First of all… as Vanessa said… ‘Many, many thanks for all your collective, caring generosity!’ Izze thanks you too, and I bet the troops will also. In the cosmic scheme of things this is a small thing, but for us it is huge! Thanks again!

Tonight after dinner, Stefan Grossman and I put on a little show for the campers. I went on first, and since I was teaching a song writing workshop, I figured it was a night for all Jorma originals. Here goes…

1. I See The Light
2. River Of Time
3. In My Dreams
4. Embryonic Journey
5. Water Song

After my set John Hurlbut brought Stefan Grossman and the whole audience, including me, was enthralled by his show. Thanks Stefan… you are the man!

OK… that’s it for now. Off to bed…

Back to the Post Office

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Listen up y’all. First of all I would like to thank everyone who has already come through for Izze’s Cookies For The Troops Campaign. That said, as a doting father it is my sworn duty to put in one last plug for her drive. Today is the last day of the drive and she is still a little short of her goal… although between you and me, thanks to you all, she will be sending a more than a respectable number of boxes to our brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces. The drive will be over at nine PM Eastern Time and six PM West Coast time. I’m reprinting her original entry her:

A message from Izze………Hi everyone……As you will see in the iMovie my mom helped me make, it’s Girl Scout Cookie season and I have decided to do something a little different. It is my wish to have all of my orders for Girl Scout cookies go directly to the troops. If you are interested in helping me with this campaign there is no need to choose specific cookies. For instance, thin mints cannot be sent overseas, so we choose a very nice selection of everything else to send, then we will donate them to the troops who are serving in all branches of the Armed Forces. You can send your orders via email and the check (made out to Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 1328 ) to me at the Ranch…..c/o Vanessa Kaukonen, Fur Peace Ranch, Inc., 39495 St Clair Rd., Pomeroy, Ohio 45769. Cookies are $4 per box….so hopefully you are smarter than a third grader and you add it correctly. The deadline for the orders and the money is January 30th. Please email Vanessa at fpman@earthlink.net to let her know if you will be sending anything so you can be included in today’s final count. Thank you all so much!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gejud3MjcBw&feature=youtu.be

As we all know, if you don’t advertise, something terrible happens… NOTHING… so we’re advertising. Thanks for giving us a listen and a read…

We love you!

Onward

And what a man he was!

Pete Seeger and myself at Clearwater, 2011

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Pete Seeger passed away yesterday evening at 94. I just linked the New York Times article that pretty much tells his story so I don’t need to list his accomplishments here myself. That said, he was a great man and a noble human being. Pete figures in my story as a musician and an artist. In the early fifties, my Dad took me to see Pete at either Constitution Hall or Lisner Auditorium, I forget which. I think Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee might have been on the bill too, but it was a long time ago and I’m not going to bet the farm on it. In any case, did his thing. He Played banjo, six string guitar, 12 string guitar… he sang… he told stories.

I was mesmerized.

At that age, I was unaware of his forthright bravery and honesty in the face of political oppression. I just knew I loved what he did! I was lost in the amazing world of plucked notes and songs. Now I don’t think I was even playing the guitar yet… or if I was my skills were not even nascent. I knew that I had to meet the man. Against his will, my Dad took me backstage. Pete shook my hand… he let me touch his finger picks and his guitar. I felt as if the hand of G_d had just been run through my hair… it was that much of a blessing.

Years later I was on a benefit show at the old Lone Star in downtown Manhattan. I told Pete about our little meeting so long ago. he was gracious but nowhere near as excited about the intersection as I was. That’s OK… I got it and the honor was mine to be able to tell him how much he meant to me.

In 1996 when Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Pete Seeger was one of our co-inductees. It was a highlight that I will remember all of my life that i was among those able to play Goodnight Irene on stage with him.

