Jorma Kaukonen's Online Diary

We just finished our gig at The Ark here in Ann Arbor and we're getting ready to drive to Cleveland. Thank goodness I'll be sleeping. Anyway, it was a great gig tonight and here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 18, 2007
The Ark
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

First Set:
1. True Religion
2. Candy Man
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. How Long Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Sea Child
7. Genesis
8. Late Breaking News
9. Come Back Baby
10. Parchman Farm
11. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning

Second Set:
1. Tom Cat Blues
2. More Than My Old Guitar
3. Living In The Moment
4. Trial By Fire
5. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
6. Fur Peace Rag
7. Barbeque King
8. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
9. Good Shepherd
10. Hesitation Blues
11. Just Because
12. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Tonight is the House Of Blues in Cleveland and tomorrow we're all going to the Hall Of Fame (that's Rock 'n' Roll, you know) and look around.
What's that noise I hear... oh it's my bunk, calling my name.

Good night...

I got up early today and headed over to the Rock And Roll hall Of Fame for an interview on Sirius with an old friend... Dusty Street. We chewed the fat for a while and then the boys met us there with the bus and my pal Meredith saw to it that we got a fantastic tour. What a trip down memory lane. Truly good stuff.

When we left the HOF we went to the House Of Blues where we set up for our gig tonight. Barry and I were in the small room and the sound was terrific. One of best times I've had at the HOB was tonight. Here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 19, 2007
The House Of Blues
Cleveland, Ohio
Thursday, March 01, 2007

1. I Know You Rider
2. More Than My Old Guitar
3. How Long Blues
4. Serpent Of Dreams
5. Heart Temporary
6. Fur Peace Rag
7. Come Back Baby
8. Sea Child
9. Living In The Moment
10. Late Breaking News
11. Hesitation Blues
12. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
13. Barbeque King
14. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
15. Been So Long
16. The Preacher Picked The Guitar
17. 9 Pound Hammer
18. Encore: Operator

Tomorrow is an early call for Pittsburgh so once again, off to bed. What a great day!

Yikes... I thought I posted something after the show last night. I guess not. What did I have for breakfast?

Anyway, Yesterday we played the Rex Theater. In some respects it's the venue time forgot... part of it's charm... and right across the street is a great Japanese eatery. The neighborhood has a Haight-Ashbury feeling with gentrification incursions abounding. It's a fun gig. Anyway, here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 20, 2007
The Rex Theater
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Friday, March 02, 2007

1. True Religion
2. Blue Railroad Train
3. Blues Stay Away From Me
4. How Long Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Heart Temporary
7. Fur Peace Rag
8. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
9. Come Back Baby
10. I Know You Rider
11. Living In The Moment
12. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
13. Bread Line Blues
14. Late Breaking News
15. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
16. Barbeque King
17. The Preacher Picked The Guitar
18. Just Because
19. Encore: Hesitation Blues

On the way to the show, Charlie our drive piloted the bus down street that you would have had a problem getting a Fiat 500 down. Amazing! Ah... the madcap existence of the open road!

We're off to Athens, (that's my Athens) to play at Hillelapalooza. This will be our last gig on this leg of the tour and then I'll be getting ready for the opening of the Ranch.

I'm ready for Spring!

Finally home for a bit. I hardly left the house this morning except to take care of the dogs and the cat. Yesterday we left Pittsburg and went straight to the Rotunda on campus at OU where they were already setting up for the Hillelapalooza fundraiser. Barry and I played and were joined by our pal Rob McNurlin for a bit. Here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 21, 2007
With Rob McNurlin
Hillelapalooza
The Rotunda
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio

1. Blue Railroad Train
2. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
3. More Than My Old Guitar
4. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
5. Late Breaking News
6. Come Back Baby
7. Living In The Moment
8. I Know You Rider
9. Enter Rob McNurlin: Cotton Fields
10. Don’t Think Twice with Rob
11. Workin’ On A Building with Rob

After the break with the silent auction et al, the Royales took the stage and played some great rhythm and blues. There were all terrific but since I'm a guitar player, I'm just going to comment on how good I thought John Borchard was. Swell picking!

I'm going to post this and get back to the couch until dinner. It sure is great to be home!

Wow, here it is Wednesday and I haven't gotten to the Diary for two days. We'll being home after you have been gone for a long time means that there are lots of things to do that might or might not be diary material. Yep, lots of stuff to do and a finite time to do it in with the first weekend of the camp coming up.

I've got to run to town and get some ducting for the dryer. Does it get more exciting than this? Not much today.

Onward...

