Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Gotta love Maine… after Thanksgiving dindin we headed north.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 44, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Waterville Opera House
Waterville, Maine
Friday, November 23, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Search My Heart
6. Serpent Of Dreams
7. How Long Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. Watch The North Wind Rise
11. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
12. Trouble In Mind
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
4. That’ll Never Happen No More
5. Hear Temporary
6. Whining Boy Blues
7. Sea Child
8. In The Kingdom
9. Good Shepherd
10. Come Back Baby
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. Water Song

Some truly great sounding rooms on this run!

Then on to Derry…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 45, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Tupelo Music Hall
Derry, New Hampshire
Saturday, November 24, 2018

First Set:
1. Candy Man
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Second Chances
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Come Back Baby
7. Full Go Round
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Waiting For A Train
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. I See The Light
2. Too Many Years
3. Ain’t In No Hurry
4. Nobody Knows You when You’re Down & Out
5. Barbeque King
6. San Francisco Bay Blues
7. How Long Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Good Shepherd
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. Bar Room Crystal Ball
12. Wager Song
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Genesis

Then down to Connecticut… Vanessa country…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 46, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
The Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Sunday, November 25, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
3. Serpent Of Dreams
4. Search My Heart
5. Barbeque King
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. Full Go Round
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. How Long Blues
11. That’ll Never Happen No More
12. Trouble In Mind

Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. I See The Light
4. Candy Man
5. Come Back Baby
6. Been So Long
7. River Of Time
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. Good Shepherd
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Water Song

Then a drive down to College Park, Maryland… my old stomping grounds. Jack and I have a Sirius Radio show today with Paul Schafer and then a gig tonight at the new City Winery in Northeast D.C. about which more shall be revealed.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After the final weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch and the cool show Hot Tuna did at the Station, we all saddled up and got on board the bus and headed up to New York for our Beacon show.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

It was our honor and pleasure to have our old pal Steve Kimock on board for this, our only electric outing on this run. I know the gig being the day before Thanksgiving made it difficult for some folks to get to the show, but that’s the date they had for us and indeed, it was better than nothing!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Soundcheck was smooth as silk and the show was butter!

Hot Tuna 43, 2018
The Electric Trio
Plus Steve Kimock
The Beacon Theater
Wednesday, November 21, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. I See The Light
3. Ode To Billy Dean
4. Talkin’ Bout You
5. Living Just For You
6. Wolves And Lambs with Steve
7. Sea Child with Steve
8. Hesitation Blues with Steve
9. Bowlegged Woman

Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Roads and Roads &
3. Trial By Fire
4. Watch The North Wind Rise
5. Sleep Song with Steve
6. Good Shepherd with Steve
7. Walkin’ Blues with Steve
8. Hit Single # 1 with Steve
9. Keep On Truckin’ Mama with Steve
10. Funky # 7 Steve
11. Encore: Water Song with Steve

This was certainly a fulfilling night for us and it was great to get to connect with so many old friends! After the show, we boarded the bus and drove up to Portland, Maine where we woke up on Thanksgiving Day and got together with Family and Friends for a fine dinner!

Timed foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

A more than satisfying week. Tonight the Acoustic Duo will be up at the Waterville Opera House in Waterville.

It’s cold up here, but we’re smiling!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Foto by jorma Kaukonen

Last weekend Magic Dick from the old Jay Geils band came to Darwin and played a more than awesome show with Shun Ng, a young guitarist from Singapore. They were indeed really something… we sure get some good guys to come to the Ranch! Jack and I opened the show with a little acoustic set:

Hot Tuna 41, 2018

Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, November 10, 2018

1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. Sleep Song
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Good Shepherd
9. The Terrible Operation
10. Come Back Baby
11. Water Song

Here Are the folks from the Classes that weekend.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

…and our final Masters Class Foto

Foto by Stephanie Layton

The week unfolded in an evolving way and before I knew it, it was the final workshop of 2018.

Drone foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The classes were great and Justin Guip flew in to play the show and then ride up to NYC for our Beacon show.

HEADS UP ALL! This year because of Thanksgiving Beacon doors are at seven… show starts at seven thirty. There is also new entry protocol and you may be wanded. A word to the wise is sufficient as my mother would say.

Anyway, Elecrric Tuna at the Fur Peace Station.

Rockin' with the bird!

Foto by Lee Cantor

Hot Tuna 42, 2019
The Electric Trio
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
And Justin Guip
The Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, November 17, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. Talkin’ Bout You
6. Sea Child
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Hit Single #1
9. Bowlegged Woman
Second Set:
1. Roads and Roads &
2. Keep On Truckin’ Mama
3. Rock Me Baby
4. Can’t Get Satisfied
5. Sleep Song
6. Trial By Fire
7. Bar Room Crystal Ball
8. Come Back Baby
9. Funky # 7
10. Encore: Water Song

The Chet gets the call...

