Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

A couple of wonderful days at home in the middle of a tour. Odd, indeed… but most enjoyable. Nessa dropped Phil and myself at the bus chauffeuring the two of us in my truck. What a gal!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Time moves steadily, inexorably at any age, but now… in my time, it just slips through my fingers faster than I would like. I know better, but sometimes I try to hold onto the moments but they slip through my fingers like wisps of smoke. I wish it were otherwise, but it is not. Back out on the road, the routine is the routine. I’ve been doing it for most of my life and I have become comfortable with its inconvenience. It truly is what it is, and it certainly beats some of the alternatives.

We needed to to get to Chandler, Vermont and with the new government driving regulations, we had to allow for two days. With an overnight in Syracuse, we found ourselves in New England.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 37, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Chandler Center For The Arts
Randolph, Vermont
Thursday, October 11, 2018

First Set:
1. Second Chances
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. Barbeque King
6. Sea Child
7. Trial By Fire
8. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
9. How Long Blues
10. Candy Man
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. I See The Light
4. Come Back Baby
5. River Of Time
6. In My Dreams
7. Sleep Song
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. San Francisco Bay Blues
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The foliage up here is way ahead of our trees in Southeast Ohio but when the sun comes up on my morning tomorrow at home, I look forward to the glory of Fall.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After Chandler, we drove to the Cabot Theater in Beverly, Mass.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve been here before and it’s a dandy!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 38, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Cabot Theater
Beverly, Mass.
Friday, October 12, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. How Long Blues
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. Barbeque King
7. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Living In The Moment
11. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
12. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Heart Temporary
3. River Of Time
4. Nine Pound Hammer
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
7. Sleep Song
8. Trial By Fire
9. Good Shepherd
10. Come Back Baby
11. Water Song
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then out to the Cape and the gig in Truro!

Foto by Phi Jacobs

A tent gig at this time of year is a little odd… but all my trepidation was for naught.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Being the naysayer that I can sometimes be, I expected the worst… and I got the best.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The dinner was brought in by the good folks from Terra Luna in Truro. To say that this dinner was off the charts would be more than an understatement!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Whatever latent grumpiness was infesting me vanished with the first oyster! Boy howdy!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Seafood… garlic… peerless cuisine! Many thanks to Terra Luna. (Now closed for the season. I gotta get back next year!)

Hot Tuna 39, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Payomet Performing Arts Center
North Truro, Mass.
Saturday, October 13, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Search My Heart
5. Serpent Of Dreams
6. Barbeque King
7. Full Go Round
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. The Terrible Operation
11. River Of Time
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. San Francisco Bay Blues
3. Come Back Baby
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
6. Genesis
7. Trouble In Mind
8. Whining Boy Blues
9. How Long Blues
10. Sea Child
11. In The Kingdom
12. Good Shepherd
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Water Song

Up bright and early for the run to Albany and the Egg. No hotel for me and Myron… we would be heading home after the gig.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve been coming to the gig almost since time immemorial… or something like that. It’s always a pleasure!

Hot Tuna 40, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Sawyer Theater
@The Egg
Albany, New York
Sunday, October 14, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Come Back BAby
5. I See The Light
6. Come Back Baby
7. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Living In The Moment
11. That’ll Never Happen No More
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & burning

Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Heart Temporary
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Barbeque King
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. San Francisco Bay Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Good Shepherd
10. Nine Pound Hammer
11. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After the show we dropped Phil and Jack off at the hotel. They would find their way home by other means while Myron and I would ride the bus. New DOT regs mandate that a driver can only drive for ten hours followed by an eight hour break. Whether this is good or bad is open to discussion. It just is. In the cowboy days we used to bang out fifteen plus hours. This makes the trip from Albany to Pomeroy short by about three hours. As a result, we’re spending the day in Cumberland while Chris, the driver, logs his eight.

It’s a whole new world, isn’t it?

As for jack and myself, to be able to continue to function at the level we demand of ourselves is more than a blessing and much gratitude is sent towards our higher power! I know destiny turns on a dime, but I’ll more than take this day. At home, there will b a couple of ‘days off,’ whatever that means. I’ll be doing Dad stuff with Izze until the weekend when we will be hosting our Rev. Gary Davis Weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch. Larry Campbell will be coming in as well as Roy Book Binder… two of my favorite people for sure!

