I’ve been on the road for a really long time. Sometimes we can afford the bus and sometimes I drive myself. It’s just what we do. I missed driving our daughter to her first sleep away camp last year. I was on the road. I missed Vanessa’s birthday yesterday. I was on the road. Happy birthday Vanessa. I love you to the moon and back! Again, it’s just what we do. That’s the gig.
Yesterday we were just making our turn out of the hotel to head over to the Bijou Theater for the first Hot Tuna gig of this little run when a possibly impaired driver came over the hill about a quarter of a mile away. Lit it up and didn’t even hit the brakes as he hit us head on!
No skid marks... right into the bus
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Jack and I were in the back lounge. It fell like the bus hit a concrete wall… and then we were stopped.
The Knoxville First Responders are awesome!
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
All the airbags deployed but he was going so fast he still hit the windshield.
A chance meeting... along the way
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Our driver is the best… and he had a dash cam that recorded the idiot coming at us. The officer simply said, ‘That’s all I need to see!’
Waiting for the wrecker
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
We backed off the totaled vehicle after the accident report and headed over to the theater.
Bus damage
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
One of the firemen was heard to say, ‘He picked the wrong vehicle to run into.’
There but for the Grace of G_d….
Then finally we got to the theater.
The Bijou in Knoxville
Foto by Phil Jacobs
We’ve been to the Bijou before… but it’s been a while. Nice to be back!
A beautiful old theater with pristine sound!
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Hot Tuna 10, 2016
The Acoustic Duo
Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady
The Bijou Theater
Knoxville, Tennessee
Thursday, March 29, 2018
First Set:
1. New Song For The Morning
2. Hesitation Blues
3. Been So Long
4. Barbeque King
5. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
6. I Am The Light Of This World
7. Watch The North Wind Rise
8. Sea Child
9. Genesis
10. Whining Boy Blues
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Serpent Of Dreams
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
5. Death Don’t have No Mercy
6. Candy Man
7. River Of Time
8. Come Back Baby
9. That’ll Never Happen No More
10. Sleep Song
11. Good Shepherd
12. Bar Room Crystal Ball
13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
14. Encore: Water Song
It’s been a while since Jack and I did our duo thing… but it’s like riding a bicycle.
The boys on stage...
Foto by Phil Jacobs
We simply had a grand time… especially appreciated after the events earlier in the day.
Happy Birthday Vanessa!
Foto by Phil Jacobs
Well, it’s 0644 here in Knoxville… we’ll be on the way to Jefferson Center in Roanoke before you know it.
Onward indeed…
Has “It’s Alright With Me” from the Tomorrow show ever been released? It’s a great version I taped from TV back in the day but I’ve never seen it since.
Great sets Thursday at the Bijou. It truly is a wonderful room with super acoustics. We had no idea about the excitement before the show, which went on as it must. (BTW, I spent the rest of the weekend buckled down learning Brother Can You Spare A Dime. Your version really caught my attention.)
Glad to hear you are all ok. And hopefully the other driver is too. Happy holidays!!
Rock Them All Over Tonight Jorma!
Whew! glad you guys are ok!
Baruch Ha-Shem!!!
@Rich L Wow, good question Rich. Being’s as I’m not of the. Jewish faith, I can’t answer your question. I would guess that it’s probably viewed as historic and symbolic. After all, most Christians believe that Jesus is both historic and symbolic. Type and shadow interpretation comparing the Old Testament with the New is how Christians reconcile Jewish theology with Christian belief.
I’m very curious about something. Do people of the Jewish faith believe that the blood of the lamb really prevented the angel of death from killing their firstborn son? I look at the Book of Exodus more as historical, than symbolic. in fact, without the backdrop of the Old Testament, Christianity makes no sense.
I know this is a heavy subject, but just curious if people of the Jewish faith believe things like the parting of the Red Sea, and being led by a pillar of fire at night, and a cloud by day for forty years really occurred.
i guess what I’m asking, is the Torah historical, or symbolic? We studied the Life of Moses in a Bible study a few years back, and you can’t help but be struck by the similarities between Moses and Jesus.