Foto by Lee Cantor

We were glad that our friend Carey Georgas was able to make the trip from Texas and see the show. Catch ya down the road brother….

As the weekend wound down, I put my drone to work for the class shot in front of the Station.

Ther boys from the air.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

This morning, John Hurlbut and played for the campers at our famous Monday Morning Coffee Break Show.

...This land is your land!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Ready for NYC and the Beacon. Remember… Seven o’clock doors… seven thirty showtime!

On this Veteran’s Day so many come to mind… Family and friends, strangers who have touched my life… those who have served with honor.

My father, Jorma Sr. WWII U.S. Navy, Pacific
My uncle Pentti, WWII U.S. Army Pacific
My Uncle Tarmo WWII U.S. Army North Africa and Italy
Vanessa’s Uncle Bobby, WWII U.S. Army Battle Of The Bulge
Vanessa’s Uncle Milt, WWII U.S. Army Pacific
My Dear friend Chuck F. Vietnam U.S. Marines
My bestest pal Jerry S. Vietnam U.S. Army
John Hurlbut’s dad Ray, WWII U.S.Navy Pacific

Jerry, Chuck and Ray are still with us… the others have fought their last battle and moved on.

These I know, but of course there are countless others and in my own small way, I honor them all!

My friend Jim Bacon played this Paul Hyde song at our open mike today at the Fur Peace Ranch… here it is by Séan MCann. Give it a listen:

Forever Light Will Shine

Nuff Said!

Selfie by Jeff Anderson

So Sunday it was in the low thirties, but at least it wasn’t raining so Jeff and I saddled up and headed out in the direction of Lake Hope.

Foto by Jeff Anderson

It was chilly and overcast, but I got a hundred miles in before I got home. Gotta love these roads! Last night was open house night on Main St. down in Pomeroy so Nessa and I drove down to the river to check out the action. Our first stop Was at Bobby Carr’s Hartwell House.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Yeah I know, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet but just like everywhere here in the States, Christmas is making it’s presence felt in Meigs County.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

I love all this down home stuff…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Leaving the Hartwell House walked up to our friend Paige’s outfitting shop and bot some unwashed Levis.If you’re ever in Pomeroy, be sure to check out Front Paige Outfitters

After Paige’s we stopped off at Maureen’s Herbal Sage shop… and Bed And Breakfast.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Maureen has been making Jorma’s Rhythm Tonic for years. Check out the little clip. Good stuff!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Walking back to the Jeep I had to get a shot of our County Courthouse.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Yep, it’s in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Good times!

The leaves were falling as it poured rain last night and the culverts by our long driveway were filled to overflowing. This morning Nessa and I saddled up the Mule and with tools in hand, attacked the plugged mess.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

It feels good to get things done!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Finally we called it quits and went into town for a bite.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We we drove into town, I just had to take a shot of the blue sky and the flags.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Now it’s time to check on some election results.

Onward!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

As Jews Nessa and I were encouraged to go to services this Shabbat and, among other things, show solidarity for the victims and the families of the Tree Of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh. For a number of reasons this was not in the cards for out family but it is always in the cards to perform acts of service and ours was the two mile stretch of SR 681 that we have adopted as a site to clean.

Selfie by Vanessa

Rick, got us involved in the highway cleanup over a decade ago and he is getting ready to leave the area but we shall carry on the tradition. Brenda and our own John Hurlbut from the Fur Peace Ranch joined us as well as Andy from Athens… who brought doughnuts. To show up on a chilly Saturday morning to help pick up the incredible detritus that people empty from their cars is amazing indeed.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

It’s the little things we can do that really make a difference. Talk is cheap… I know, because I do plenty of it. It was more than a pleasure hanging with friends over bags of trash containing stuff you don’t even want to know about.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We were done by eleven… it was a Saturday morning well spent!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

ps Carhartts… Rugged as the men and women who wear them!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Firstly… Yeah, I went out and voted early. Whatever your position, you must vote, or you have no right to complain. Just saying…

Back at the Ranch, last weekend we had Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and Al Petteway. Jack and I have been friends for quite a few years now and after last weekend I count Al as one of my new best friends, and what a show he put on.

Unknown Fur Peace Photographer

Al was brilliant and Ramblin’ Jack put on a great show. At 87 years of age, he’s still the poop!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This has been a more than bizarre fall. Hot, cold… and over the last weekend, an intense hailstorm!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

There is heavy rain today but over the last couple of days I got to fly the bird and finally get some foliage shots.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

In the spirit of making every day count in some way, I’ve been cleaning up stuff down at the old A-Frame. My parents couldn’t get rid of a lot of this stuff before the passed… so now it’s finally up to me. It’s tough, but it’s getting done.