One day at a time… and it looks like a good day! I’ll be home by nine tonight and life will go on.

A good run was had!

Onward!

Tucson and The Rialto were waiting for us!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

With memories of the tour with Leon Russell we hit the stage.

Hot Tuna 27, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
The Crest Theater
Sacramento, California
Tuesday, September 4, 2018

First set:
1. I See The Light
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. I Wish You Would
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Second Chances
6. Trial by Fire
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Wolves & Lambs with Steve
9. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve
10. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Roads and Roads &
3. Watch The North Wind Rise
4. Sleep Song with Steve
5. In The Kingdom with Steve
6. Come Back Baby with Steve
7. Hesitation Blues with Steve
8. Hit Single # 1 with Steve
9. Funky #7 with Steve
10. Encore: Rock Me Baby with Steve

Foto by Phil Jacobs

…and then a run to Albuquerque and the final show of the run!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

What a marvelous bit of resuscitated architecture.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 32, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
The KiMo Theater
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tuesday, September 11, 2018

First Set:
1. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. That’ll Never Happen No More
6. Sea Child with Steve
7. Wolves and Lambs with Steve
8. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve
9. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Living Just For You
3. Watch The North Wind Rise
4. Third Week In The Chelsea with Steve
5. Sleep Song with Steve
6. Good Shepherd with Steve
7. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
8. Funky # 7 with Steve
9. Encore: Hit Single # 1 with Steve

Some truly great folks at the book signing!

After the signing we started our drive home.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Fifteen years ago, my friend Jerry and I rode Rt. 66 from Santa Monica to Jackson and Lakeshore in Chicago. I’m sure glad we did it!

With a second driver so we could drive home without stopping we got home in Ohio on Thursday morning.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

I unpacked my stuff and when the fog cleared put one of my drones up to get a look around.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

It was a great road trip, but it is wonderful to be home. Time for a motorcycle ride!

Good times!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

except for this cathedral shot, i didn’t take any picks around the neighborhood surrounding the Crest. The street scene was like something from Fear The Living Dead. Rats and drug addled street people. I felt bad, but I didn’t want to be there. Inside the theater was a different story.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 27, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
The Crest Theater
Sacramento, California
Tuesday, September 4, 2018

First set:
1. I See The Light
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. I Wish You Would
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Second Chances
6. Trial by Fire
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Wolves & Lambs with Steve
9. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve
10. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Roads and Roads &
3. Watch The North Wind Rise
4. Sleep Song with Steve
5. In The Kingdom with Steve
6. Come Back Baby with Steve
7. Hesitation Blues with Steve
Add… Walkin’ Blues with Steve
8. Hit Single # 1 with Steve
9. Funky #7 with Steve
10. Encore: Rock Me Baby with Steve

After the show we highballed it down to LA.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

And this, of course…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The day before the show at the El Rey we had a lovely dinner with Grace and a bunch of great folks in the business. Nice to connect in a social setting!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 28, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
The El Rey Theater
Los Angeles, California
Thursday, September 6, 2018

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Roads and Roads &
6. Trial By Fire
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Wolves And Lambs with Steve
9. Hesitation Blues with Steve
10. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
11. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. That’ll Never Happen No More
3. Watch The North Wind Rise
4. Sleep Song with Steve
5. In The Kingdom with Steve
6. Good Shepherd with Steve
7. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve
8. Hit Single #1 with Steve
9. Rock me Baby with Steve
10. Funky # 7 with Steve
11. Encore: Water Song with Steve

This was absolutely a killer gig among killer gigs. We played… a long time!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

And then up to Vegas and Brooklyn Bowl.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Vegas is a universe by itself, but we had a great time!

Hot Tuna 29, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
Brooklyn Bowl
Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday, September 7, 2018

First Set:
1. I See The Light
2. How Long Blues
3. I Wish You Would
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. I Am The Light Of This World
6. Trial By Fire
7. Sleep Song with Steve
8. Wolves And Lambs with Steve
9. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
10. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Living Just For You
4. Watch The North Wind Rise
5. Sea Child with Steve
6. In The Kingdom with Steve
7. Good Shepherd with Steve
8. Come Back Baby with Steve
9. Funky # 7 with Steve
10. Encore: Hit Single #1 with Steve

