Jorma Kaukonen's Online Diary

Just a brief note to show I'm more than alive and well. We've had a baby and a little boy in the house this week and that doesn't allow for much on line time.

Everyone is well and happy and I'll be blabbing more in a day or so.

I never realized what luxuries my little Diary and Thoughts pages were. Zach has gone home and the baby is sleeping right now. Looks like at least half an hour of computer time. The little things... right?

Friday I took my son back to his Mom in Pennsylvania and then beat feet back to Southeast Ohio to meet Paul Sorvino and his daughter Amanda in Athens at the Blue Gator. They were doing a film shoot and wanted some local color. Along with the folks from The Last Chance Corral (an equine rescue unit) and the denizens of the Gator the shoot began about 2300. I had a couple of walk on lines and then Paul suggested that I play a song. I never go anywhere without my guitar so he didn't have to ask me twice. I was playing a slow blues and Paul started to sing. He was unbelievable. Now I know he sings opera for real, but he can really sing the blues! It occurred to me in that moment that I was jamming with Paul Sorvino in my own hometown.

Now I realize that Athens, Ohio is probably just a little bump in the road of the Sorvino family's life but I would like to encourage this man to make a roots album. I'd play on it in a New York minute and I know lots of other folks who would also! Yow!

On the ride home later that night snow continued to fall. April snow... and quite a bit of it. As I drove in the solitude drawn by my headlights glistening in the falling flakes it occurred to me yet again what an amazing world this is.

Onward!

Life now revolves around an infant in the house which is as it should be. I have been spelled for a few moments to write to some of my upcoming Level IV students and that is just what I shall do.

Maybe after bedtime tonight, some more thoughts will occur to me... or maybe I'll just go to bed. I'll take it either way!

Being home this week with the family has been just what the doctor ordered. The ever unfolding spectacle of chores has certainly been keeping all of us here busy, but with smiles on our faces.

Vanessa should be home from the Ranch soon and with Ernie Hawkins coming in from Pittsburgh, I feel a dinner at the Wild Horse in Pomeroy in order.

I think I'll wash up...

I'm wandering over to the Thoughts Page today with so ruminations on the passing of Kurt Vonnegut and a little more.

Last Saturday night we had Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and Sally Van Meter for our Station concert. Breathtaking show. Here are a couple of artists who just keep getting better and better. I'm glad I was here for this one! A sold out show and a treat for everyone.

Sunday I went up to Columbus and did an in store performance for our friend Kyle Siegrist. If you have a moment check out his website, www.lostweekenrecords.com. This is a record stor in the classic tradition. Anyway, I played for about an hour, hung out and signed stuff and chewed the fat.

Back at the farm, life goes on big time. We have an electric Hot Tuna show at the Station this weekend so I'm already starting to prepare for that.

Break out the Slant 6V and let's rock! I feel some serious twangage coming on.

Onward!

The week is running away from me. Anyway, at our local movie theater, The Athena Grand in Athens, they have these little things called Pre-Flix... little fifteen second ads before the previews. Anyway, tonight I'm filming a spot for the Fur Peace Station.

'Hi. I'm Jorma Kaukonen, inviting you to come see the musical stars at the Fur Peace Station Performance Hall at the Fur Peace Ranch.

It's just fifteen minutes south of Athens -- Take Route 33 to County Road 20, then turn left and follow the signs... for a night among th stars!'

The silver screen is calling me.

Jack and Barry came in last night. Woody Mann is coming in today and it looks like a full house at the Ranch this weekend. Electric Hot Tuna is playing at the Station tomorrow and the weather is looking beautiful.

I'm working on a lesson plan right now and then it's off to the Ranch. Gotta run!

One of my friends at Camp today said I had to suck it up and fit my online life into fatherhood, so here I am. Izze is asleep so it's time for a quick entry.

A simply beautiful day at the old Ranch today and I'm back in the teaching saddle. Playing the guitar and talking about myself all day... I can't do that when camp is not in session.

Tomorrow is the Electric Hot Tuna show so I'll write more about that then. In the meantime, like I said, what a beautiful day!

Yikes. Since I brought my computer to the gig today, I fugured I'd upload tonight's set list before I went home.

Erik Diaz came down from Akron today to joint Jack, Barry and I and we had a great night. Sold out show and if I do say so myself, we rocked. here is our set list:

Hot Tuna 6, 2007
The Quartet
Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
Barry Mitterhoff & Erik Diaz
The Fur Peace Station
Darwin, Ohio
Saturday, April 21, 2007

First Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Trial By Fire
3. I Wish You Would
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Living Just For You
6. 99 Year Blues
7. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave*
8. Barbeque King*
9. Bowlegged Woman
10. Talkin’ ‘Bout You

Second Set:
1. Sea Child
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Can’t Get Satisfied
4. Ode To Billy Dean
5. More Than My Old Guitar*
6. Hesitation Blues*
7. Late Breaking News*
8. Funky #7
9. Hit Single #1
10. Encore: Baby What You Want Me To Do?

It was nice to get the Jorma Epiphone back in my hands again... not to mention the Chet Atkins SST.

... and it's going to be nice to get home and into bed. Snorffle...

Man, have I been running behind the curve... but loving every minute of it. I'm taking out some time tonight after Izze goes to bed to do a little more writing in depth. I've been thinking a lot.

Life has been hectic but better than good. It is sometimes difficult to really grasp how good things are right now. I know that indeed this too shall pass, but I revel in the moment.

I'm off to the dentist's office with Vanessa. Izze and I will watch the fish.

More anon...

I had all these great plans to do some writing and none of them bore fruit. What did bear fruit was our day i Columbus yesterday. I met Barry at the airport, got some lunch, went to the local Classic Rock station and chewed the fat with Joe for a while... went to Ace In The Hole (another fine Columbus record store) did an instore for a couple of hours and then beat feet over to the Colombus Music Hall for our soundcheck.

The Cowboy Angels did more than warm the full house up, and I have to say... we didn't let them down. Barry was in fine fettle as always and there was some top drawer pickin'. Here is our set list:

Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff 26, 2007
The Columbus Music Hall
Columbus, Ohio
Thursday, April 26, 2007

1. Dime For Beer
2. There’s A Table Sitting In Heaven
3. Parchman Farm
4. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
5. Operator
6. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
7. I See The Light
8. Heart Temporary
9. I’ll Let You Know Before I Leave
10. More Than My Old Guitar
11. Fur Peace Rag
12. Barbeque King
13. Sea Child
14. Late Breaking News
15. The Preacher Picked The Guitar
16. Just Because
17. Encore: Genesis

Tomorrow I've got some more mowing to do... and by the way, our daughter was ten months old yesterday.

I spent four and a half hours mowing over at the Casa De La Paz at the Ranch getting ready for Izze's Baby Blessing tomorrow. What with riding and hand mowing there went the day. Still and all, moderately quick gratification. You do a good job and it looks great. What a concept!

Izze's in bed and it's raining all of a sudden. Oh no... that means the grass is growing again.

... and so it goes.

What a stunning day today. Our friends Ben and Nancy came in from Colorado last night and today they and Jerry B. and I went for a motorcycle ride on the river... the first in a long time. Blue sky, fluffy clouds... perfect.

Later in the afternoon Nancy went over to the Casa De La Paz for Izze's baby blessing and Ben and I just hung out in the back yard and 'qued hot dogs. After the blessing we joined the girls at the Casa and sat on the porch as the sun sank slowly.

A perfect family day... Perfect!