March 2011
Camp is just around the Corner
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After almost 14 years of living the Fur Peace dream…I am more inspired than ever to make The Ranch a dream come true as we get ready to kick off another year. We have been so fortunate over the years to play host to such great students and instructors, that some times at the end of another year…the thought crosses our minds that it might not get better than the year we just hosted. Thank God our doubts are never reality. Last year was a great year even with economic uncertainty. Those that could come experienced a year of dynamite workshops and stellar performances.
 It was an incredibly busy year for Jorma….I don’t think I have ever seen him work harder. Toward the end of The Ranch season, when most folks think we wind down…he was just gearing up to go into the studio with Hot Tuna to record the first Tuna record in 20 years. The record is complete and it is the best material the band has ever done. Jorma has written some of his best songs and he is in full bloom as an artist. I have known him for 23 years and he is even blowing my mind! After he and the band finished the record in about 2 weeks, he celebrated a milestone birthday then headed over to Tel Aviv with the band for the first time and played a historic sold out show. We came home from Israel, and headed to Maui to teach the first of (hopefully) many Fur Peace “On the Road” workshops…came back to Ohio and he hit the road again with the band and special guests, Jim Lauderdale and Charlie Musselwhite. They are just wrapping up 6 ½ weeks of mind-blowing music and I can tell you that though he is tired…..he is so excited about our first workshop of 2011. Our opening session will be no less monumental with his friends Tim Reynolds and Pete Huttlinger joining him.
I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t miss him or miss all of our Fur Peace friends at the end of a season. But life is full of changes, and those bonds that we form, whether it be with our partners or our friends…. they can be long & significant and so it becomes necessary for me to express those feelings to retain those bonds… because space is not always easy. I am blessed beyond the words I am expressing here but I will just say, that’s how we roll in these parts….now let’s rock the house!
Steady As She Goes Update
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Red House Records has moved up the release date! Steady As She Goes will now be available everywhere on Tuesday April 5, 2011.
Electric Hot Tuna will commemorate the release of Steady As She Goes with four shows along the east coast in late April, 2011. Not only will the new material be featured quite prominently throughout the night, but Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams will be on-hand to help recreate the new material to its fullest.
Come join in the celebration of Hot Tuna's first studio recording in 20 years!
A Special Hot Tuna Workshop in NYC!
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Get A Double Dose of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady with a Special Acoustic Duo Workshop! (Level 3)
A special Fur Peace Ranch class will be held at the Greenwich House in NYC
for serious guitar and bass students. Jorma and Jack will combine their
teaching efforts and give this one time only guitar/bass class. Guitar and Bass classes will be held separately at times, other times the classes will join up for a unique duo workshop that brings together the music the classes have worked on.
If you want to learn the secrets of this dynamic duo's 50+ career....this is your chance. If you live in NY you won't have to go far.....
Open to Guitar and Bass players. An equal number of each will be accepted. Limited to 8 students per class Don't miss this opportunity!
Thursday April 21, 2011 - Saturday April 23, 2011.
Tuition: $1275 includes workshops, lunches and snacks. One (1) ticket to a performance by the Original Hot Tuna (just Jorma & Jack) at the Hiro Ballroom on Apr 23, 2011. (Tuition does not include lodging.) Bass students will need to provide their own amps.
Sign Up Today!
Didn't Make it to the Beacon Shows for Jorma's Birthday Bash?
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You changed our minds! Due to numerous requests we will be releasing the audio from Jorma's 70th Birthday Bash at the Beacon Theatre. Look for it on iTunes in the near future!
Fur Peace Ranch On-The-Road - Hawaii 2012!
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 The day begins with luscious tropical fruit and a view of the ocean so close it could be touched.. oh wait! it CAN be touched! With beach and poolside astride a magnificent facility, the Kaukonens welcome you for a focused series of workshops. The Royal Lahaina provides an atmosphere that regales the soul while FPR provides music instruction and camaraderie that is priceless.
During the first week Jorma and Marjorie Thompson will dig deep into the Jorma bag, deconstructing songs Jorma has not presented in his level 2 workshops ever before. JK and Marjorie provide solid learning, a wealth of materials and individualized instruction, and a sojourn that is hard to beat.
For the second week Jorma will lead his first ever songwriting workshop! Jorma will illustrate in a workshop setting how he charts the path of a song from his heart to his hands and voice.
Fur Peace Ranch Distinguished Professor Chris Smither will teach the second week in Maui a level 3 Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop.
Join us in Maui... It's well worth the trip. Bring the loved one, too (we mean, not JUST the guitar!).
- Week One: January 16-20, 2012 Jorma Kaukonen w/ Marjorie Thompson Level 2
- Week Two: January 23-27, 2012 Jorma Kaukonen's Songwriting All Levels
- Week Two: January 23-27, 2012 Chris Smither Level 3
More information coming soon.