Foto by Phil Jacobs

From Vegas a dash to Scottsdale, where it was 90 degrees Fahrenheit at 9 in the morning. Yikes.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 30, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts
Scottsdale, Arizona
Saturday, September 8, 2018

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Roads and Roads &
6. Trial By Fire
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Hesitation Blues with Steve
9. Come Back Baby with Steve
10. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. I Know You Rider
3. How Long Blues
4. Sleep Song with Steve
5. In The Kingdom with Steve
6. Good Shepherd with Steve
7. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
8. Funky #7 with Steve
9. Encore: Hit Single #1 with Steve

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Another hang with some great folks to sign books.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

And then a short ride to Tucson where we will play tomorrow at the Rialto Theater. We were last here some years ago with Leon Russell. I miss that guy.

Bed time… hope this air conditioner works.

Well it was a hectic run of four gigs in a row. Lots of time spent in the bus and more than well balanced by the music we were able to make. After Jackson Hole we drove on out to Seattle.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We always run into old friends up in Seattle and this time it was Mike Shrieve.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 23, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
The Neptune
Seattle, Washington
August 30, 2018

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. I Wish You Would
5. Living Just For You
6. Wolves & Lambs with Steve
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
9. Bowlegged Woman with Steve

Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. I Know You Rider
3. Roads and Roads &
4. Trial By Fire
5. Sleep Song with Steve
6. Good Shepherd with Steve
7. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve
8. Come Back Baby with Steve
9. Funky # 7 with Steve
10. Water Song with Steve

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Many thank to these folks for bringing my book to the venue! Check out The Elliot Bay Book Company.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then it was down to Portland and Revolution Hall.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 24, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
Revolution Hall
Portland, Oregon
Friday, August 31, 2018

First Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Ode To Billy Dean
6. Hesitation Blues with Steve
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Hit Single # 1 with Steve
9. Bowlegged Woman with Steve

Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Roads and Roads &
3. Trial By Fire
4. I Am The Light Of This World
5. That’ll Never Happen No More
6. Sleep Song with Steve
7. Wolves And Lambs with Steve
8. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve
9. Rock Me Baby with Steve
10. Funky #7 with Steve
11. Encore: Water Song with Steve

Then it was on down to McDonald’s in Eugene.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 25, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
The McDonald Theater
Eugene, Oregon
Saturday, September 1, 2018

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. I Wish You Would
5. Living Just For You
6. Trial By Fire
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Wolves & Lambs with Steve
9. Come Back Baby with Steve
10. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. I Know You Rider
3. Roads and Roads &
4. Watch The North Wind Rise
5. Sleep Song with Steve
6. Good Shepherd with Steve
7. Walkin’ Blues With Steve
8. Hit Single # 1 with Steve
9. Funky # 7 with Steve

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Check out Tsunami Books. Old school… delightful!

Then it was an overnighter to Saratoga, California and the Mountain Winery!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It just couldn’t have been more picturesque.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

We were here in 2003 acoustic. We better not wait so long until the next time.

Foto by Myron Hart

Hot Tuna 26, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
The Mountain Winery
Saratoga, California
Sunday, September 2, 2018 Hot Tuna 25, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Candy Man
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Whinin’ Boy Blues
6. Trial By Fire
7. Sleep Song with Steve
8. Wolves & Lambs with Steve
9. Come Back Baby with Steve
10. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Roads and Roads &
3. Sea Child with Steve
4. Good Shepherd with Steve
5. Walkin’ Blues
6. Funky # 7
7. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Pete Stern

Foto by Pete Stern

The good folks who brought the books to the winery were from Books Inc. in Campbell, California.

The book thing is new to me, and I thank all of you so much!

Now we’re in Sacramento and tomorrow is the gig at the Crest Theater.

Now for some sleep in a bed that doesn’t move!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Our ‘day off’ in Jackson Hole was fraught with chill and rain. What else is new? That said, the day of the gig at the Center For The Arts was more than beautiful. Grateful we were!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

At Ned Fest we only had time for a line check. At the Center, with a full soundcheck Steve ‘Tonechaser’ Kimock had time to dial his rig in!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This is one swell little room. Thanks to our buddy Shannon who used to book us years ago at the Mangy Moose fro bringing us in!

