I’ve been home for over a week now and the weather has been interesting to say the least. These late summer days just seem to slip through your fingers… something you would like to hold onto, it’s there… and then it’s gone. Got to ride my motorcycle into town tonight… brisk going in… jacket coming home. Just makes me think as Summer bleeds into Autumn. Someday we all take that last ride… no telling when that might be so it’s up to us to make every one memorable.

Nothing like riding with friends. Last week it was with Jerry B. and tonight with Ted S. Yeah… it’s all about the ride.

May we all ride… ride free to the end of the earth!

Amein…

Onward!

Well, I didn’t make it to Mecca, in downtown Raleigh this time. More’s the pity. I love that little restaurant… we just didn’t have the time. We did, however, make it to the Lincoln Theater.

Cool...

Really cool!

I haven’t been here for a couple of years which is too bad… this is a really great sounding room!

One for each hand...

Here is my set list:

Jorma Kaukonen 39, 2015
Solo
The Lincoln Theater
Raleigh, North Carolina
Saturday, August 15, 2015

First Set:
1. New Song For The Morning
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Sea Child
6. Other Side Of The Mountain
7. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
10. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. The Terrible Operation
4. San Francisco Bay Blues
5. Come Back Baby
6. Where There’s Two There’s Trouble
7. Living In The Moment
8. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
9. Good Shepherd
10. Bar Room Crystal Ball
11. Water Song
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: I Am The Light Of This World

Then yesterday morning we beat feet up to old Annapolis and the Ram’s Head On Stage.

The good old Ram's Head...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I love this joint… It’s always great to play here.

Jorma Kaukonen 40, 2015
Solo
The Ram’s Head
Annapolis, Maryland
Sunday, August 16, 2015

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. In My Dreams
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. Death Don’t have No Mercy
8. I See The Light
9. Things That Might Have Been
10. Candy Man
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. That’ll Never Happen No More
3. Sea Child
4. Full Go Round
5. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
6. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
7. Living In The Moment
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: Genesis

Yup… that was my show…

Good night America!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Up bright and early this morning, dropped Phil at the train station and next stop, Fur Peace Ranch in scenic Darwin, Ohio. Boy is it nice to be home… Great little run, but there’s no place like home!

Me and George

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Last night we pulled into sultry Charleston for an evening at the Pour House. I was here with Barry four years ago and it was nice to be back.

Our names in chalk

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It was unseasonably cool in Charleston last night, which means, we didn’t break into triple digits.

The main portal

Foto by Phil Jacobs

This was to be a late night… I didn’t start until nine thirty. Two fun sets though, and here they are1

Jorma Kaukonen 38, 2015
Solo
The Pour House
Charleston, South Carolina
Thursday, August 13, 2015

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Ain’t In No Hurry
5. Other Side Of The Mountain
6. Candy Man
7. Barbeque King
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. I See The Light
11. Living In The Moment
12. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
13. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. San Francisco Bay Blues
5. Come Back Baby
6. River Of Time
7. How Long Blues
8. I’ll Be All Right Some Day
9. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
10. Good Shepherd
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Water Song
13. Nine Pound Hammer
14. Encore: Whining Boy Blues

Didn’t get back to the hotel until after one and then this morning we beat feet to Raleigh, North Carolina where tomorrow I will play the Lincoln Theater. Then it’s off to Annapolis, Maryland and the Ram’s Head.

Nice little tour… and I’ll be home on Monday.

Truly good times!

What the...

The view from the couch in the dressing room…

Aslan & Mary Cat

Back at Hillside Farm, we welcome Aslan and Mary Cat who have joined Zammy The Cat and Maverick The Dog in our fold!

In the temporal scheme of things, today… August 13, 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the very first gig of Jefferson Airplane at the Matrix on Fillmore St. in San Francisco. Wow… fifty years. Who would have thought? From then until now… an amazing journey. Many thanks to all!

Back in the present in this universe, I arrived in Macon, Georgia with Myron and Phil and had a chance to do a little sightseeing in the Mothership Of Southern Rock.

