crime!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jorma Kaukonen 4, 2017
A Benefit For The Long Island Autism Communities
Space
Westbury, New York
April 13, 2017

First Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Sleep Song
3. Watch The North Wind Rise
4. Q and A with Steve Berensen
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy

Second Set:
1. Trial By Fire
2. Living In The Moment
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
4. Come Back Baby
5. That’ll Never Happen No More
6. Been So Long
7. How Long Blues
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: Barbeque King

Some fun Q and A stuff with Steve Berenson and money raised for a great cause! Then it was off to Brooklyn and another benefit for the Mighty Racoon Lodge!

This...

What a historic building. Al Capone is reputed to have gotten his famous scar here!

Or perhaps this...

What a gig this was…

Good stuff...

We definitely rocked the house on this one!

Hot Tuna 12, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
Benefit For The Guild For Exceptional Children
Brooklyn, New York
Friday, April 14, 2017

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Candy Man
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. In The Kingdom
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Ain’t In No Hurry
8. I See The Light
9. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
10. Bowlegged Woman

Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. That’ll Never Happen No More
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Sea Child
6. Trial By Fire
7. Good Shepherd
8. Funky # 7
9. Encore: Hit Single #1

Les Paul and 50w Marshall

Chet Atkins SST and the Louis Electric Twinmaster

Yeah… the boys and I were truly rocking on this evening!

What a venue!

Hot Tuna 11, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, March 18, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
5. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
6. I See The Light
7. Candy Man
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. In The Kingdom
10. How Long Blues
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. Whining Boy Blues
2. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Come Back Baby
5. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
6. Sleep Song
7. Good Shepherd
8. Living In The Moment
9. Keep On Trucking Mama
10. Bar Room Crystal Ball
11. Water Song
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Genesis

Jimmy Quigg exhorts the crowd...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Yep… this was a great one!

Brooklyn forthrightness...

Now we’re off to Staten Island and the St. George Theater. ‘Twill be another good one I’m sure.

Remember this? It's a phone booth!

Friday the 17th of March, we opened for our 20th year here at the Fur Peace Ranch. It has been such an odd winter… some really cold days, some really warm ones… lots of rain an not much snow. Weather… gotta love it. This weekend started out cold but wound up in the 50’s. Rainy and muddy… thinking about it… typical for Southeast Ohio. It was great having Jack back on site again and our annual Double Dose Class went well.

Saturday night Jack and I played a two set concert in the Station…

Hot Tuna 11, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, March 18, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
5. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
6. I See The Light
7. Candy Man
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. In The Kingdom
10. How Long Blues
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. Whining Boy Blues
2. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Come Back Baby
5. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
6. Sleep Song
7. Good Shepherd
8. Living In The Moment
9. Keep On Trucking Mama
10. Bar Room Crystal Ball
11. Water Song
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Genesis

We’ve got so many good things coming up this year… great classes an shows at the FPR, great gigs and tours coming up for me and Jack. Yeah, so far so good. Everyone is alive and well and you can’t ask for much more than that. Spring is here now and I look forward to some of this mud drying up.

Onward!

Thank goodness...

The last time I was in San Francisco I was devastated to find that my favorite noodle joint in the Kintetsu Center had gone under. Yep… the Mifune was gone. This time I was pleased to find that it was back in another location. A little different, but better than nothing.

Noodles… and then… The Fillmore!

Beautiful poster for the boys...

Justin Guip flew in for this one and we got ready to play some music… standing up!

It's not my '67 Plexi... but it did just fine!

We’re always stoked to play… but this was our first electric gig for a while and we were really looking forward to it.

The big stage...

Hot Tuna 4, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Fillmore Auditorium
Sunday, February 19, 2017

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Candy Man
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Trial By Fire
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. Come Back Baby
9. Bowlegged Woman
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Hesitation Blues
3. I See The Light
4. Rock Me Baby
5. I Wish You Would
6. Sea Child
7. Sleep Song
8. Good Shepherd
9. Hit Single #1
10. Funky #7
11. Encore: Water Song

A lifetime of history!

Jack and I have played the Fillmore since the stage was eighteen inches high… an honor then, and an honor now!

Then on a rainy Monday we drove up to Grass Valley and played the Center For The Arts. Jack and I have history up here in this part of California and it was great to be back… Another sold out show as was the Fillmore!