Today is the opening day of the 2007 season at the Fur Peace Ranch. It is in the high 20's here right now, but it is going to be in the mid 60's before all is said and done. Spring is not here yet, but it is coming. It is true that I rode my motorcycle in early January, but strange to say that wos much like the tail end of the Fall of '06. Since then, Winter came in with a vengeance and the roads are showing signs of same. Yesterday, however, I did prep my bike and rode over to the Ranch. I will admit that by the time I started back to Hillside Farm at 1830 it was starting to get really cold. It's only an eight mile ride and I was glad it was that short. Still and all, I had a great ride and Spring will be here before we know it.

One of my friends passed away a week ago today up in Cleveland. I was saddened to hear that, but so it goes and the longer I stay alive, the more it happens. Sometimes it seems as if our time on earth is a such a fragile moment. We just always need to make the most of it.

Well, I'm going to make the most of it today. I get to play the guitar all day. How's that for a way to look forward to Spring?

In the interest of self serving promotion, I include this little excerpt from a Billboard review of my new CD, Stars In My Crown.

'Jorma Kaukonen has quite possibly never been further removed from his Jefferson Airplane days than he is on "Stars in My Crown." This new disc is ruled by an acoustic consciousness in the service of mainly spiritual tunes, including a fine rendition of the Rev. Gary Davis' "There's a Table Sitting in Heaven" and "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown." Kaukonen also takes a pleasing plunge on the reggae gem "By the Rivers of Babylon." When not tracking spirituals, Kaukonen offers excellent covers of Joe Kroker's "Mighty Hard Pleasure" and Lightnin' Hopkins' "Come Back Baby." The project is also notable for an abundance of good pickin', courtesy of Kaukonen, Rob Ickes, Barry Mitterhoff, Sally Van Meter and Tim Stafford.' Philip Van Vleck

I'll take it with thanks.

Back in my world, the first weekend of the Fur Peace Ranch with Marjorie Thompson and myself is going well. There's a great bunch of pickers here and we're all having a great time.

Last night I did a little hour show for the folks in the library. I didn't keep a set list, but the songs included, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Late Breaking News, Living In The Momnet, There's A Table Sitting In Heaven, Heart Temporary, That'll Never Happen No More, Roads & Roads &, Barbeque King and others. There's nothing like an acoustic guitar in a small great sounding room. You know I love it. Well, Daylight Savings Time came in this morning so with a slightly abridged snooze, I head on over to the Ranch.

The first weekend of our 2007 season concluded successfully yesterday. This was the solo Jorma weekend, so it was a little different but the spirit remained the same. A great bunch of folks showed up, new friends and old. For me, the magic was there in force and I was sorry to see everyone go. We'll catch up on down the road. There's more picking to be done. Marjorie Thompson was instrumental in making things a success and a hearty thanks goes out to her for her tireless efforts in tabbing, coaching and lending a helping hand.

It is in the seventies right now, and I am going to post this very short entry so I can take my motorcycle out and go for a ride. The trees are still stark and bare, of course, but warm is warm.

I'm outta here. Shiny side up...

The week has passed with preparations for the coming FPR camp which starts today. The excitement of life in general was heightened by Vanessa's flight to China. She left last night and our daughter will be in her arms by Monday morning. As I told my sister-in-law the other day, 'I may not look like I'm excited, but I am!' My son Zach will be with us over Spring Break so his career as a big brother will begin almost as mine as a new father does. Does it get much perfect than this? Not today.

By April First, I'll be changing poopy diapers. How appropriate. For now, I'm going to work to do some teaching.

Impending Spring vanished overnight and it is snowing as I write. Ah, weather in Southeast Ohio... you just can't beat it. Tonight Mary Gauthier headlines the stage at the Fur Peace Station, and Jack and I will be opening for her. It's an honor... I love Mary's art.

I'm going to dash over to the Thoughts Page for a little entry and then off to the Ranch.

What a weekend. Last night Jack and I opened for Mary Gauthier ar the Station. We had a great set and later I got to sit in with Mary for a couple of songs. Mary is such a tunesmith, it is an honor to play with her. She is one of my favorites. Just before the show, Vanessa called in from Hong Kong and was able to introduce us over the speaker phone. Is this a great time or what? Here is the set that Jack and I played:

Hot Tuna 5, 2007
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Acoustic Duo
Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, March 17, 2007

1. Hesitation Blues
2. Heart Temporary
3. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
4. Living In The Moment
5. 99 Year Blues
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. Come Back Baby
8. 9 Pound Hammer

This weekend has been so full, my cup truly runneth over. Tomorrow is an early morning for me. I want to be able to give my students a little extra... so it's off to bed. Blessings!

The weekend was magnificent. Great fellowship, great music, great food... and it didn't snow too much. We all missed Vanessa, but she will be home soon. It's a beautiful day so I'm going to take adsvantage of it and go for a motorcycle ride. I just wanted to say 'Hey!'