Bill Kirchen:...
 Bill Kirchen has been called many things......"The Titan of the Telecaster", "King of Dieselbilly" and "Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods"......but here at the Fur Peace we also know Bill as a great teacher with a great background of music history and a witty sense of humor. Bill has a 40-plus year career in the music business. He was the lead guitarist and singer in the country-rock band, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, from 1967 till 1975. It was this band that helped to turn on a generation to the sounds of Country and Rockabilly and it was Bill's trademark guitar twang on "Hot Rod Lincoln" that propelled that song into the Top Ten in 1972.
Bill Kirchen is a Grammy Nominated American Roots music performer and aside from his guitar prowess and fine singing he is also a fine songwriter too. He has released 8 critically acclaimed solo albums since staking out on his own. He plays a Fender Telecaster almost exclusively and is still playing the same one that started his career way back then. Bill is known for his "Big Twang" guitar sound and for his diverse style. His playing style encompasses many styles of music....truck driving, Americana, Country, Rockabilly and Boogie-Woogie are some that he is known for.....but he is comfortable and fluent in about any kind of style of music that calls for a dynamic guitar player. He plays Country music that draws upon it's origins in Blues and Bluegrass and in the Western Swing of Texas and the California honky tonks.
Bill's latest CD is a collection of duets with an all-star cast of fellow musicians. "Word to the Wise" was released in 2010 and it features Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Dan Hicks, Maria Muldaur and others. The CD allows Bill to display his talents as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. Bill will be teaching his electric guitar class here at the Ranch this year on the May 13th - 16th weekend. A word to the wise......if you're looking to expand your guitar playing styles and improve on your playing technique, while having "too much fun" .....Bill's class is all of this and MORE!!!!
Sign Up Today!
Suzy Bogguss:...
 Suzy Bogguss, one of the most acclaimed female country singers of the late 80's and 90's, will be stopping by the Fur Peace Ranch on May 21st for a CONCERT ONLY date.
Suzy was born in Illinois and grew up in a musical family and she sang in the church choir at the age of 5. She attended Illinois State University and while there she sang in the local coffee houses to earn extra cash. After graduating from college Suzy took to the road, touring across the country in a camper van for five years and honing her skills as a singer and guitarist. Suzy ended up in Nashville and was performing at Dolly Parton's Dollywood when she was discovered and signed by Capitol Records.
Suzy released her first record, Somewhere Between, in 1989 and since then has gone on to release 13 albums of which 3 were certified gold and one platinum. After the release of her first record she was honored by the Academy of Music as the Top New Female Vocalist of the year. She has gone on to receive many awards, Grammy nominations and has also charted 6 singles in the Top Ten Billboard charts. She is a country music singer / songwriter with a real balance of traditional country leanings and contemporary mainstream sensibilities. Suzy is known for her beautiful voice - a crystal clear mezzo soprano voice. She is able to meld several genres of music and although known as a country singer she has proven herself comfortable also singing western-swing, pop, folk and jazz.
Suzy was ahead of her game and the direction that country music would take....coming along before other female country artists such as Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Martina McBride. Her third record was the platinum-selling, Aces, which came out in 1991. That record contained 4 top ten singles, "Someday Soon", "Outbound Plane", "Aces" and "Letting Go" which propelled Suzy into the spotlight of country music. She followed this release with two Gold Records.....Voices in the Wind and Something Up My Sleeve. In 1994 she released Simpatico which was an album of duets with guitar legend, Chet Atkins.
After taking some time off from touring and the music business to start a family, Suzy has returned to a busy schedule of touring and recording. Her most recent release was "Sweet Danger" in 2007. Her most recent project is expected to be released in late May or early June and it is a folk record, aptly titled...."The American Folk Songbook." By the time she plays the Fur Peace Station on May 21st she should have her new CD with her for sale.
Although this is a "concert only" date we are hoping that Suzy will have such a great experience at the Ranch that we might be able to get her to return to do a singer / songwriter workshop in 2012. Jorma and Vanessa are big fans of Suzy and Jorma will be off that weekend and is looking forward to the concert. If you're looking to get away for a weekend........looking to get back to the fabulous Fur Peace.....and wanting to hear some fine music......maybe you too should plan on attending this great show. This show has just been announced and tickets have just gone on sale.........so make plans for this great night of music......not to be missed!
Buy Tickets Now!
We will no longer offer a free workshop after 15 visits. We will offer new incentives beginning August 2011 for the 2012 season. If you are entitled to a free workshop after your 15th, it must be redeemed in 2011.
Read more about what's happening at FPR and On-The-Road
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Thanks to all of you who subscrbed to the FPR channel. We appreciate all your support.
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