A Spring Day At The Psylodelic Museum

So last Friday was the opening day of the sixteenth year here at the Fur Peace Ranch and what an unbelievable weekend it was. First of all… it snowed all weekend. Actually, it snowed until Monday evening. Good times… Spirits were undaunted and however. The Psylo and the old Volkswagen looked great in the light blanket of white and even though it was snowing, the temperature was a little above freezing. A very nice set touch.

In any case, for this grand opening weekend we had myself, G.E.Smith , Steve Earle and Dick Boak and Craig Thatcher from Martin Guitars. What better way to start off what I know is going to be a great year. On Friday night after scheduled classes, Dick and Craig put on a multi media presentation of of guitar history that had all of us guitar geeks enthralled. Saturday and Sunday night Steve Earle put on two fantastic shows for two sold out houses.

If you build it... they will come!

I’ve been a huge fan of Steve’s since Guitar Town in the 80’s and to have him here not only in my own back yard but in our own house was, well, more than a blessing. G.E. and I have a chance to sit in with Steve towards then end of his second set each night. I played on Hometown Blues and a Lightning Hopkins number i forge the name of. Lightning through Townes, and Steve. Grand stuff! Steve taught a great songwriting class and we hope to have him back again. Thanks Steve!

Last but not least, G.E. and I have been friends for some time now and to have him in our corner at the Fur Peace Ranch is something we are always grateful for. To count him as a friend and fellow traveler is well… priceless! Thanks George!

Monday morning class in the Station

Foto by Zach Kearse

My son Zach was here in Ohio for his Spring break. He put in a man’s work this weekend doing security and parking cars for the shows, taking pictures for posterity and shooting show video for our videographer, Andy Walla.

What a great weekend… what a great time!

Onward!

PS Thanks to Mike McSteen and Jack Brandt… I know that the mysterious Townes song is Brand New Companion!

Thanks fellas…

Avanti!

Launching light at the Psylo

Last I went back over to the Fur Peace Ranch to see Chris Samardizch of the Brotherhood Of LIghts launch the beautiful light show he put together for us at the Psylodelic Museum. Hard to shoot decent pictures in low light with an iPhone… but all things considered, this isn’t bad. The projection on the Psylo was beautiful. The liquid light show with music on the second floor of the Museum, was breathtaking! Chris and his pals are true artists!

The weekend we are hosting Steve Earle who is not only teaching a writing class but is also playing two sold out shows Saturday and Sunday night. Also on board for the weekend is my good pal G.E.Smith who is always welcome here at the Ranch or anywhere. A good time is sure to be had by all.

Also on board for a presentation is Dick Boak and Craig Thatcher from Martin Guitars. We’re going to have big fun!

Good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are...

Sunrise over the Carlton Church

AS I drive past the Carlton Church on my way to town early this morning, I reflect with thanks on ‘Gottcha Day!’

All adoptive parents know what ‘Gottcha Day’ is! Adopting a child from overseas is like an elephant pregnancy. Nine months is only the beginning of the process. You are vetted (as you should be) endlessly… official forms follow you around, regulations change… but one day all that is over and you are told to come and get your baby… one moment you are not parents, and the next you are. You never know when the call is going to come. Vanessa and I had planned on going to China together, but as fates would have it, I was in Italy when the call came so Vanessa went with her sister, Robin.

Six years ago today, our daughter, Israel Love Diana Lucy Kaukonen was placed in Vanessa’s arms in Nanning, China. Today, she is here in Ohio in first grade and full of life, love, and opinions. Indeed, who would have thought?

Today I will try to express my gratitude for having been blessed with two wonderful children… Izze and Zach! Life is good… very good!

Yep… an early trip to town this morning to get my Four Door Jeep Wrangler serviced. I’ve had this First Gen. beauty for almost five years now and I’ll be the first to admit that it is not the thriftiest vehicle in the world (unlike my Fiat Abarth which is) when the going gets tough… mud, rain, sleet or snow… when you gotta get there.. the Jeep gets it done. Good for camping trips too. I wouldn’t be without it. I somewhat dislike using the word ‘love’ to describe inanimate objects, but I love this car.

Twenty eight degrees when I left the house this morning, but it’s supposed to warm up later and before I head back to town to pick up Izze and go to her class play, I’m going to take the old Harley out for at least a little cruise.

Obviously not much to say this morning except that it is beautiful out and I’m glad I’m here to enjoy it!

The ride from Negril to Montego Bay

Sunday Morning we were up bright and early and hopped on the little plane… to go to the big plane. Twelve minutes versus two hours… no point in arguing that.

Sunrise on the way to Montego Bay

Seventy five degrees in Columbus when we landed in the evening and a beautiful ride home to Hillside Farm. Thirty two degrees and snowing this morning, but you know what, I love it! I wouldn’t trade my farm for a sandy beach anywhere. Of course I don’t have to… I can enjoy the tropics and come home. Spring is here and the warm weather is not far away.

Heading to school to pick our daughter up from school. I’ll be Mr. Mom tonight with piano practice, homework and dinner. How good does it have to get?