I think I’ll take a break and go into town.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

In the meantime… onward!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Here it is almost tomorrow which means another teaching weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch which means a song writing class with me and a DADGAD class with Al Petteway. DADGAD is like another universe for me so I’m really looking forward to this hang as well. Last weekend the hang was with Larry Campbell and Roy Book Binder which is always more than a blessing! Hubby Jenkins came in Saturday night to do the show at the Fur Peace Station, and what a show it was!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Sunday rolled around and it was time for the de rigeur camp foto and the student open mike.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The folks playing at the open mike just keep getting better and better… and then it was Monday.

Foto by Stephanie

Time is slipping by like water through my fingers. It’s Halloween weekend here in Athens. Nessa and I remember walking Izze through the neighborhoods in Athens with all the kids and their families… it was a group effort. She and her friends will be walking sans adults this year. Where did the time go? One moment it’s morning, and the next the shadows ae getting longer.

And so it goes…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

A couple of wonderful days at home in the middle of a tour. Odd, indeed… but most enjoyable. Nessa dropped Phil and myself at the bus chauffeuring the two of us in my truck. What a gal!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Time moves steadily, inexorably at any age, but now… in my time, it just slips through my fingers faster than I would like. I know better, but sometimes I try to hold onto the moments but they slip through my fingers like wisps of smoke. I wish it were otherwise, but it is not. Back out on the road, the routine is the routine. I’ve been doing it for most of my life and I have become comfortable with its inconvenience. It truly is what it is, and it certainly beats some of the alternatives.

We needed to to get to Chandler, Vermont and with the new government driving regulations, we had to allow for two days. With an overnight in Syracuse, we found ourselves in New England.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Hot Tuna 37, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Chandler Center For The Arts
Randolph, Vermont
Thursday, October 11, 2018

First Set:
1. Second Chances
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. Barbeque King
6. Sea Child
7. Trial By Fire
8. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
9. How Long Blues
10. Candy Man
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Whining Boy Blues
3. I See The Light
4. Come Back Baby
5. River Of Time
6. In My Dreams
7. Sleep Song
8. Good Shepherd
9. Bar Room Crystal Ball
10. San Francisco Bay Blues
11. I Know You Rider
12. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Phil Jacobs

The foliage up here is way ahead of our trees in Southeast Ohio but when the sun comes up on my morning tomorrow at home, I look forward to the glory of Fall.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After Chandler, we drove to the Cabot Theater in Beverly, Mass.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve been here before and it’s a dandy!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Hot Tuna 38, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Cabot Theater
Beverly, Mass.
Friday, October 12, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. How Long Blues
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Been So Long
5. Things That Might Have Been
6. Barbeque King
7. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Living In The Moment
11. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
12. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Heart Temporary
3. River Of Time
4. Nine Pound Hammer
5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
6. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
7. Sleep Song
8. Trial By Fire
9. Good Shepherd
10. Come Back Baby
11. Water Song
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then out to the Cape and the gig in Truro!

Foto by Phi Jacobs

A tent gig at this time of year is a little odd… but all my trepidation was for naught.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Being the naysayer that I can sometimes be, I expected the worst… and I got the best.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

The dinner was brought in by the good folks from Terra Luna in Truro. To say that this dinner was off the charts would be more than an understatement!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Whatever latent grumpiness was infesting me vanished with the first oyster! Boy howdy!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Seafood… garlic… peerless cuisine! Many thanks to Terra Luna. (Now closed for the season. I gotta get back next year!)

Hot Tuna 39, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
Payomet Performing Arts Center
North Truro, Mass.
Saturday, October 13, 2018

First Set:
1. Dime For Beer
2. Second Chances
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Search My Heart
5. Serpent Of Dreams
6. Barbeque King
7. Full Go Round
8. Sleep Song
9. Trial By Fire
10. The Terrible Operation
11. River Of Time
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. San Francisco Bay Blues
3. Come Back Baby
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
6. Genesis
7. Trouble In Mind
8. Whining Boy Blues
9. How Long Blues
10. Sea Child
11. In The Kingdom
12. Good Shepherd
13. I Know You Rider
14. Encore: Water Song

Up bright and early for the run to Albany and the Egg. No hotel for me and Myron… we would be heading home after the gig.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

We’ve been coming to the gig almost since time immemorial… or something like that. It’s always a pleasure!

