Jack, Larry, Teresa and myself rehearse for Lockn'

Foto by Israel Love Kaukonen

Monday I drove over to Charleston, West Virginia to pick up Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams after their Mountain Stage show. Tuesday and Wednesday we rehearsed for our upcoming Hot Tuna show celebrating the music of Jefferson Airplane at Lockn’ in Arrington, Virginia.

Words to live by...

Tomorrow the Fur Peace Ranch is back in full swing with our first camp weekend after our summer break. Larry, Teresa, Jack and Justin (who’s driving in for the show) will be doing the concert on Saturday night.

More will be revealed…

Izze and Dad on the Mule

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

We’re good to go!

Izze's handcraft booth...

The Arts & Minds Fest at the Fur Peace Ranch exceeded our wildest expectations. Our new parking lots are a work in progress, but it’s getting worked out and all things considered, it went well. The vendors did well, including our lovely daughter Izze. Nothing like seeing the free market place in action I say.

Jack and I played a fine show (if I do say so myself) at the station and here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 22, 2015
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Sunday, July 26, 2015

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Sea Child
4. Watch The North Wind Rise
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Come Back Baby
7. I See The Light
8. Children Of Zion
9. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. New Song For The Morning
2. Trial By Fire
3. Barbeque King
4. Candy Man
5. 99 Year Blues
6. Bar Room Crystal Ball
7. Water Song
8. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
9. How Long Blues
10. I Know You Rider
11. Encore: Genesis

Earlier in the day, Jack Casady showed Izze his Diana bass, and let her get a sound. Izze’s full name is Israel Love Diana Lucy Kaukonen. Love was my Mom’s middle name and Lucy was John Hurlbut’s Mom… Diana, of course, Jack’s wonderful wife… may their memory be a blessing. Izze carries the names of strong women… it was nice to see her play the bass a little with Jack’s help.

Two beauties... in perfect tune!

Today I drove to Charleston, West Virginia to pick up Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams to bring them to Meigs County. They’ll be at the Fur Peace Ranch teaching this weekend along with Jack and myself and we’ll be joined by Justin Guip for an electric show Saturday night. We’ll also be working on our material for the Lockn’ Festival in Arrington, Virginia in September. We’re going to have some big fun on this one.

Then it was home for some much needed sleep.

Looking back on the road home...

Sunset on the fields

Good times…

A mule comes to the Ranch

Big thanks to Bill Kottyan and Athens Sportscycles for lending us his mule to ferry people from our new parking lot to the nerve center of Arts And Minds here at the Fur peace Ranch!. It was a beautifully hot but dry Ohio day, and everyone who rode appreciated it!

Marshall Ballew and Jerry Sullivan on the mule...

Marshall and Eddy surrounded us with great music on the lawn all day… thanks fellas!

After the guys I did a little set on the lawn at two PM and here it is:

Jorma on the Lawn
Arts And Minds Festival
Fur Peace Ranch
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, July 25 2015

1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Barbeque King
3. In My Dreams
4. Deaths Don’t Have No Mercy
5. San Francisco Bay Blues
6. Water Song
7. I Know You Rider

After my set Megan Bihn did a lovely set on the lawn.

Megan and Jorma in Brett's office...

Foto by Rusty Smith

Check out Megan’s work, you’re gonna love it.

Then as evening fell it was time for the long awaited return of It’s A Beautiful Day… with David and Linda LaFlamme.

They did a beautiful show… no surprise there… and I got to sit in for some numbers in both sets.

What a night!

Old friends get together!

Foto by Wally Himmelstein

A night an a day to remember. Now it’s off to the Fur Peace Ranch again for the second day of Arts And Minds. Free show with me at 2PM again and then an acoustic Hot Tuna with Jack and myself tonight in the Fur Peace Station. There will be lots of great food and crafts at the Ranch today. If you come down be sure to stop by my daughter Izze’s both and check out her work. Survival bracelets, paracord nicknacks… and worry dolls. great stuff, well made!

I’ll be there all day too!

OK… gotta run…

This has been an incredibly busy year for me… and that’s good. Self employed people don’t get days off, they’re out of work. I’ve had so many great gigs… some with Barry Mitterhoff, some with Jack Casady, some with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, the Dear Jerry show with Buddy Miller, Don Was, Sam Bush and a host of others! How good does it have to get?