Dear Jorma,
WHEW!!!
Glad to hear you guys are all ok.
Blessings and love
Cyn
First time at the Jefferson Center in
Roanoke, VA. A little tight on the seating(glad we got isle seats) but an excellent sounding venue. Jack and Jorma were tight when needed but loose and free flowing as well on some the jams. Always a lil more fun when you have a friend on stage with ya. Can’t thank y’all enough. Was lucky to catch the Asheville solo as well earlier this month. Safe (crash free) travels!
Humbling to know how quickly life can take a turn. Chag kasher sameach. Happy birthday Vanessa. Above all safe travels
I am bringing the matzah. Yes
Jorma. Jack
Glad all is well on the road
Your fans do aporeciate all the road time you guys put in to play for your fans.
Looking forward to the duo tomorrow evening at rams head. Annap MD
Drive safe
Joe
Jorma,
I am so glad to hear that you and the boys are all Ok..they call them Guardian Angels for a reason..
Sorry Chris and I missed you all at the Ranch last weekend but because of the weather everything got canceled and we were in the run ins…I know we will get there some day. Happy 21st and much success to you all. Some times we do what we have to do to pay the bills, I’m sure you being safe was the best birthday present you could have given her.
Take care and Safe travels
Hogan
🙂
Glad you’re ok! I’m still looking for ticket to Annapolis. I may have one from Craigslist but we all know how that goes…..or doesn’t. Hope to see you there!!
Whoa! Glad you both are OK!!! Happy Passover!
OMG. Glad everyone, drunk driver included, survived that encounter. Rock on.
Our health is our wealth. Glad you, Jack and your team were protected by all that steel and some from the choir of angels. Hallelujah. Hopefully the drunk driver will now learn yet another lesson… Need to be obedient, and yield and submit to the Lord and give to Caesar what is Ceasar’s and drive and live sober.
Hopefully the guy is alright and it will be part of his story….crashing into a Hot Tuna bus. A bus w a Captain yielded to G-D.
a zisn Pesach to the Kaukonens and Tuna Nation
Excellent setlist, starting off with New Song! One of the best sets I’ve ever seen. Hope you had a beautiful birthday Vanessa. I can tell this show was for you.
So glad Jorma and Jack are alright. Never drink and drive.
Wow! I was 4th row center for the show, and had no idea of what had transpired earlier. I’m so glad you are both okay. This show was bittersweet for me. I’ve been seeing y’all since 1982. on 8/23/16 I was stricken with an incurable nerve disease. It’s changed me in so many ways, forcing me to address being in pain every waking moment. I’ve stopped buying tickets for out of town shows, as I can never predict if I’ll now be able to drive myself to the show, or even to use my crutches to get to the show, if someone else drives. I’m not open to using a wheelchair yet. So…last night’s show might be my last Tuna show for a while (please bring Tuna to Asheville soon…maybe even electric??), and it was an emotional night for me. I LOVED the set list and the playing – y’all are a true National Treasure.
Sorry this happened to you and the band Jorma !! So glad to hear your ok .. Happy Passover and holidays to all .God bless you Jorma and friends .Peace and love always
This took my breath away. So grateful that you, Jack and If Myron and any others were on the bus, are all ok, if shaken up. Another reminder of the importance of perspective…. a different outcome would have brought your family, friends and fans worldwide tremendous grief today. Thoughts are with Vanessa…
Shit fire! That’s one stout bus. Can’t believe that fender didn’t even get into the wheel. Good thing you were just pulling out and not up to speed. Glad all are safe and the show went on!
I love you guys sooooo much!
I’m so glad you’re all ok!
Amazon set list
Soooo glad you all are OK. I was born near Knoxville, in Maryville, and we lived in Alcoa for a while. Mom and dad are resting near there now, overlooking the Smokies (what mom used to call ‘her mountains’). I love Tennessee and I’m thankful to visit when we go back now & then.
Happy B-day, Vanessa; Jorma / Jack: Keep on Rockin! m
Just never know do you? Unreal….see you Saturday in Annapolis!!!