Hot Tuna 40, 2018
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Sawyer Theater
@The Egg
Albany, New York
Sunday, October 14, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Wolves & Lambs
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Come Back BAby
5. I See The Light
6. Come Back Baby
7. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
8. Sea Child
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. Living In The Moment
11. That’ll Never Happen No More
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & burning

Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. The Terrible Operation
3. Heart Temporary
4. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
5. Barbeque King
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. San Francisco Bay Blues
8. Sleep Song
9. Good Shepherd
10. Nine Pound Hammer
11. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
12. I Know You Rider
13. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Phil Jacobs

After the show we dropped Phil and Jack off at the hotel. They would find their way home by other means while Myron and I would ride the bus. New DOT regs mandate that a driver can only drive for ten hours followed by an eight hour break. Whether this is good or bad is open to discussion. It just is. In the cowboy days we used to bang out fifteen plus hours. This makes the trip from Albany to Pomeroy short by about three hours. As a result, we’re spending the day in Cumberland while Chris, the driver, logs his eight.

It’s a whole new world, isn’t it?

As for jack and myself, to be able to continue to function at the level we demand of ourselves is more than a blessing and much gratitude is sent towards our higher power! I know destiny turns on a dime, but I’ll more than take this day. At home, there will b a couple of ‘days off,’ whatever that means. I’ll be doing Dad stuff with Izze until the weekend when we will be hosting our Rev. Gary Davis Weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch. Larry Campbell will be coming in as well as Roy Book Binder… two of my favorite people for sure!

One day at a time… and it looks like a good day! I’ll be home by nine tonight and life will go on.

A good run was had!

Onward!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

After Bethel, Jack went home while I (Jorma) did some book press for Been So Long and one of the first stops was to visit with some great folks up a Sirius/XM Radio.

I had just walked out of the elevator when what should I see?

Foto by Myron Hart

And if that wasn’t exciting enough…

Foto by Phil Jacobs

I’ve always been a fan of Als. I see him all the time on TV… and there he was! I felt like he was long lost family.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then a moment with Larry Flick

I;m a big satellite radio nut… so this was all very exciting!

Then it was off to the Boulton Center in Bay Shore.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

The Boulton Center is always a treat!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jorma Kaukonen 28, 2018
Jorma Solo
Boulton Center For The Performing Arts
Bay Shore, New York
October, 4, 2018

First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Barbeque King
5. I See The Light
6. Full Go Round
7. Sea Child
8. Watch The North Wind Rise
9. How Long Blues
10. Big River Blues
11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
12. Sleep Song
13. Trial By Fire
14. Good Shepherd
15. Bar Room Crystal Ball
16. San Francisco Bay Blues
17. I Know You Rider
18. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Lee Cantor

Then an after show run to the Odeum in East Greenwich, RI.

We heard about this diner… we had to go!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Yeah… Jiggers was awesome.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Jorma Kaukonen 29, 2018
Jorma Solo
Greenwich Odeum
East Greenwich, R.I.
Thursday, October 4, 2018

First Set:
1. Too Many Years
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Search My Heart
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. Come Back Baby
6. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7. Sleep Song
8. Trial By Fire
9. Watch The North Wind Rise
10. River Of Time
11. How Long Blues
12. San Francisco Bay Blues
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Been So Long
3. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
4. Things That Might Have Been
5. I’ll Be All Right Someday
6. Barbeque King
7. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
8. I See The Light
9. Living In The Moment
10. Sea Child
11. Good Shepherd
12. Water Song
13. Whining Boy Blues
14. I Know You Rider
15. Encore: Genesis

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Then a rush to the City Winery, but first a stop at WNYC and a chat with John Schaefer.

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Always good to chat about music with John… Good times!

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Jorma Kaukonen 30, 2018
Jorma Solo
The City Winery
New York City
Friday, October 5, 2018

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Been So Long
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Wolves & Lambs
5. River Of Time
6. Barbeque King
7. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
8. How Long Blues
9. Full Go Round
10. Sea Child
11. Watch The North Wind Rise
12. Wining Boy Blues
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. San Francisco Bay Blues
3. Come Back Baby
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. In My Dreams
6. Search My Heart
7. Sleep Song
8. Trial By Fire
9. Good Shepherd
10. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
11. Water Song
12. Trouble In Mind
13. Encore: Genesis

Good times indeed. Lots and lots of old friends.

After the show we drove back to Ohio so I could do a book signing at Lost Weekend, my friend Kyle Seigrist’s place

Foto by Phil Jacobs

Today, taking the kid to school… doing a little laundry and getting ready to hit the bus to head to Randolph, Vermont and the Chandler Center For The Arts.

As for me…

Good things come, good things go
If it lifts you up it will lay you low
People leave and they don’t come back
Life is a disappearing act…

Gretchen Peters
Disappearing Act

Give this one a listen… Disappearing Act.