The flip side, of course, is being away from home so much. Now, Vanessa and Izze are used to my being gone… that’s the deal. I love my gig, but I miss home when I’m gone. To be back on our farm for a couple of consecutive weeks is like Summer Vacation to me and I’m enjoying every moment. I’ve had a couple of great motorcycle rides and well… just having coffee in the morning in the quiet peace that only the country can give you makes my day.

Of course, even at home that madcap life that music brings surrounds us. Tomorrow and Sunday is our Arts & MInds Festival at the Fur Peace Ranch. Yep, the 25th and 26th of July from noon to eleven o’clock the Fur Peace Ranch the joint will be jumping. Both Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM, I will be playing a free set in the gazebo next to the Psylodelic Gallery. Saturday night there is a ticketed concert with It’s A Beautiful Day and Sunday, Jack and I will be doing another ticketed show… the acoustic duo. Cool beans.

Izze Kaukonen will be selling her Worry Dolls and Paracord Survival bracelets made by her own hand and I’ll be around all weekend to hang out and chew the fat.

My life is filled to overflowing… why should I slow down if don’t have to. Now… it’s time to walk Maverick, Dog Of Destiny, Dog Of Light…

Onward doesn’t even begin to cover it.

First of all… to my good friends at the Raccoon Lodge. I had planned a nice song dedication for you guys last night. It was such a windy evening that all my well laid plans vanished with the papers that wouldn’t stay anchored. I’ll make it up to y’all at the Beacon… promise. For those who might wonder who or what they heck is the Raccoon lodge, it’s a grand bunch of men and women who manage to do a lot of good works and have fun along the way. To Jimmy and the gang, I love you all!

Back to the GSBMF… My old pal Paul and his merry gang in the form of Jefferson Starship were on this great bill and I really enjoyed their set!

Jorma, Cathy, Paul and Jack

Jack and Justin and I took the stage after Lou Gramm and here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 21, 2015
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The Great South Bay Music Festival
Patchogue, New York
Sunday, July 19, 2015

1. True Religion
2. I see The Light
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Bowlegged Woman
6. Trial By Fire
7. Come Back Baby
8. Funky #7
9. Encore: Hit Single #1

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye! Here’s the ticket information for the Beacon Show!

Pre-Sale Date:

Thursday, July 23 – 10 AM to 10 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com/event/3B004EEAE8801A42

The password for both shows will be guitar (not case sensitive)

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JULY 24 AT 10:00AM

Showtime: 8:00pm. Tickets, priced at $55, $65, $75 available online at Ticketmaster.com, Beacon Theatre.com or by calling 1-866-858-0008

Be there… or be square!

Let'r rip!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Here we are rocking out on the stage at the GSBMF!

The MIghty Capitol!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Last night Hot Tuna and the good old New Riders shared the stage at the historic Capitol Theater in Portchester, New York. We all go back so many years with this wonderful venue… it’s an honor to be back again!

Michael Falzarano and Phil Jacobs

Here’s our tour manager with my old pal Michael, Falzarano. Nothing like hanging with old friends I have to say.

Jack adjusts his in-ears...

What a great crew at this venue…

The calm before the storm...

Here we go...

It’s always a pleasure to watch professionals work!

Jack's rig...

The Versatone, the Epiphone JC Bass, and the all tub Aguilar…

My rig... by Louis Electric

I observe Louis' vintage tub tester

Our pal Louis Rosano from Louis Electric came by and repaired my 1969 Marshall Steelface 50w on the spot! Thanks Louis!

Bring it on!

Whoa dude...

Then it was time for the rubber to meet the road!

Foto by Barry Berenson

Hot Tuna 20, 2015
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The Capitol Theater
Portchester, New York
Saturday, July 18, 2015

1. I See The Light
2. True Religion
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. A Little Faster
6. Trial By Fire
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Ode To Billy Dean
10. Good Shepherd
11. 99 Year Blues
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. Come Back Baby
15. Funky #7
16. Encore: Hit Single # 1

Water Song

Foto by Barry Berenson

Back in the dressing room…

It wasn't like this in the old days...

Check the picture on the wall. Who do you see?

Why I remember...

