On the way up to Grants Pass we passed the Oroville Dam… I can see why the evacuated the town. Uneventful for us though… and then we were at the Rogue Theater.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Lots of great people have passed through Grants Pass and the Rogue.

Hot Tuna 6, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady
The Rogue Theater
Grants Pass, Oregon
Wednesday, February 22, 2017

First Set:
1 Dime For Beer
2 Ain’t In No Hurry
3 Hesitation Blues
4 How Long Blues
5 Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6 Barbeque King
7 Things That Might Have Been
8 Death Don’t Have No Mercy
9 San Francisco Bay Blues
10 Trial By Fire
11 Sleep Song
12 That’ll Never Happen No More
Second Set:
1 Genesis
2 The Terrible Operation
3 True Religion
4 I See The Light
5 Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
6 Come Back Baby
7 Watch The North Wind Rise
8 Sea Child
9 Good Shepherd
10 Candy Man
11 Brother Can You Spare A Dime
12 Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13 Encore: Keep On Trucking Mama

A good time had by all…

Then on to Portland and the Aladdin.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 7, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady
The Aladdin Theater
Portland, Oregon
Thursday, February 23, 2017

First Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. I’ll Be All Right Someday
6. Barbeque King
7. I Am The Light Of This World
8. 99 Year Blues
9. How Long Blues
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. Where There’s Two There’s Trouble
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. The Terrible Operation
7. Come Back Baby
8. In The Kingdom
9. Good Shepherd
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. I Know You Rider

Then on to Seattle…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Time for a little dinner before the show… Pho, of course.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 8, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady
Benaroya Hall
Seattle, Washington
Friday, February 24, 2017

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Wolves & Lambs
5. Barbeque King
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. Trial By Fire
9. Sea Child
10. Whining Boy
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Heart Temporary
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
4. How Long Blues
5. Candy Man
6. Come Back Baby
7. Been So Long
8. The Terrible Operation
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Good Shepherd
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Genesis

Then a rockin’ drive over the Snoqualmie Pass to Spokane.

In Spokane were at a historic spot.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 9 & 10, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady
Chateau Rive At The Flour Mill
Spokane, Washington
Saturday, February 25, 2017

First Show:
1. True Religion
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. The Terrible Operation
6. Barbecue King
7. Heart Temporary
8. That’ll Never Happen No More
9. Sea Child
10. Trial By Fire
11. Whining Boy Blues
12. I See The Light
13. How Long Blues
14. San Francisco Bay Blues
15. Encore: Embryonic Journey
Second Show:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Been So Long
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Come Back Baby
7. Candy Man
8. In My Dreams
9. Wolves & Lambs
10. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
11. Living In The Moment
12. Watch The North Wind Rise
13. Sleep Song
14. Good Shepherd
15. Hesitation Blues
16. I Know You Rider
17. Encore: Re-Enlistment Blues

Then a very early airport call for the flight home.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then… beating feet for home!

Tomorrow I head on over to Charleston, West Virginia to play with Tedeschi/Trucks at the Charleston Municipal Auditorium. Looking forward to this as always.

Onward!

Larry Coryell
April 2, 1943—February 19, 2017

I was so sad to hear about Larry’s passing yesterday. Up at the Fur Peace Ranch we were all looking forward to sharing time with him later this year. He was going to teach and play a concert for us at the Fur Peace Station.

Larry and I go back a long, long time. I met him in New York City in 1966. It was one of the very early trips to NYC for the Airplane and we were staying at some ‘affordable’ hotel. It was either the Albert or the Van Rensselaer, I can’t remember. I think Mike Bloomfield introduced us and we became friends. As a musician Larry was light years ahead of me. I was just transitioning from folk music to rock and roll. The electric guitar and I were just getting to know each other. Larry graciously made this introduction attainable. He showed me lots of stuff I could never do, and some that I still do. Thanks buddy!

We reconnected about a decade ago when he graced us with his presence at the Fur Peace Ranch. One of the nice things about old friends is that no matter how long it has been since you saw each other, when you finally get together is seems as if it were only yesterday!

The second time Larry came to the Ranch, G.E.Smith was there too. I recall G.E. sitting in with Larry for a song or two. They did a version of Wichita Lineman I will never forget. Stunning!

There is never a good time for bad news and I was sorrowed to hear that Larry was gone. I will miss our occasional intersections but his spirit and friendship will live in my heart.

Fair winds and following seas brother… fair winds and following seas.