First of all… a man’s gotta eat, and so for breakfast we went to the H and H… and paid culinary tribute to Mama Louise.

Yep, this is the place!

Hmmm… what to eat?

Country ham breakfast, cheese grits and bacon marmalade

All gone...

Yummy… to say the least!

The engine room...

After breakfast, we headed over to the Big House… and a plethora of Allman Brothers history.

Nice gate...

There was so much great stuff to see and play with here… thanks to Brian Whitley for hooking us up with all the people who made this possible.

Me and the boys pose for a foto op

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Richard Brent of the Allman Brothers Museum made it possible for me to play Duane’s ’59 Les Paul Gold Top… what an honor!

Through the Marshall 50... not bad!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Yeah… what a treat!

Then it was time to head on over to the gig at the Capitol.

The Marquee at the Capitol...

Foto by Phil Jacobs

This was the front of the building. I love behind the scenes fotos as well, so check these out.

Where is that stage door?

Hmmm... maybe this one...

Is this the band bathroom?

OK… enough levity. Here is my set list:

Jorma Kaukonen 37, 2015
Solo
Cox Capitol Theater
Macon, Georgia
Wednesday, August 12, 2015

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. I See The Light
5. Come Back Baby
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
8. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
9. Living In The Moment
10. San Francisco Bay Blues
11. Children Of Zion
12. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
13. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. In My Dreams
2. That’ll Never Happen No More
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. The Terrible Operation
5. Barbeque King
6. Sea Child
7. Good Shepherd
8. Whining Boy Blues
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Genesis

Back in real time… we just pulled into the hotel here in Charleston, S.C. and we’ll be going over to set up at the Pour House in a little bit.

The road does indeed, go on forever… I hope.

Ah... the King Center

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Night before last I was t the King Center in Melbourne, Florida… another lovely gig for me:

Jorma Kaukonen 35, 2015
Solo
Studio Theater
At King Center For The Performing Arts
Melbourne, Florida
Saturday, August 8, 2015

First Set:
1. New Song For The Morning
2. Ain’t In Nor Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. Living In The Moment
8. Sea Child
9. Full Go Round
10. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
11. In My Dreams
12. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Second Chances
4. That’ll Never Happen No More
5. Come Back Baby
6. Candy Man
7. Good Shepherd
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball
9. Water Song
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. How Long Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: True Religion

The tech area at the King Center

Then yesterday morning I took our lovely daughter, Izze, to the airport and and home she went to Mom. I’ll miss that girl, but she needs to deal with our new kittens.

The it was off to Boca… to the Funky Biscuit.

Cool... looks like there should be a dentist office nearby...

But the Funky Biscuit… is cool!

What the....

This is certainly one of the best… if not the best, place to gig in South Florida!

My name in chalk...

Yeah… and the steak was great too!

Come on in!

The M-30 in the House Of Blues Lights

Jorma Kaukonen 36, 2015
Solo
The Funky Biscuit
Boca Raton, Florida
Sunday, August 9, 2015

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Heart Temporary
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Ain’t In No Hurry
5. Living In The Moment
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. Come Back Baby
9. The Terrible Operation
10. I See The Light
11. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. In My Dreams
3. How Long Blues
4. Candy Man
5. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
6. That’ll Never Happen No More
7. Barbeque King
8. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9. Good Shepherd
10. Bar Room Crystal Ball
11. Water Song
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Genesis

The burst M-30... a proud variant

Yeah… this was a great gig! After the show, I met some real nice guys who gave me a hat that belonged to Papa John Creach. Now, I’m normally not much of a hat guy… but I’ll wear this one with pride… in memory of Papa John! What a wonderful man! We all learned to much from him… and played some great music!

PJ's hat and me!

Yeah… good times.

Onward!

A simply beautiful venue!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We beat feet down and across Florida from Ponte Vedra to Clearwater and as we pulled into town I remembered that Barry Mitterhoff and I played this beautiful theater a couple of years ago. It was great to be back.

This was a solo date for me and the acoustics of the room were perfect for guitar and voice, in my humble opinion.

Check this joint out!

Here is my set list:

Jorma Kaukonen 34, 2015
Solo
Capitol Theater
Clearwater, Florida
Friday, August 7, 2015

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Second Chances
3. The Terrible Operation
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Come Back Baby
6. I See The Light
7. Things That Might Have Been
8. Candy Man
9. River Of Time
10. Where There’s Two There’s Trouble
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. Hesitation Blues
Second set:
1. Been So Long
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. I’ll Be All Right Some day
5. Living In The Moment
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Whining Boy Blues
8. Serpent Of Dreams
9. Good Shepherd
10. Bar Room Crystal Ball
11. Barbeque King
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: I Am The Light Of This World

Today we’re off to Studio Theater At King Center For The Performing Arts in Melbourne, Florida.

This looks like another cool venue… I’ll report on it tomorrow… I wonder if there’s a breakfast somewhere around here…

The scene of the crime...

Foto by Phil Jacobs…

Izze and me and the boys highballed it down to Florida and last night I played the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall here in Ponte Vedra. A beautiful venue with wonderful sound… this is the set I played while Izze got a mani-pedi.

Jorma Kaukonen 33, 2015
Solo
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
Ponte Vedra, Florida
Thursday, August 6, 2015

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. I See The Light
5. Hesitation Blues
6. Other Side Of The Mountain
7. Barbeque King
8. New Song For The Morning
9. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
10. How Long Blues
11. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Candy Man
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. That’ll Never Happen No More
5. Come Back Baby
6. Full Go Round
7. Sea Child
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. Water Song
11. In My Dreams
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Genesis

Now we’re back on the bus heading for the West Coast of this long state to play the Capitol Theater in Clearwater.

Gulf Of Mexico, here we come!

The King Of Strings bids all an au revoir...

Foto by Nicole Johnson

All weekends at the Fur Peace Ranch are very special… but this one was just… well… crazy fun!

Hidden in the lush foliage...

The food is always great… the fellowship, superb… the music celestial!

Here’s a class picture of my guys:

Great looking bunch of pickers...

Then it was time to pack up and great a little rest before the southern tour. My next stop is the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

The Mule in repose...

Foto by Nicole Johnson

That’s all folks… Onward!

Two blue moons in one month...

Yep, it was a blue moon down here in Southeast Ohio… the humidity dropped and it was a beautiful weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch.

Welcome to couples weekend...

Foto by Nicole Johnson

It just couldn’t have been a nicer weekend for teaching, learning, gigging and just hanging out at the Ranch.

Hurl and Nessa bond with Hurl's Girls...

Foto by Nicole Johnson

Every Couples Weekend features the always changing but ever delightful Hurl’s Girls… and here they are in the Psylodelic Gallery, secretly rehearsing.

Saturday night… it was concert time in the Station. First Jack and Justin and I played as a trio…

Old school... just three...

Hot Tuna 23, 2015
The Tuna Family With
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Teresa Williams, Larry Campbell
& Justin Guip
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, August 1, 2015

Trio Set, Jorma, Jack & Justin:
1. I See The Light
2. True Religion
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Trial By Fire
6. 99 Year Blues
7. Come Back Baby
8. Funky #7

Then after the set break it was time to bring out the Jazzmaster…

Nothing like a Jazzmaster through a Louis Electric

Foto by Nicole Johnson

Second Set adding Larry & Teresa
1. Children Of Zion with Teresa
2. Where There’s Two There’s Trouble with Teresa
3. Big River Larry & Teresa
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Bowlegged Woman
6. Wade In The Water with Teresa
7. Sweet Fern with Teresa
8. Bar Room Crystal Ball with Teresa
9. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning with Teresa
10. Water Song
11. Feel So Good
12. Encore: Sugaree

What a night of music for us!

Then it was Sunday and Student Performance.

All the gang for this weekend...

After the group foto, Vanessa and I blabbed for a bit… and then it was time a great Student Performance… some really great music, topped off by Hurl’s Girls.

Good times!

What a blast… one more workshop tomorrow morning and the weekend is done… and a great one it was!