Well… this week went by in the blink of an eye. It seems like yesterday we were getting off the plane in Montego Bay. Many thanks to Little Feat for cutting us in on this week in paradise. This afternoon, the boys and I joined by Larry and Teresa had another grand set and here it is:

Hot Tuna 16, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
With Larry Campbell
And
Teresa Williams
Breezes Resort
Negril, Jamaica
Saturday, March 9, 2013

1. Been So Long
2. There’s A Bright Side Somewhere with Larry C.
3. Big River Blues with Larry C.
4. Red River Blues with Larry C.
5. Candy Man with Larry C.
6. Uncle Sam Blues with Larry C.
7. Waiting For A Train with Larry C.
8. Deep Ellum Blues with Larry C.
9. Smokerise Journey with with Larry C. & Teresa Williams
10. Keep On Truckin’ Mama with Larry C. & Teresa Williams
11. Blues Stay Away From Me with Larry C. & Teresa Williams
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning with Larry C. & Teresa Williams

It doesn’t get much better than to be able to play music with your friends… and with this in mind… it’s early to bed and off to the airport before dawn…

Good times indeed….

Last night, Jack, Barry, Larry, Teresa and I held for about seventy five glorious minutes and here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 15, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
With Larry Campbell
And
Teresa Williams
Breezes Resort
Negril, Jamaica
Friday, March 8, 2013

1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. I’ll let You Know Before I Leave
3. How Long Blues
4. More Than My Old Guitar
5. Deep Ellum
6. Things That Might Have Been
7. Barbeque King
8. I Know You Rider
9. Preachin’ On The Old Campground
10. Sugaree
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball

Another absolutely great evening for this old picker… and… later in the evening in the middle of Dixie Chicken… Jack and I sat in with our friends in Little Feat. What a night. Today we have an early show at four… and then the banquet.

Nuff for now… gotta hit the beach for the last time before we go home tomorrow!

OK folks… hang onto your hats… a short entry with our set list for tonight. Check it out!

Hot Tuna 14, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
With Larry Campbell
And
Teresa Williams
Breezes Resort
Negril, Jamaica
Thursday, March 7, 2013

1. I See The Light
2. Genesis with Larry Campbell
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here with Larry Campbell
4. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today? with Larry Campbell
5. Angel Of Darkness with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams
6. Come Back Baby with Larry Campbell
7. Children Of Zion with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams
8. San Francisco Bay Blues with Larry Campbell
9. Vicksburg Stomp with Larry Campbell
10. Smokerise Journey with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams
11. White Rabbit with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams

Whaddaya thing about that?

The view from the stage at Breeze's

OK, so look… I’ve become infused with the ’soon come-ness’ of Jamaica. I came to the lobby of the resort here where the internet is the strongest. I had every intention of posting last night’s set list. When I opened my computer, I realized that I didn’t do the set list here… I did it old school long hand in my lyric book. Well… the book is back in our room… I am here… so I guess the set list will have to wait… maybe until tomorrow. Here’s the important stuff though. There was Jack Casady, Barry Mitterhoff, myself of course… but also Larry Campbell and the ever lovely Teresa Williams. Larry played every song with us except for the first one… True Religion. To play with my usual suspects is always a blessing… to add Larry to the mix is always a treat… when we get Teresa too… well, what more can one say?

We closed our show with Teresa preaching to the tune of Rev. Davis’ Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning. Of course… as always, she brought the house down with this one. As an encore… the boys and I pulled back with a (if you can imagine) reflective version of the great Jelly Roll Morton’s, Whining Boy Blues.

Paul Barrere just stopped by to say hey… big thanks to him and Little Feat for inviting us to the party… Gabe Ford, Little Feat’s drummer just stopped by with his small son and said Hey too… wow… all the stars are here… anyway…

Good times indeed!

Somebody's got to do it!

Well… life here at the Breezes Resort is pretty much perfect… I think I’ll hit the beach for a while…

Tough job, but…

Hey… here it is… the set list from last night:

Hot Tuna 13, 2013
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Barry Mitterhoff
With Larry Campbell
And
Teresa Williams
Breezes Resort
Negril, Jamaica
Wednesday, March 5, 13

1. True Religion
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out with Larry Campbell
3. Children Of Zion with Larry Campbell and Theresa Williams
4. More Than My Old Guitar with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams
5. Hesitation Blues with Larry Campbell
6. Barbeque King with Larry Campbell
7. Sea Child with Larry Campbell
8. Second Chances with Larry Campbell
9. Good Shepherd with Larry Campbell
10. 99 Year Blues
11. Mama Let Me Lay It On You with Larry Campbell
12. Goodbye To The Blues with Larry Campbell
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning with Larry Campbell and featuring Teresa Williams
14. Encore: Whining Boy Blues with Larry Campbell

Au revoir

Getting ready to pack the car for the airport yesterday

Yep, snowy Sunday as we were getting ready to head to Columbus to fly out to Jamaica for a week. Monday, the usual snafus happened… flights cancelled, flights changed… blah blah blah but it all worked out and here we are and guess what? It’s sunny!

My girls and the beach...

What a difference a day makes. Tonight Hot Tuna has a gig at the Breezes Resort here in Negril. Tough job, but someone’s got to do it.

More later… mon…