The last time I was in San Francisco I was devastated to find that my favorite noodle joint in the Kintetsu Center had gone under. Yep… the Mifune was gone. This time I was pleased to find that it was back in another location. A little different, but better than nothing.

Noodles… and then… The Fillmore!

Justin Guip flew in for this one and we got ready to play some music… standing up!

We’re always stoked to play… but this was our first electric gig for a while and we were really looking forward to it.

Hot Tuna 4, 2017
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Fillmore Auditorium
Sunday, February 19, 2017

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Candy Man
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Trial By Fire
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
8. Come Back Baby
9. Bowlegged Woman
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Hesitation Blues
3. I See The Light
4. Rock Me Baby
5. I Wish You Would
6. Sea Child
7. Sleep Song
8. Good Shepherd
9. Hit Single #1
10. Funky #7
11. Encore: Water Song

Jack and I have played the Fillmore since the stage was eighteen inches high… an honor then, and an honor now!

Then on a rainy Monday we drove up to Grass Valley and played the Center For The Arts. Jack and I have history up here in this part of California and it was great to be back… Another sold out show as was the Fillmore!

Hot Tuna 5, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady
The Center For The Arts
Grass Valley, California
Monday, February 20, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. Candy Man
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. How Long Blues
9. Sleep Song
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Whining boy Blues
3. Second Chances
4. San Francisco Bay Blues
5. Come Back Baby
6. I’ll Be All right Some Day
7. Brother an You Spare A Dime
8. Sea Child
9. Good Shepherd
10. The Terrible Operation
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: In My Dreams

Now we’re going to dodge Oroville and the dam… and head up to Grants Pass Oregon to the Rogue Theater.

More anon!

In 2001 a dear friend of mine and her then seven year old daughter were walking to school. They chanced to look up at Dad’s office there in the Twin Towers in time to see the first plane strike. In that microsecond Dad… and so many others were gone. They did not put a photo up down by the church… they did not have to. They knew where he was.

In the years that followed, the little girl grew to be a woman, but in that nanosecond back in 2001 the world changed for her in a profound way. The earth we inhabit would never be her home. Something broke, that would never be the same again. A week or so ago she chose to leave this life. It seemed it was a long time coming.

I have traveled quite a way in life and the times were not always good… yet I always felt there were better times on down the road. I believed my work on earth was not yet done. There is sadness in my heart to know that she did not live long enough to experience the ebb and flow of life. Perhaps for her it was always ebb. It is not for me to know this.

There is a profound sorrow in my heart to know that my young friend could never find peace on this side of the pale. Perhaps this is the way she needed to fly.

There are some broken things that can never be fixed.

‘Healing is the return of the memory of holiness…’

Deepak Chopra

Back on the mainland for a week now. I landed in San Diego and our first gig was at the Belly Up.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve played the Belly Up for years now… like coming home in a way.

Hot Tuna 1, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Belly Up
Solana Beach, California
Monday, February 13, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Dime For Beer
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Barbeque King
7. Been So Long
8. How Long Blues
9. Candy Man
10. Sea Child
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. I Know You Rider
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Hear Temporary
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. That’ll Never Happen No More
6. Come Back Baby
7. San Francisco Baby Blues
8. Living In The Moment
9. Sleep Song
10. Good Shepherd
11. Trial By Fire
12. The Terrible Operation
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Genesis

Nice way to kick off 2017. Next day at the Dana, Jack and I were part of a nifty foto shoot.

Foto by Myron Hart

Then it was out of San Diego and up to the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Again… many years at the Coach house. Nice to be back!

Hot Tuna 2, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Coach House
San Juan Capistrano, California
Wednesday, February 15, 2017

1. Dime For Beer
2. Ain’t In No Hurry
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Second Chances
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. I See The Light
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. Living In The Moment
11. Sleep Song
12. Watch The North Wind Rise
13. Good Shepherd
14. Come Back Baby
15. Candy Man
16. I Am The Light Of This World
17. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
18. Encore: Genesis

Then up to Santa Barbara to the Lobero.

California traffic in this part of the state is relentless…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We took a break from the traffic and stopped for some seafood in Malibu… then on to Santa Barbara and the rains came.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Quite a rain. 101 close south of Santa Barbara… The show must go on!

Hot Tuna 3, 2017
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Lobero Theatre
Santa Barbara, California
Friday, February 17, 2017

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
5. Barbeque King
6. I See The Light
7. Sea Child
8. Sleep Song
9. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
10. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Second Chances
4. Candy Man
5. Come Back Baby
6. Hesitation Blues
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Good Shepherd
9. San Francisco Bay Blues
10. In My Dreams
11. True Religion
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Foto by Jack Casady

Then a haul ass drive to San Francisco. Check into the hotel and head over to Berkeley for Jeff Pehrson’s surprise 50th birthday party at the Freight And Salvage. Jim Brunberg set this one up. Nice work Jim!

