(There’s always late breaking news. Sometimes good, sometimes bad… and sometimes it just is. I got a call early this morning from a friend who told me that Robert Hunter had just passed. ‘Don’t say anything,’ he said. The family hasn’t announced yet. That’s what they wanted and that’s what I did. My orbit tangented Robert’s from time to time. I played on his Amagamalin Street. double LP back in the 80’s. We never really hung out, but over the years we occasionally worked together and… in a distant way he was a respected friend. I shall miss sharing the same astral plane with him.)

This picture was taken fifteen years ago easily… there we are, frozen in time for the times to come.

Fall is beginning to wrap its leafy fingers around us all here in Southeast Ohio. The end of another year is underway and even before it arrives I know that Spring will come again and the world will continue to spin. If indeed there is another destination for us when we shuffle off this mortal coil, I hope that Robert is there surrounded by people who will challenge his intellectual curiosity.

Fair winds and following seas my friend.

Back to the Ranch Diary

Yeah, it was a great road trip and he gigs were some of the best ever… great venues, great people to play with… good times! Sometimes I hear, ‘Yeah, you’re going home. Gonna kick back for a while?’ Are you kidding? Kicking back is not part of my existence, and for me that is a good thing! The detritus of the atmosphere in the bus finally caught up with me and as the week evolved I started to show signs of something. Tour Kennel Cough we call it. That said, I had two motorcycle rides to lead. It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it!

Foto by jorma Kaukonen

The big bikes all had five plus gallon fuel tanks so the gas stops were for the two Sportsters with peanut tanks. There were some detours due to Fall construction and the ride wound up being 130 plus miles… then back to the Fur Peace Ranch, a class, dinner and the concert with Rob and Trey with me opening the show.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

As time approached for set opener I had no voice at all. I grabbed John Hurlbut and asked him if he wanted to do the gig with me, and do all the singing. He said ‘Sure,’ and started to make up a set. What are friends for?

The Kaukonen/Hurlbut Allstar Review:

Embryonic Journey…..Jorma
Ballad of Easy Rider…..JK and JH
Kansas City Southern…. JK and JH
Oklahoma Hills…….JK and JH
The Old Homestead….JK and JH
Summertime…….JK and JH
Driftin and Driftin……JK and JH
All Along The Watchtower…..JK and JH

Thanks Brother Hurl, and… we gave the folks a great set!

Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley were awesome as they always are! Love these guys.

Before you knew it, Sunday came with Student Open Mike ans pictures et al.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Well… fall is coming but it’s warm today…

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

A great weekend with good friends!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We were getting short by this time, but the Moore was a great place to begin the endgame.

Hot Tuna 41, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With David Bromberg
@ The Moore Theater
Seattle, Washington
Friday, September 13, 2019

1. Been So Long
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Barbeque King
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Rock me Baby
6. Roads and Roads &
7. Hesitation Blues
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Baby What You Want Me To Do?
10. Trial By Fire
11. Sleep Song
12. Good Shepherd
13. Walkin’ Blues
14. Funky #7
15. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then down to Revolution in Portland

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 42, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With David Bromberg
Revolution
Portland, Oregon
Saturday, September 14, 2019

1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Living Just For You
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Letter To The North Star
9. Roads and Roads &
10. Baby What You Want Me To Do?
11. Come Back Baby
12. Sea Child
13. Good Shepherd
14. Funky # 7
15. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then to Eugene…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 43, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With David Bromberg
McDonald Theater
Eugene, Oregon
Sunday, September 15, 2019

1. Been So Long
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Barbeque King
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Rock Me Baby
6. Letter To The North Star
7. Roads and Roads &
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Sleep Song
10. Trial By Fire
11. Good Shepherd
12. Funky # 7
13. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

And then he tour was done.

Now it’s morning… and time to go to the airport.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We stopped in Billings for some needed rest in a bed that wasn’t moving… and then headed on to Bozeman.

Foto by jorma Kaukonen

Up in the AM and a moderately short drive to Bozeman.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 39, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Rialto Theater
Bozeman, Montana

First Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Barbeque King
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Letter To The North Star
6. Living Just For You
7. Bowlegged Woman
8. Trial By Fire
9. Sleep Song
10. Hit Single #1

Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Roads and Roads &
3. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
4. Walkin’ Blues
5. Watch The North Wind Rise
6. Sea Child
7. Good Shepherd
8. Talkin’ Bout You
9. Funky #7
10. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then a mad dash to Missoula…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Whereas the Rialto was modern in every respect, the Wilma is old school.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Lovely place… and we are back with David Bromberg and hs buddies!