And then it was off to Long Island and the Great South Bay Music Festival

For Portchester… a night to remember for the Tuna Gang!

Nuff said!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Living the Dream...

Foto by Myron Hart

And then it was off to the State Theater:

Love this place... first time with Hot Tuna as I recall

Foto by Phil Jacobs

A great second Trio show for us… Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 19, 2015
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
State Theater
State College, Pennsylvania
Friday, July 17, 2015

1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. A Little Faster
5. Trial By Fire
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Rock Me Baby
9. 99 Year Blues
10. I See The Light
11. Come Back Baby
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Water Song
14. Funky # 7
15. Encore: Hit Single #1

Yeah folks, we just had a great gig last night… and looking forward to tonight sharing the bill with the New Riders at the Capitol Theater in Portchester.

The view from the stage...

Remember everyone, Beacon tickets go on sale Monday the 20th of July. Get yours early!

We’ve got Arts And Minds on the 25th and 26 of July at the Fur Peace Ranch… We had hoped to have Paul Barrere and Fred Tacket this weekend, but Paul had some health issues. We wish him the best… he is in our prayers!

If you haven’t gotten tickets to see Jack and me this is our only Ohio show that isn’t sold out this year…but it will be….you have to get tickets to this show. It’s fun weekend at Fur Peace Ranch during our Arts and Minds Fest. Come hang out with us. Here’s a Psylodelic Gallery link.

FurPeaceRanch Store
TICKET PURCHASES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE! Artists appear at the Fur Peace Station Hall while supplies last. We will have your tickets waiting for you at the gate, the day of the concert.ALL TICKETS ARE HELD AT WILL CALL (at the gate). WE WILL NOT MAIL TICKETS. Tickets Available on-line, at Blue Eagle Music Company in Athens…

This is going to be another good one!

Pulling into the loaing dock for the PAC show in Newark

Yes indeedy… this PAC is a pretty fancy fancy joint…

Nice facade

NIce cultural stuff

This certainly puts a nice face on Newark…

Old school remains...

I’ve got some great architectural shots here:

Not your neighborhood bar

The lobby

Come on in… what a great place!

Nice rosette on the ceiling

The view from the stage

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 18, 2015
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
Prudential Hall,
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Newark, New Jersey
Thursday, July 16, 2015

1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. The Other Side Of The Mountain
6. Trial By Fire
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Rock Me Baby
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. 99 Year Blues
11. A Little Faster
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. Funky #7
14. Encore: Hit Single #1

Backstage in Tuna's room

and then it was time to go...

Great gig… tonight we are at the State Theater in State College, Pennsylvania, an tomorrow we’re in Portchester at the Capitol Theater.

My Mom had the Canadian version of this...

You’re walking along the road in Great Barrington, thinking about breakfast and here’s this beauty in a parking lot. Nice… very nice!

Then, it’s on to Infinity… so to speak.

Does Infinity have a main entrance?

Foto by Phil Jacob

Yes… Infinity does have a main entrance, and this is it.

This is one of the best music venues of all time… right up there with the Fur Peace Station, of course!

This is one heck of a building for a venue!

The above is the back side of the building… when you walk in the front into the concert hall, this is what you see.

Beautiful stage set!

Back by the sound board…

Looking good!

Just looking around… every part of this venue is beautiful.

Take a moment to look up...

Here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 17, 2015
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Infinity
Norfolk, Connecticut
Tuesday, July 14, 2015

First Set:
1. New Song For The Morning
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Been So Long with Zach Kearse
4. Ain’t In No Hurry
5. The Other Side Of The Mountain
6. Hesitation Blues
7. Sea Child
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. Children Of Zion
10. Barbeque King
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Things That Might Have Been
3. Whining Boy Blues
4. True Religion
5. Come Back Baby
6. Where There’s Two There’s Trouble
7. How Long Blues
8. I See The Light
9. Good Shepherd
10. Bar Room Crystal Ball
11. Water Song
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Genesis

Yeah… this was a good one for Jack and myself! Now it’s time the prepare for our first electric trio gig with Justin Guip who will be our anchor man on the drum kit. Yep, we’ll heading down to New Jersey to the Prudential Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Yep… July 16, 2015!

And now… breakfast.

My two beautiful Jorma Martin M-30's