Love the Japan Center… took a little walk this morning.

I had my first Japanese food here on Buchanan street in the 60’s when there was still traffic on it. Still lovely!

Tonight Jack and Justin and I will be rocking the Fillmore Auditorium!

More will definitely be revealed!

Another fabulous Fur Peace Ranch On The Road has come to an end and it is time for us all to return to our ‘normal’ lives… whatever that means.

Yep, this was a dandy alright. Vanessa and Izze and Montana flew back yesterday. True, it is still winter in Ohio, but home and our animals are there!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Time for me to close up my bags and head for San Diego where I will meet Jack Casady as well as Phil and Myron. Our first gig will be at the Belly Up in Solana Beach.

Yep, it’s been great… but I gotta be movin’ along…

More will be revealed!

Saturday started with a trip to Lahaina for breakfast and of course I took yet another close up of the Banyan Tree. Our plans were to take the ferry to Lanai and visit the cat sanctuary.

Personally, I don’t think I would like to live on an island… too confining… but to be here when it’s winter in Ohio and to, in some way, make this a ‘work’ trip… how good does it have to get.

Izze loves kitties… we have four at our place. There’s Miss Kitty, the mistress of the Fur Peace Ranch, There’s Zammy and Aslan and Mary Katherine who came with us from Hillside Farm. There are also a number of visiting felines who come to share in the buffet when Maverick, Dog Of Light And Destiny, is not out. The feline sanctuary, was an amazing forever home for cats who would otherwise be destroyed.

The cats get medical attention, food, and a safe place to live. There were almost six hundred in permanent residence the day we were there!

Most of the animals were moderately friendly. The feral ones kept to themselves and we neither saw nor heard any cat fights.

Keep in mind that the Lanai Cat Sanctuary is a donation driven non profit organization. Check out their website, and if you love kitties… give them a few bucks. It is also ocean with an amazing view from a gentle hillside. What a location!

What a cool place. Yes, there is occasionally eau de cat poop tickling your nose, but hey… there’s over 500 cats! It could be worse… and the staff is constantly cleaning the grounds.

Then it was back to Maui in time for some late afternoon swimming.

Yesterday, of course, was Super Bowl Sunday. I didn’t have a favorite team. My Steelers were eliminated in the playoffs. I’m not fond of New England so I was rooting for Atlanta. Vanessa is a New England fan, so football at our place is always exciting. All this being said, I don’t think I have ever seen a more amazing game. My first NFL game was Super Bowl VII. Dolphins vs Redskins. We had tickets on the 50 yard line at the L.A. Coliseum. I was hooked and later I would have season tickets for the Oakland Raiders. I parked in Al Davis’ parking spot when I bought my first season ticket. Good times. Anyway…yesterday’s game was off the charts for me. Great football from two fine teams. I may never see a better one. Of course… there’s always next year.

Exciting stuff for sure!

I was up early this morning and out the window day was breaking in the most amazing way. I grabbed my camera and hit the beach!

You can’t make this stuff up!

Today we begin our second Fur Peace Ranch On The Road and I will be joined by my pal David Wolff. He and I will be teaching here until Friday morning.

Classes don’t start until this evening, so I think I’ll take a drive on the back side of the island to Hana.

More will be revealed!

Every time we come to Maui, a trip to Haleakala is mandated, and it never gets old. The drive to Kula is amazing enough, and then you enter the National Park. I show the Ranger at the gate my Golden Age Passport an me and my carload of family and friends are passed into the park free. Age is recognized at national parks.

This is one of those places here everywhere is a photo op and more. If you consider that the last eruption here was in 1790, it seems like yesterday.

We’ve been up here when the temperature was in the 30’s, but on this day, the low 60’s were delightful.

The power of nature is always awesome wherever you encounter it… it is truly in your face here!

To see vegetation so far above the tree line, is truly breathtaking.

Yeah, the hits just keep on coming!

What a great day Sunday was. Yesterday our Fur Peace Ranch On The Road began and we have been able to invite our creative souls with the sound of the ocean gently rolling in the background. Every now and then a whale breaches and a cheer goes up from the beach.

Good times!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Sometimes you have to make the best of where you are… and sometimes where you are… is the best!

Onward!