Last Friday as the Blizzard of 2k16 was starting in Southeast Ohio, we drove up to Columbus to the airport to spend the nigh, poising for an early flight to San Diego. Down at the Fur Peace Ranch, the snow was already falling steadily. Up in Columbus, there was almost nothing. We had a non stop flight to LA early Saturday morning that originated on the West Coast so there was no delays due to the massive accumulation in the East. A short flight from LA to San Diego, and there we were…
Now it was in the fifties an sixties in SD and our local brethren were complaining about the cold. It’s all relative. So here I am, the opening session of our 19th year as a teaching facility. Who would have thought? All this said, and don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to be here for this opening session, but if I were home, I would be enjoying the winter wonderland. We are moderately self sufficient as these things are reckoned… generators… plows… all that stuff… and we live on top of a hill so flooding by the grace of G_d is not an issue for us. Now I realize that if a disaster were to be prolonged, survival would be a problem for us as it is for most people. I don’t see guitar playing as a big survival skill, but so far so good. We are blessed.
Things are beginning to clear up back home and if we are lucky, this will be the only big storm of the year. Hopefully life is returning to normal for the folks back east.
The next couple of weeks I’ll be out West and I’ll be weighing in from time to time.
Be well all!
Sorry for delay in response, I just saw your comment today.
First, RIP Paul.
His brother has the book, he’s keeping it along with the sand inside it.
@richu
I was just thinking yesterday wouldn’t it be great if Tuna and Starship played Woodstock again this summer and we had a Jefferson Airplane reunion at the end. Now – not to be. RIP Paul.
When you hit YouTube, look for the demo of Paul doing “We Can Be Together”. The media of course doesn’t realize what’s been lost or what it was while he was here. RIP PK. Someone very unique has walked among us and made changes in our lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all who knew him and loved him.
Such sad news…..I am so glad that I was able to see Paul and Starship twice this year. In July, he seemed fine. In November, Paul did not. Indeed, he did “soldier on ” with a rendition of Volunteers that had us all on our feet. So many great songs. I too love Blows Against the Empire. Like with Jorma, I saw that Paul enjoyed engaging with his fans. Years ago, he was with Jack as Starship at the IMAC in Huntington and after the show, he simply sat down crossed legged on the edge of the stage, with a cigarette, and chatted with a bunch of us. I’ll remember that down to earth quality in a truly legendary musician. rest in peace Paul. Thanks for so much great music .
Sad to hear the news about Paul. Blow Against the Empire was and remains one of my personal “desert island records”. RIP and condolences to family and friends
So Sorry to hear of the passing of Paul.
What a long trip it has been.
Do you remember playing in Durango up at Purgatory at Dantes back in the 80S..
I myself am watching all the folks who have graced our small corner of this planet who are true legends.
Paul is one of those folks who climbed the mountain high and sailed the deep blue sea; everything in between..
Godspeed
sad news about Paul,,another man done gone indeed…he seemed to be in failing health the last time we saw simply..but Mr. Kantner kept soldiering on,, performing that soundtrack that made a lot of us what we are.. whatever differences occurred between you all..the music shined its light above us all.. He was one of the great poets of my era.. and so it goes.. fare the well,,, and thank you for all you have given to so manyPaul, the Airplane, starship,, etc.. …have you seen the stars tonight.???…your in good company now brother, rest easy…
I’m saddened by the passing of of Mr. Paul Kantner.
R.I.P.
Paul Kantner has passed away. RIP Paul.
Paul Kantner is dead. Damn it.
Jorma my world is now a little less.
Good Grief.
Peace
Love All Ways
The snow is melting fast here in the East thanks to a really mild January thaw. It’s not San Diego though. Hope your classes go well and have some nice weather. See you in the spring – maybe Bethel Woods (Woodstock) again next summer.
@Barbara Jacobs
Wow…just caught this post before rest and had to reply.Thanks B.J. for all you do for our vets.will you save the sand or discard it?
How very true.
I’m out of town and visiting the brother of a Veteran.
He has, as one of his most valued possessions, the book from the “CD Guitar
Listen & Learn” set,
published in 1998.
The credits listed on it are:
“Cover Photo by Happy Traum
Recorded by Michael Falzarano at Hillside Farm Studios, Darwin, OH ”
It’s very worn and there is still the sand of foreign lands inside it.
His brother is no longer here and the CD is gone; to the time when he and his fellow brothers-in-arms got through “some tough times”.
@Jorma
@warren sehter
Warren: Hope to see you at the Mccabes show!
Wow, busy and don’t check favorite blogs for a while, miss a lot.
Jorma, Vanessa, Myron, Hurl and all, sorry about Pete. I never knew him but got choked up feeling the love.
Very cool you got to hang w Jerry Douglas for a bit. His Earls of Leicester set at Floyd Fest last year was an extreme highlight among many good sets.
Got to talk to Justin Guip a bit at the bar at the Ardmore Music Hall (practically in my back yard)during a duet interlude of Larry n Teresa’s show, good fun, all around nice guy.
And Congrats on the lifetime achievement award. 50 years!
Rock on.
Hi jorm…quick check in from deep upstate.light rain today with balmy temps,whatever snow was on the ground has pretty much melted and the lawn across the street looks amazingly green for late January!no one mowing yet but maybe by febuary?Gonna throw in a couple chunks of ash and let them simmer slow for the eve…should do the trick.Hope you have a great time out west.Richu
Dang, dang, dang. Completely missed this SD workshop. In town for a conference, and google map shows I am 2.2 miles from the Dana. Did I say dang?
Glad to hear you made it out and arrived in sunny San Diego – we’re stuck here in 2 feet of snow. Wishing I was there would be an understatement.
Enjoy it Jorma – you deserve it.
Have a great time in California!
see youvat mccabes
Amen to that. I keep a couple sets of strings in my ’emergency box’ with my special papers and all…just in case. Glad to hear your travels went without any hooha. I hope you have some good students to start off the new ‘school’ year.
“I don’t see guitar playing as a big survival skill….” Well, perhaps not, but listening to it has gotten a lot of us through some tough times.
That’s a fact Steve…