Vanessa is still in China with Izze and Robin and I have just spent the night in Charlotte on my way to Suwanee. The other day I was talking to Ness as she was shopping for diapers at Wal-Mart in Yunning. Global? I guess so.

In a week she'll be home with the gang and I will be there to pick her up. Now, it's off to Florida.

Well, we just got Barry at the airport and here we are in Live Oak. Tomorrow is the Suwanee Springfest and not only do I get to play with Barry, but also Roy Book Binder. Old friends playing together in the Florida Spring. Is this a great time or what?

I am indeed a lucky man.

It's been quite a while since I was at the Suwanee Spring Fest and I hope I don't have to wait this long again. Barry and I got to sit in a bit with my old friend Roy Book Binder on the Meadow stage. We did You Can't Do That No More and Statesboro Blues with Roy and then on our own we did Hesitation Blues, Uncle Same Blues, That'll Never Happen No More, I Am The Light Of This World and I can't remember what we finished up with.

The weather was flawless. Not too hot... not too cold and reasonable humidity. A magical day after the hard winter in Ohio. We got to hear Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks twice yesterday and they were great both times. In the evening at the Amphitheatre Stage we went on right after Dan's cool tunes.

Here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 22, 2007
Suwanee Spring Fest
Spirit Of the Suwanee Music Park
Live Oak, Florida
Friday, March 23, 2007

1. Tom Cat Blues
2. Heart Temporary
3. Parchman Farm
4. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
5. Come Back Baby
6. More Than My Old Guitar
7. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
8. Late Breaking News
9. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
10. Nine Pound Hammer
11. Encore: Embryonic Journey

Now we're off to Athens, Georgia. It's a little too early with a little too little sleep, but what else is new?

Onward...

Here we are in Athens, Georgia and yeah, I know the gig was at the Melting Point, not the 'Melting Pot.' My mistake. It was no mistake to play the gig though. What a great place. I hope we get to come back here. Great sound, great food, and great folks all over... not necessarily in that order. Here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 23, 2007
The Melting Point
Athens Georgia
Saturday, March 24, 2007

First Set:
1. Re-Enlistment Blues
2. Babe I Want You To Know
3. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
4. How Long Blues
5. Serpent Of Dreams
6. Heart Temporary
7. Bread Line Blues
8. Come Back Baby
9. Late Breaking News
10. Red River Blues

Second Set:
1. I Know You Rider
2. Operator
3. Barbeque King
4. Living In The Moment
5. Sea Child
6. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
7. 99 Year Blues
8. Uncle Sam Blues
9. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
10. 3rd Week In The Chelsea
11. Just Because
12. Encore: Genesis

Today is going to be a long one. No hotel in Knoxville. We go straight to Lexington after the gig. We'll clean up at the hotel there and then do Woodsongs after which we will drive to Lousville to drop Barry off at the airport and then drive home to Pomeroy. All in a days work.

Up and at'em!

Just a quick note and the set list. We're leaving right now after the show for Lexington, Kentucky. Here is said list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 24, 2007
The Bijou Theater
Knoxville, Tennessee
Sunday, March 25, 2007

First set:
1. Nobody Knows You when You’re Down & Out
2. New Song For The Morning
3. More Then My Old Guitar
4. How Long Blues
5. I See The Light
6. Heart Temporary
7. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
8. I Know You Rider
9. Late Breaking News
10. Come Back Baby
11. San Francisco Bay Blues

Second Set:
1. True Religion
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Sea Child
4. Fur Peace Rag
5. Let Us Get Together
6. Living In the Moment
7. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?
8. Good Shepherd
9. Uncle Sam Blues
10. The Preacher Picked The Guitar
11. Tom Cat Blues
12. Encore: I Am The Light Of This World

A good night.. now it's too bumpy to write. Later... onward!

We just finished up at the Woodsongs Show here in Lexington. We got to jam a little with David Bromberg, and all in all, it was a great experience. I didn't keep track of the songs... maybe I' ll figure it our with Myron's help. Anyway it was all good and a good time was had by all.

Now we're leaving for Lousville to drop Barry off and then it;s a straight shot to Meigs County and home. I look forward to getting in about 0600.

Onward!

A very long day yesterday filled with meeting missed planes, driving to alternate airports and finally the payoff. There's a baby in the house! Vanessa, Izze and Lady Robin were picked up intact in Cincinatti and are now here at Hillside.

Zack will be here in a day or two and it will be a full house for a week. Did I mention the beautiful weather? No?

It's all good!

Just a short note on the old Diary Page. Our daughter is sleeping right now. She's a happy baby most of the time. I'm off to get my son for Spring Break. It's going to be a full house for a while. The weather promises to be good so there will be lots of fun things for us to do.

I played the guitar for Izze last night for the first time. She smiled. Zach wants guitar lessons. I smiled.

This really is good stuff!