He was one of those larger than life figures to me that seemed like he would live forever. Of course this is not to be for any of us. Pete now belongs to the ages and he and Toshi will be dwelling on another mountaintop. Rest in peace brother and sister… rest in peace. May your guitar always be sweetly in tune and always at hand. May your song always be strong… Rest in peace…

Fair winds and following seas…

The Facade Of The Rialto

Foto by jack Casady

It seems like a lifetime ago, but it was only two days. Anyway… the Rialto in Tuscon was our final gig with Leon Russell and his merry band of men. We’ll be back on the road with the boys in the Spring. Here’s a shot of us backstage:

Leon, Jack C., Jacky Wessel, Brandon Holder, Beau Charron, Me and Barry Mitterhoff

Leon Russell, and his guys are a noble bunch of fellows.

The man, the legend...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Anyway, here is our set list from the Rialto:

Hot Tuna 18, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Rialto Theater
Almost Speechless At The Rialto
Tucson, Arizona
Saturday, January 25, 2014

1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Izze’s Lullaby
4. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
5. How Long Blues
6. Watersong
7. Come Back Baby
8. Vicksburg Stomp
9. Things That Might have Been
10. Forgot this one
11. Sally Where’d You Get Your Liquor From
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. Follow The Drinking Gourd
14. I Know You Rider
15. Encore: Embryonic Journey

from the stage at the Rialto

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Last night we were at the Belly Up in Solana Beach… and here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 19, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Belly Up
Solana Beach, California
Sunday, January 26, 2014

First Set:
1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. Sally Where’d You Get Your Liquor From?
5. Children Of Zion
6. Mann’s Fate
7. Come Back Baby
8. 99 Year Blues
9. Candy Man
10. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Izze’s Lullaby
2. I See The Light
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. How Long Blues
5. Water Song
6. Vicksburg Stomp
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Barbeque King
9. Good Shepherd
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
11. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Always a good time there…

And now it’s on to Fur Peace Ranch On The Road for two weeks.

Onward…

Well, tonight the boys and i played the Talking Stick in Scottsdale… a very cool casino. Whatever has been afflicting me completely took my voice and we just played instrumentals. We played tunes I haven’t played in years. Living on the edge keeps you sharp.

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 17, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Non-Talking Set At The
Talking Stick Resort-Showroom
Scottsdale, Arizona
Friday, January 24, 2014

1. Sally Where’d You Get Your Liquor From?
2. That’ll Never Happen No More
3. Izze’s Lullaby
4. Hesitation Blues
5. Do Not Go Gentle
6. Uncle Sam Blues
7. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
8. How Long Blues
9. Mann’s Fate
10. Living In The Moment
11. Vicksburg Stomp
12. Water Song
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
14. Good Shepherd
15. Follow The Drinking Gourd

Tomorrow we’re off to Tucson and the Rialto Theater. We’ll wee what kind of show my voice, or lack thereof, allows me to do!

Onward!

We left Dallas around 0900 and headed out across Texas. Cruising along on I-10 Westbound, we saw a fearsome accident involving a number of big rigs… closing the Eastbound side and dropping Westbound to one lane. With a speed limit of 85 MPH a lot can happen in a very short distance. We drove slowly past the carnage and settled back into our highway rhythm and before I could watch two more movies, we arrived in El Paso.

If you can’t get good Mexican food in El Paso, where can you get it? The hotel restaurant was absolutely delicious and reasonable priced. What a concept!

Tomorrow bright and early we continue on our way to Scottsdale, Arizona and the Talking Stick Resort for our net show with Leon Russell.

Now it’s not like I didn’t nap aplenty on the bus today, but it’s going to be nice to sleep in a bed that is not moving.

Onward!

