
Getting ready to ride out...
Kind friends all gathered ’round, there’s something I would say:
That what brings us together here has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle that holds us all inside;
Where strangers are as family, loneliness can’t hide.
You must give yourself to love if love is what you’re after;
Open up your heart to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.
Kate Wolf… Give Yourself To Love

Jerry, Izze, Dad and John get ready to leave the Ranch for Brooklyn
Foto by Brett Thompson
Life is a funny old dog… and sometimes a busy one. Friday of last week, Vanessa, Izze, John Hurlbut, Jerry Sullivan, Myron Hart and I hopped into our rented van and set of for New York.

The girls en route...
We had planned a surgical strike into the heart of Brooklyn where Barry Mitterhoff, Michael Falzarano and I were going to play a Marjorie Thompson fundraiser hosted by the Raccoon Lodge at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help. We were joined by some of Marjorie’s (and our) dear friends, Bob Doherty, Paul Karp and Greg Franklin who played a beautiful gaggle of songs to kick off the evening’s festivities.

Setting Bob, Paul, Greg and Barry up...
We were all here to not only honor Marjorie’s lasting memory, but to also raise money and help publicize The Rapunzel Project. Check this out… We got a chance to meet the amazing women behind this great project and, thanks to our brothers and sister of the Raccoon Lodge, raise a nice sum of money for the cause.

Follow the yellow brick road... either way...
My family rarely goes with me on the road, so to spend three days with friends and family in my world was a rare treat! Our hotel was right by the Brooklyn Bridge so I got a chance to walk across it for the first time. Imagine that… all the years coming to New York and I had never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Nice… very nice!

The Freedom Tower

The girls discuss the cuisine...

Two old birds waiting for the next big thing!
Foto by Izze Kaukonen
I have known the guys and gals of the Raccoon Lodge for quite a while… they love having a good time… and they love doing good works. People came from all over the United States for this show… bless them… but the sense I community I have always felt in Brooklyn was palpable. Saturday night we were all one.

The people came from all around... just to hear that crazy sound!

Like a high school dance...
Foto by Phil Jacobs
Here is our set list:
Jorma Kaukonen & Michael Falzarano
Kaukarano
Featuring Barry Mitterhoff
Marjorie Thompson Memorial Fundraiser
The Rapunzel Project
Our Lady Of Perpetual Help
Brooklyn, New York
With Thanks To The Raccoon Lodge
June 6, 2015
First Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. The Other Side Of The Mountain
5. Walkin’ Blues
6. Where There’s Two There’s Trouble
7. In My Dreams
8. Candy Man
9. Barbeque King
10. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Keep On Trucking Mama
3. Come Back Baby
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Whining Boy Blues
6. How Long Blue
7. That’ll Never Happen No More
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. Encore 1: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
12. Encore 2: Genesis
At this point in my life, people are passing at an ever increasing rate… and that’s just how it is. We hold them in our hearts and delight in the waves that they have made in the pond of life. Perhaps the ripples will subside in time… perhaps not. We shall see. As for Marjorie, her trials are over… but her memory will abide in my heart and in the hearts of her family and all who knew her. She would have loved the fundraiser, and she would have hated being lionized. That was her!
Our deepest collective gratitude to all those who made this event possible, including you all who came to Brooklyn from the corners of the earth.
Thanks all… deepest and profoundest thanks!
Love is born in fire; it’s planted like a seed.
Love can’t give you everything, but it gives you what you need.
And love comes when you’re ready, love comes when you’re afraid;
It’ll be your greatest teacher, the best friend you have made.
So give yourself to if love is what you’re after;
Open up your hearts to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.
Give Yourself To Love By Kate Wolf

The road home at Sideling Hill...