Hot Tuna 40, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
With David Bromberg @ The
Wilma
Missoula, Montana
Wednesday, September 11, 2019

1. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?
2. I See The Light
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Can’t Get Satisfied
6. Ode To Billy Dean
7. Letter To The North Star
8. Roads and Roads &
9. Bowlegged Woman
10. Trial By Fire
11. Sea Child
12. Good Shepherd
13. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
14. Funky #7
15. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Meanwhile… back home it was almost a full moon.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Just lovely…

Now after an all night drive… we’re in Seattle. We have now driven from sea to shining sea!

My Uncle Pentti remembered landing at Leyte Gulf to the day he died. The WWII battles in North Africa and Sicily were a part of Uncle Tarmo’s short life. For my father, Jorma Sr. passing through the Philippines and landing in Japan after VJ Day was his story. For me, these are all episodes of Victory At Sea… a show I watched every week on TV as a kid. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s theme music is still burned in my aging brain.

My son was four when that plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington not far from where he and his mom lived. I remember calling to see if they were all right when the lines went dark. Our daughter was not even born yet. She has no memories of 9/11.

I got a call that morning from my friend Michael. I was going into a doctor’s appointment in Columbus. ‘I’ll call you back,’ I said and hung up. ‘Wait a minute. What did he say?’ I called back immediately but the cell service went dark. Nessa and I saw the first tower fall on a wall of TV’s in a Sam’s Club in Canal Winchester and the rest is more than history. Like so many we lost dear friends in the Twin Towers. Nessa went into the pit with Bob… a friend of ours who was a first responder at the time. We had driven to Manhattan that day for a funeral service.

Those days will forever be etched into my memory.

Today in my small way I honor those who fell on that beautiful Fall morning… and those who continue fall as a result of what happened that same Fall morning… September 11, 2001.

I do not forget today… and I will continue to remember.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Yep back to Red Rocks opening for our pals, Dark Star Orchestra! We were here a couple of years ago with Tedeschi/Trucks and it was more than awesome to be here again!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The weather turned with some much needed rain.

But then ended in time for our set.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 38, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Opening For Dark Star Orchestra
@ Red Rocks
Morrison, Colorado
Sunday, September 8, 2019

1. Been So Long
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Walkin’ Blues
4. Bowlegged Woman
5. Trial By Fire
6. Good Shepherd
7. Hit Single # 1
8. Baby What You Want Me To Do?

In spite of the weather delay our Dark Star Brothers and Sisters gave us our full hour… We had a blast! After the gig I was joined on the bus by a gaggle of Fur Peace Ranchers and we got to chew the fat for a while… Awesome. Then we saddled up and headed north for Billings, Montana.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Onward!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Fueling up this morning on I-70 I got out of the bus to watch the sun rise and it occurred to me that although I have complained about many things in my life, being on the road is not one of them. Maybe it’s growing up in a nomadic family from WWII to when I left home… who knows? I love my time at home with my family and I more than appreciate their everlasting tolerance of my wanderlust, but there is always something waiting down the road. Like Gretchen Peters says in one of her songs… ‘Heading where ‘the blacktop turns to blue.’

Yeah…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

OK… this little entry starts with the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, MO.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

This was to be our last gig with Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley.

Hot Tuna 35, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Sheldon Concert Hall
St. Louis, Missouri
Wednesday, September 4, 2019

1. Been So Long
2. That’ll Never Happen No More
3. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Ode To Billy Dean
6. Letter to The North Star
7. Sea Child
8. In The Kingdom
9. Bowlegged Woman
10. Trial By Fire
11. Hit Single # 1
12. Watch The North Wind Rise
13. Good Shepherd
14. Funky # 7
15. Encore: Come Back Baby with Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then on up to Springfield…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 36, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Gillioz Center For Arts & Entertainment
Springfield, MO
Thursday, September 5, 2019

First Set:
1. Serpent Of Dreams
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Barbeque King
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Ode To Billy Dean
6. Living Just For You
7. Wolves & Lambs
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Hit Single #1

Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Candy Man
3. Letter To The North Star
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Baby What You Want Me To Do?
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Sea Child
8. Good Shepherd
9. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
10. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
11. Funky #7
12. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Then a quick run to Kansas City, MO and a dalliance at Knuckleheads.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Knuckleheads was right next to the track and the trains kept a rollin’ all night long. We just made them part of our act!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

There was something energizing about being this close to an active freight depot.