Hot Tuna 22, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
Center For The Arts
Jackson Hole, Wyoming

First Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Candy Man
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Living Just For You
6. Sleep Song with Steve
7. Hesitation Blues with Steve
8. Come Back Baby with Steve
9. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Roads and Roads &
3. Watch The North Wind Rise
4. Trial By Fire
5. Sea Child with Steve
6. Good Shepherd with Steve
7. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
8. Hit Single # 1 with Steve
9. Funky # 7 with Steve
10. Encore: Water Song with Steve

Yesterday was the official launch date of my book, Been So Long, and the first of the signing sessions which I jumped into after our show.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After the signing we saddled up and drove to Missoula which was our mid point on the way to Seattle. We’ll get some day rest here and start driving around midnight for the show in Seattle at the Neptune.

Busy, busy… could be a lot worse.

Onward!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Well, it’s been a week since I left home. Our bus for this run, ‘Fast Times,’ pulled in shortly after sunrise and we loaded up for the journey to Colorado.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

I put the bird up for a quick flight, and took the moment to admire my new tin roof. Then we finished loading up and headed out.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The new FCC driving regs are too lengthy to list here, but the bottom line was that it took three days to get to Colorado. I could have made it in one in the old days… but I was younger then. Anyway…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

I gotta say, I love little towns like this. Driving across the Great Plains is majestic in an odd way, but seeing an A & W Drive In brings me way, way back!

We picked up Mr. Casady in Aurora at DIA and drove up to Nederland where we checked into the Sundance Lodge.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

The Lodge was up the road from Nederland not far from Eldora… and Nedfest was in the offing.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

There were more panorama shots than Carter has Little Liver pills so I just picked a couple for the blog.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

I sometimes get asked if I ever bring my bike on the road and the answer is ‘No.’ When I ride, I ride… when I play music, I play music. Focus on the good stuff at hand. Although, on this day I must admit I missed my 110 cubic inch Screaming Eagle Breakout. Oh well… onward.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Steve and I got together in the back of the bus before our set Saturday night at Ned Fest. Steve had more than done his homework, and it was more than good!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 21, 2018
The Electric Trio Plus One
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With Steve Kimock
Ned Fest
Nederland, Colorado
Saturday, August 25, 2018

1. Been So Long
2. San Francisco Bay Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Living Just For You
6. Sea Child with Steve
7. Hesitation Blues with Steve
8. Can’t Get Satisfied with Steve
9. Bowlegged Woman with Steve
10. Serpent Of Dreams
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Trial By Fire
13. Sleep Song with Steve
14. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
15. Hit Single # 1 with Steve
16. Funky #7 with Steve

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Up on Sunday morning, I snagged one more picture from the Sundance Lodge.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then it was back to Nedfest where I was scheduled for a solo set.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

It was still light when I hit the stage.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jorma Kaukonen 27, 2018
Jorma Solo @ Nedfest
Nederland, Colorado
Sunday, August 26, 2018

1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. True Religion
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
4. Barbecue King
5. I Am The Light Of This World
6. River Of Time
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Things That Might Have Been
9. Keep On Truckin’ Mama
10. How Long Blues
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. San Francisco Bay Blues
13. Second Chances
14. That’ll Never Happen No More
15. Come Back Baby
16. In My Dreams
17. Candy Man
18. Good Shepherd
19. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
20. Bar Room Crystal Ball
21. Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It was dark when I finished and we started our drive to Jackson Hole.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

And there you have it. Half the ‘day off’ was riding in the bus, but dinner is starting to sound pretty good about now. There was a sunshower with lightning a moment ago but now the shower is gone and the sun remains.

Done, and onward!

Saturday Myron and I drove 590 miles from the Fur Peace Ranch to Ronkonkoma. We barely stopped for gas on that run, so hen se go to the hotel we were starving. Fortunately, right next to the hotel was this:

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

La Villetta was quite simply… awesome! What a way to end the drive up!

Sunday we checked out of the hotel and drove to the venue in Patchogue. As an honorary Long Islander, there were lots of old friends as well as new!

Photographer unknown

I brought a box of the great Hot Tuna vinyl reissue of the first LP, and Jack and I signed them for the Company Store at the Fur Peace Ranch.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

It was a great hang. Got to hear my old pal Michael Falzarano as well as all the other great acts. We also got a little time to actually check our stuff out on stage before our set. Rare in a festival situation.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then our moment came…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 20, 2018
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Great South Bay Music Festival
Patchogue, N.Y.
Sunday, July 15, 2018

1. Been So Long
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. I Wish You Would
5. Sleep Song
6. Trial By Fire
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Come Back Baby

Dicky Betts and the guys were coming on after us but they had some setup problems and Myron and I had to leave before their set.

Foto by Myron Hart

Myron and I slept for some hours off of I-78 and then made it home. A fine surgical strike of music.

More anon!

Leaving for the Hot Tuna Show at the Great South Bay Music Festival at Shorefront Park on Sunday. We’re all sure looking forward to this. Yesterday I took Izze to meet her pals at Strouds Run and flew my drone a little bit.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

The girls are the little ants moving around down there.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Of course… the drone selfie…

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Got the truck loaded, gonna grab some Z’s and head for the gig.

Onward indeed!

Foto by Myron Hart

Last week I got to play on a tune for the great Joe Louis Walker for his upcoming project on Cleopatra Records out of L.A. Joe and I go way, way back to the early Fillmore days. It was such an honor that he asked me to do this!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Izze had a sleepover in a remote pat of the county I had never been to before. Lovely.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Lots of stuff to do this week. Driving up for the Hot Tuna show in Patchogue and heading home after our set. All things considered… it’s all good! Think I’ll go out to see what the pool is like right now…

Hmmmmmm….

A note from a Dissatisfied Fan
Sunday, June 10, 2018

You know, you just can’t please everybody and in my line of work, sometimes these feelings of dissatisfaction manifest themselves in the strangest ways. I just got a letter from a woman whose return address simply said, ‘Ms. Ripped Off,’ NYC. See Foto below.

I had to think about this one a little bit.

This is what I came up with:

Keep in mind; it’s always nice to get fan letters … good and not so good. It helps to keep everything in perspective. This one came this weekend and was one I just couldn’t pass up sharing.

The first few things that came to mind were that the only VIP packages that came remotely close to costing $250 were at the Beacon Theater almost two years ago and last years City Winery gig in Manhattan. We actually performed 4 nights at the Winery on that run and there was only one night that featured what the Winery folks called a VIP Package. As I recall, this VIP package without any extra’s was about $105. If you bought the whole package it was about $195 and included a lot more than just a meet and greet. The artist would participate in a brief meet and greet with a photo op for up to 50 persons prior to the performance as part of the Mastercard/City Winery promotion. The folks who bought this package were also treated to a visit to the winery room, a four course dinner and wine flight which is basically the tasters getting to describe a selection of wines, usually between three and eight glasses, but sometimes as many as fifty. I have no idea how many glasses were involved. I must note here that this event was in November 2017… 7 months ago.

The Beacon VIP packages are much different. You get VIP seating which is very nice and up front as I recall and a brief meet and greet after the performance with Jorma and Jack, which is always heavily orchestrated by Beacon staff. Another side note: this event was in December of 2016 almost 18 months ago. Now it seems to me that if Ms. Ripped Off really took umbrage at any of these events, she would have made her complaints known a long time ago.
Now as far as autographs are concerned, it is true that Jack Casady actually has a John Hancock style signature. It is truly magnificent and always looks the same. I will be the first to admit that my penmanship was miserable when I was a kid and remains so today. That said, whether or not you like my handwriting, it is mine and that’s the best I can do. Since I have absolutely no recollection of the incident Ms. R.O. describes, I can only say that while I am not normally a Chatty Kathy I would like to think that I am a moderately entertaining conversationalist if I am being made a part of an entertaining conversation. Good dialogue is a team effort. Perhaps Ms. R.O. should look in the mirror and spread the blame out a little.

Well, it is what it is, and VIP packages are what they are. At the Beacon for instance regular ticket prices are divided by price tiers and seat locations. They start at $69 then go up to $89 and $99. When you add a VIP option as pricey as it is, it’s a venue set price and they get a chunk of that fee. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it. Jack and I love our fans and try to be there for them as best we can without being untrue to ourselves, but buying a VIP ticket does not entitle one to make unrealistic personal demands. As far as the aforementioned Ms. R.O. not enjoying the show, all can say is I am a story teller and if you didn’t like the story I told that night that’s OK. Art is an ephemeral beast at best. You may not like what I had to say, but it is my right to say it in any way that I want.

Last by not least, since Ms. Ripped Off told me I suck, this is a fine time for me to quote my father, may he rest in peace. ‘Why are there so many more horses asses, than there are horses?’