Hot Tuna 5, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady
The Center For The Arts
Grass Valley, California
Monday, February 20, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. Candy Man
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. How Long Blues
9. Sleep Song
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Whining boy Blues
3. Second Chances
4. San Francisco Bay Blues
5. Come Back Baby
6. I’ll Be All right Some Day
7. Brother an You Spare A Dime
8. Sea Child
9. Good Shepherd
10. The Terrible Operation
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: In My Dreams

Now we’re going to dodge Oroville and the dam… and head up to Grants Pass Oregon to the Rogue Theater.

More anon!

Happy campers, pickin' and grinnin'

Another fabulous Fur Peace Ranch On The Road has come to an end and it is time for us all to return to our ‘normal’ lives… whatever that means.

A last look at Molokai and a search for whales...

Yep, this was a dandy alright. Vanessa and Izze and Montana flew back yesterday. True, it is still winter in Ohio, but home and our animals are there!

Pickers and family support...

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Time for me to close up my bags and head for San Diego where I will meet Jack Casady as well as Phil and Myron. Our first gig will be at the Belly Up in Solana Beach.

If I have to see one more beautiful sunset...

Yep, it’s been great… but I gotta be movin’ along…

More will be revealed!

So the day after Thanksgiving the boys and I played the Hamilton where only the day before we ate.

Hot Tuna 34, 2016
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The Hamilton
Washington, D.C.
Friday, November 25, 2016

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. I Wish You Would
5. Sea Child
6. Trial By Fire
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Feel So Good
9. Come Back Baby
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Things That Might Have Been
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Sleep Song
6. In The Kingdom
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. Funky #7

A damn fine show in the old hometown… then it was of to Glenside, Pennsylvania and the Keswick, which would be our last Tuna show for this run.

The Mighty Keswick

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 35, 2016
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The Keswick Theater
Glenside, Pennsylvania
Saturday, November 26, 2016

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. I Wish You Would
5. Sea Child
6. 99 Year Blues
7. I See The Light
8. Ode To Billy Dean
9. Bowlegged Woman
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Things That Might Have Been
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Feel So Good
6. Sleep Song
7. Good Shepherd
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. Funky #7
11. Encore: Hit Single #1s

A night at the Keswick was a fine way for us to end this little run, and the last Tuna show of the 2016. Then it was time for Jack and Justin to head to their respective homes and I wandered down to Richmond, Virginia and the Tin Pan.

A new venue for me... liked it!

Real nice folks...

Jorma Kaukonen 30, 2016
Jorma Solo
The Tin Pan
Richmond, Virginia
Sunday, November 27, 2016

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. How Long Blues
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. Sleep Song
8. Sea Child
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. I See The Light
11. Come Back Baby
12. River Of Time
13. The Terrible Operation
14. Living In The Moment
15. Watch The North Wind Rise
16. Good Shepherd
17. Bar Room Crystal Ball
18. Water Song
19. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
20. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Then it was time for a trip to New York.

Nice view of the Big Town!

The City Winery is always fun, and the burgers don’t suck either!

It was a dark and stormy night...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jorma Kaukonen 31, 2016
Jorma Solo
The City Winery
New York City
Tuesday, November 29, 2016

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

The man... and the barrels

Foto by Phil Jacobs

A good time at the Winery as always. Rain an traffic today on the way to Boston. Tomorrow I’ll be with Tedeschi/Trucks at the Orpheum and I’m really looking forward to it!

Yep... it's winter up in Stowe, Vermont

Hot Tuna 32, 2016
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center
Stowe, Vermont
Tuesday, November 22, 2016

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. I Wish You Would
5. Sea Child
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Candy Man
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Come Back Baby
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Feel So Good
6. Sleep Song
7. In The Kingdom
8. Good Shepherd
9. Rock Me Baby
10. Water Song
11. Funky #7
12. Encore: Hit Single #1a

A lovely winter interlude with portent of things to come down where we live!

Right next to Stage One

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 33, 2016
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The Warehouse
Fairfield, Connecticut
November 23, 2016

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Hesitation Blues
3. I See The Light
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Ode To Billy Dean
6. Sleep Song
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Come Back Baby
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Candy Man
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Flying Clouds
6. Sea Child
7. Good Shepherd
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. Funky # 7
11. Encore: Hit Single #!

Then it was down to the Warehouse in Fairfield, Connecticut. We had a rockin’ good time! Then right after show we drove to D.C. where we will be at the Hamilton tomorrow. Today, however, is Thanksgiving and I am thankful for so much. My son Zach was able to join us for the bountiful repast which we also had at the Hamilton.

This better not be our last supper!

Awesome dinner in peerless company!

Traditional

Jorma and Zach at the Hamilton.

My home town... not the way I remembered it... better!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there. Today, I have only First World problems…

Be well all…