Well, Last night we were in Austin at the One World Theater and in spite of fighting off a cold, we had a heck of a time. Here is our set list from the One World:

Hot Tuna 15, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The One World Theater
Austin, Texas
Tuesday, January 21, 2014

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. How Long Blues
5. Children Of Zion
6. Serpent Of Dreams
7. Come Back Baby
8. 99 Year Blues
9. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
Second Set:
1. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
4. Candy Man
5. Living In The Moment
6. Good Shepherd
7. Goodbye To The Blues
8. I See The Light
9. I am The Light Of This World
10. I Know You Rider
11. Encore: Water Song

The Boys at the House Of Blues

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We just finished our House Of Blues set and here it is:

Hot Tuna 16, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
House Of Blues
Dallas, Texas
Wednesday, January 22, 2014

1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down An Out
2. True Religion
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Living In The Moment
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Come Back Baby
7. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
8. How Long Blues
9. Vicksburg Stomp
10. I See The Light
11. Prohibition Blues
12. Children Of Zion
13. Good Shepherd
14. Keep On Truckin’ Mama
15. Nine Pound Hammer
16. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Tomorrow is a ‘day off,’ which means we drive all day through Texas on our way to Arizona.

Good times. And speaking of good times…

What's not to like about Will Rogers?

Thanks to my buddy Mutt for this one…

Onward

Hillside Farm yesterday morning

Well, it was snowing yesterday morning at home on the farm… not so the case in St. Petersburg.

Not too shabby for January...

It was nice and warm when we played… good times:

Hot Tuna 14, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
Sunshine Music & Blues Festival
Vinoy Park
St. Petersburg, Florida
Sunday, January 19, 2014

1. San Francisco Bay Blues
2. True Religion
3. I See The Light
4. 99 Year Blues
5. Barbeque King
6. Vicksburg Stomp
7. Hesitation Blues
8. Red River Blues
9. I Know You Rider

Very nice backstage

We left at 0600 and started driving and here we are in Baton Rouge. Tomorrow we’ll be at the One World Theater in Austin and the next night at the House Of Blues in Dallas back on tour with Lean Russell and his guys.

Onward…

Me and the boys onstage at the Blues Festival

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Well, our gig today at the The 2nd Annual Sunshine Boca Blues Festival turned out to be quite the dandy and here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 13, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
Sunshine Music & Blues Festival
MIzner Park
Boca Raton, Florida
Saturday, January 18, 2014

1. Search My Heart
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Children Of Zion
4. Prohibition Blues
5. Come Back Baby
6. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
7. Good Shepherd
8. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
9. Nine Pound Hammer

Tomorrow at the crack of dawn we head up and over to St. Petersburg and Vinoy Park for the second edition of Sunshine Music And Blues Festival and I look forward to another grand time!

Onwardl

Sold Out show in Atlanta

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Well, night before last the Tuna/Russell show was at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta and here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 11, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
The Variety Theater
Atlanta, Georgia
Wednesday, January 15, 2014

1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Heart Temporary
4. I See The Light
5. Children Of Zion
6. Second Chances
7. Prohibition Blues
8. Goodbye To The Blues
9. Barbeque King
10. 99 Year Blues
11. In My Dreams
12. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
13. Good Shepherd
14. Let Us Get Together Right Dopwn Here
15. Nine Pound Hammer
16. Encore: Ball Room Crystal Ball

And then last night…

Yeah buddy...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

And last night at the Plaza Live in Orlando we played these songs:

Hot Tuna 12, 2014
The Acoustic Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Barry Mitterhoff
Plaza Live
Orlando, Florida
Thursday, January 16, 2014

1. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
2. Children Of Zion
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. I See The Light
6. Sea Child
7. Come Back Baby
8. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
9. How long Blues
10. 99 Year Blues
11. River Of Time
12. Good Shepherd
13. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
14. Candy Man
15. I Know You Rider
16. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Good times kids… and then this afternoon we were at Gear Hero and the folks treated us like gold. A good time was had by all. Now, tomorrow, we’re at the Sunshine Music And Blues Festival at Mizner Park and we’re looking forward to it and hoping for a nice warm Florida afternoon.

That’s it for now… don’t forget Izze’s Girl Scout Cookie project…

Onward