Foto by Steve Smith

Hot Tuna 37, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Knuckleheads
Kansas City, MO
Friday, September 6, 2019

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. True Religion
3. Barbeque King
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Ode To Billy Dean
6. Letter To The North Star
7. Trial By Fire
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Baby What You Want Me To Do?

Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Come Back Baby
4. In The Kingdom
5. Watch The North Wind Rise
6. Good Shepherd
7. Hit Single # 1
8. Funky # 7
9. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Steve Smith

An overnight run to Denver for Red Rocks tomorrow with Dark Star.

I am truly grateful for these days…

Foto by Steve Smith

It’s been more than eventful and I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. Let’s get to it.

We left off after the Warner Theater in D.C. and our next stop was the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, N.C. In the past we played the Cat’s Cradle a number of times in earlier incarnations. I remember playing the gig with Oteil And The Peacemakers. Good times.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 30, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Cat’s Cradle
Carrboro, North Carolina
Tuesday, August 27, 2019

1. Candy Man
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Talkin’ Bout You
6. Wolves & Lambs
7. Living Just For You
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Come Back Baby
10. Sea Child
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Good Shepherd
13. Funky # 7
14. Encore: Water Song

Then it was off to Asheville and the Orange Peel.

It’s been a minute or two for us at the Orange Peel as well and it was great to be back. We also got to jam a little with Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 31, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Orange Peel
Asheville, North Carolina
Wednesday, August 28, 2019

1. Been So Long
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Barbeque King
4. Can ‘t Get Satisfied
5. Hit Single # 1
6. Sleep Song
7. Trial By Fire
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Sea Child
10. Good Shepherd
11. Walkin’ Blues
12. Funky #7
13. Baby What You Want Me To Do with Rob and Trey

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then it was time for a trip to Pelham, Tennessee and a gig in the Caverns.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Now this is a little bit different.

Foto by Jack Casady

This is really one of a kind…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 32, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Caverns
Pelham, Tennessee
Friday, August 30, 2019

1. I See The Light
2. Candy Man
3. Day To Day Out The Window Blues
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Talkin’ Bout You
6. Watch The North Wind Rise
7. Sea Child
8. Living Just For You
9. Bowlegged Woman
10. Can’t Get Satisfied
11. Sleep Song
12. Trial By Fire
13. Good Shepherd
14. Funky # 7
15. Encore: Baby hat You Want Me To Do? With Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then it was a solo Tuna show at our old stomping grounds, the Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I’ve always loved the Variety, but with the refit… it’s off the charts!

Hot Tuna 33, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
The Variety Playhouse
Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, August 31, 2019

First Set:

1. Been So Long
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Talkin’ Bout You
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Wolves & Lambs
6. Letter To The North Star
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Bow Legged Woman
9. Hit Single # 1

Second Set:
1. That’ll Never Happen No More
2. Living Just For You
3. Barbeque King
4. Walkin’ Blues
5. Baby What You Want Me To Do?
6. Whining Boy Blues
7. In The Kingdom
8. Trial By Fire
9. Good Shepherd
10. Come Back Baby
11. Funky #7
12. Encore: Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Another long drive after show… this time to Memphis and Graceland.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I was here at Graceland with my friend Jerry on a motorcycle run nine years ago… and so much has changed. Graceland is alive and well and it was an honor to play here!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 34, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
& Justin Guip
Graceland Soundstage
Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
Sunday, September 1, 2019

1. I See The Light
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Barbeque King
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Ode To Billy Dean
6. Letter To The North Star
7. Wolves And Lambs
8. Bowlegged Woman
9. Come Back Baby
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Trial By Fire
12. Good Shepherd
13. Hit Single # 1
14. Funky # 7
15. Water Song

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It’s been a hectic but rewarding run so far. I know there were people I was planning to see that somehow I missed and I apologize for this. Next time friends… next time!

A moderately short run up to St. Louis and after checking into the hotel our next stop was at Gokul Indian Restaurant on Delmar. 100% vegetarian… their food is off the charts!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Good food is good food.

OK… pretty much caught up. Sleeping in a non moving bed… awesome!

More will be revealed!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen