Photo by Jorma Kaukonen
Yeah, so I got to open a show for my old comrade in arms Tommy Emmanuel up in Columbus at the Southern Theater. I was thrilled that I got to do this with Tommy. Except for Natalie’s in Grandview I rarely get to play up here. Some years ago Vanessa got to se Pete Seeger, Holly Near and Harry Belafonte at the Southern… and illustrious venue.
Photo by Jorma Kaukonen
It’s 150% with Tommy and time an instrument is in his hand… and this was merely a precursor of his show to come. For me, here is my set:
Jorma Kaukonen 17, 2023
Opening For Tommy Emmanuel
The Southern Theater
Columbus, Ohio
July 13, 2023
- Been So Long
- Hesitation Blues
- Barbeque King
- Where Have My Good Friends Gone?
- Sleep Song
- Trial By Fire
- Good Shepherd
- Great Divide Revisited
- Whining Boy Blues
- Ice Age
I was going to play Genesis but for some reason my fingers required Whining Boy Blues.
Meanwhile, ‘tween sets:
Photo by Vanessa Kaukonen
Then Tommy invited me up mid set to play a couple of songs. I got two have small part in his Accomplice One & Two.. check them out. Anyway, on this night we did a version of Roy Book Binder’s Another Man Done A Full Go Round and then we weighed in together on a stellar (if I do say so myself) version of Trouble In Mind.
Tommy is always an inviting host.
Selfie by Vanessa
Suffice it to say it was more than a grand evening…
Photo by Jorma Kaukonen
So that’s about it for now. A Thursday night well spent indeed.
I’ll be honest here…I know Tommy is an accomplished guitarist and Jorma says he’s a terrific guy. Fair enough. I still can’t stand him. He drives me nuts. If he would just play that would be fine, but he “performs”, overplaying, overemoting and mugging at every opportunity. Not the style I prefer. And the way he slaps and pounds his guitars like a frustrated drummer is annoying. No wonder he goes through so many instruments! Just my two cents worth.
Bittersweet show at the great south bay music fest. No more electric hot tuna on long island.say it aint so jorma! The performance was stellar you guys still got it going on!
That must have been an amazing show – a guitar picker’s delight!
Jack sails while Jorma Wails,
May your tour be Blessed with Love and Light.
See yas in New Haven, I’m gonna be in a seriously Holy Place while you’re in NY
Don’t forget to dance
HOT FUCKIN TUNA!!!
Peace✌🏻️❤️Love All Ways🔥🚲🌹🙏🏻🖖🏼
See you guys for the last time as Electric Hot Tuna on Thursday at The Great South Bay Music Festival on Long Island. Weather looks perfect, partly cloudy and warm. You’re right near the ocean, so you’ll get cool ocean breezes in the evening. It’ll be exactly 50 years since I first saw you guys at Hofstra U. on Long Island in 1973. Thanks for all the memories and being so kind all those years. You changed my life for the better. All your music inspired me to new heights. During my college years I was prez of the Concert Committee and got you guys 2x to New Paltz in ’75 and ’76. what a hoot that was. Thank you Jorma and Jack what a Long Strange Trip It’s Been.
@John O – Enjoyed reading your comment. Interesting connections (time, place, and otherwise). I went to Hofstra and remember that concert at the Playhouse. Also, my friend Dan at New Palz in a similar timeframe as you – he and I saw many HT concerts back then. Like you, although I don’t play, I have a lifetime of inspiration from J&J’s fabulous music.
I mean if you’re not heading to L.I.
Hi Vanessa,
wow…Pete Seeger, Holly and Mr. Belafonte…wow
Hi Jorma,
We saw Tommy E, and yes 150% @ ‘Landmark on Main St.’ Port Washington, where you’ve also played.
Speaking of Long Island, looking forward to the big Electric show with Jack and Justin @ Great South Bay, on Thurs night, we’ll be cheering you on. ‘We See The Light’
Safe travels…George
I guess we’re all fans of guitar music, so for those in Hudson Valley and/or N Jersey area – a few of the best are around this week. Richard Thompson is at City Winery H.V. off 84 in Montgomery Thursday, and Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar are off 80 in Blairstown Friday.
Hey Jorma,
Tommy Emmanuel performed during a 2020 Guitars 4 Vets live stream, and he commented on his recent diagnosis of Depression and the side-effects of medication his doctor had prescribed for him.
His self-disclosure will most certainly help others who, because of stigma or embarrassment, might not otherwise seek professional help. The cost of an untreated mental health issue is often the ultimate price.
Bravo Mr. Emmanuel! Stay well.
Looking forward to Thursday night as Tuna kicks off the final Electric Concert tour. My son’s employer is one of the sponsors so we got some VIP tics.
The ride up from South Jersey to LI will be worth it. Also I get to spend some time with the Grand Kids before & after. Rock Me Baby
Boy, wish I could’ve been there! Thanks to your association with Tommy, I discovered his music and have seen him twice the couple years. Amazing musician!
First photo shows great looking renovation on that theater in Columbus, but It’s come to this, then; not a single listener showed up for the show. We’ve outlived them all, Jorma.
I’m so happy youz gize get to play together. A better match I could not conjure.
I’m eagerly awaiting the electric tour. I’m set up for the 3 Fl shows, and my wife Amy and I splurged for tickets and a trip to NY for the Beacon show. Too much is never enough. You know what I mean. 😇
That mind-blowing “tween sets” photo makes me wish I’d been a fly on the wall.
Heck, I would have settled for being a cockroach on the floor.