Verlon Thompson and Jorma Kaukonen - The Guitar and The Story Behind It- Live at Fur Peace Ranch

Verlon Thompson was joined by the captain of the camp, Jorma Kaukonen, during the 2016 Concert Series for this performance. Verlon tells the story of the song, The Guitar. This tune truly captures the magic that can happen at Fur Peace Ranch!
www.furpeaceran...

[@doncheek9055]

I can tell you, it WAS Verlon's first time at Fur Peace. I'm the guy from AZ he mentions, and it happened pretty much like he told it, 'cept I had to email the lyrics to him. Two years after the workshop, I got to thinkin' I should be doing that song, so that's when I emailed him. I just can't tell you how great it was to sit around for 3 days with Guy and Verlon, listen to them play some of their songs, pick a little with 'em, and perform The Guitar on Saturday night with 'em. Fur Peace Ranch rocks! Don Cheek, Prescott, AZ

[@chuckHart70]

Great story Don. The song is great. The myth of "the guitar" haunts us all. Then we realize, it's all us.

[@Woolbury2]

Too cool. Ive heard this song, but never the story. Great job, all of you!

[@paulshiver4592]

Hey there, from Cochise County.

[@mlpessar]

Hey Don, I was there too. Yes, an amazing three days indeed. As I remember it Verlon is overly generous in saying that we were all shooting out lines and Guy and Verlon were collating them into a song. To my recollection 90% of the song was Guys. I remember him going into two separate periods of full immersion in his process during which most of the verses were written. At the beginning there was more of an exchange. We did perform the song on Sunday. Nice memories. Thanks for reminding Verlon of the song.

[@doncheek9055]

@@mlpessar Yeah, it was mostly Guy's lyrics, and Verlon did the music. I was amazed that Guy could focus so well on it, with us all gabbin' and pickin'. They'd both pretty much forgotten about the song when I emailed Verlon to remind me how to play it. He asked me to send him the lyrics, and the next thing you know, it's on the album, Some Days the Song Writes You. A guitar that damn near plays itself--nice fit.

[@thevidi0t]

A haunting song. I love it beyond belief.

[@rockrollresale2668]

Something magical. Everyone gets goosebumps from this song. Simply amazing. Thanks.

[@JellyrollHorton]

That’s true.

[@RedDog56]

I have played guitar since I was 9 years old. Now 66, and I can tell you: I met Verlon back in 2019 I think. It was at Courvilles in Texas. He is not only an amazing guitar player, but the best song writer and best, real human I have ever met.

[@johnlynch6248]

What a good man Verlon is. Much respect. Thanks.

[@peterszewzek4167]

Awesome! This Jersey kid has been digging this Texas troubadour stuff for a few months now. I never tire of it.Wish Guy Clark was still with us. Thank you Fur Peace Ranch.

[@rlb3255]

I met Verlon just this past weekend. He is an amazing musician/songwriter/singer and having spent a short bit of time with him I can tell you he is a genuinely nice person.

[@stubaker2574]

Great story ! Verlon can really tell 'em. Guy couldn't have had a better partner and i believe vice versa

[@skipcollins5882]

Hot Tuna Live catapulted me from a Peter Paul & Mary folkie into a serious fingerstyle guitarist. I owe a huge debt to Jorma. It's really telling watching his technique, how much of his DNA stays with me today. Thanks, buddy!

[@volvo9051]

So yer a part finn

[@ralphhyland8661]

Verlon is just the coolest guy you never knew of.....

[@DFWDan]

How many amazing songs came about through the guidance of Guy Clark? Had the pleasure of being in attendance for one of his paid teaching gigs near Kerrville. Words fail to express his brilliance. I miss Guy most every day

[@lastnamefirst4035]

I miss him too. Only knew him thru his songs but what a great way to know him

[@peterlundin7953]

Brings tears of joy to my eyes!

[@ronnybridges4207]

this song gives me chills each listen. hauntingly good!

[@langstongrandma]

Still get chills every time I hear this song - thanks for posting this! And thank you, Verlon!

[@josephcostanzo4534]

Verlon i saw you and Guy at H.S.Bluegrass out in San fran.in the park..-and you and Guy drove by me and my friend in a cart...U told guy there u are 30 yrs ago,and he and I were transfixed starring at each other...speaking of goosebumps....festival was amazing,u guys were unforgettable...and my buddy had some good moments,I lost him about a week later...keep playing,Keep loving...stay well God Bless Peace.. On an Upbeat Note...Joke for ya......Two Irishman walk out of a bar ......... Punchline...it could happen...

[@TheSecondNature]

God knows what I'd give to be part of this amazing ranch, even if just for a little while. But being a 21 years old guy from Italy it's so far away and so hard to achieve. But I hope I'll make it someday!! This video might be one of the best on this channel!! Long live Jorma!!!

[@josephcostanzo4534]

Hey Leonardo..fellow musician my name is Joseph Costanzo...I'm American but I'm of Calabraise Italian descent....I may go over.to.italy some time soon,and maybe even live there full time.. Is American music big in Italy...I know Dickey Betts one of my favs and Jackson Browne ..was maybe thinking I'd get some guys and play Allman's)dead,singer Songwriter

[@STEViEmando]

Every time I hear this song it speaks to me of why it is I play. There are many songs that move me, give me goosebumps and that I shed a tear or two over but this is 'The One'.

[@sammyscotch9945]

Great to hear the story about this song. Miss Guy

[@eljeffe5938]

MAN! I could listen to him pick all day ❤️

[@josephadams5993]

Fantastic.

[@kevinmckenna2877]

This is just great, almost like being at FPR , thank you Jorma and Verlon

[@josephb3441]

I found this song browsing through a music app for a playlist I called “Americana”. It more than fit what I thought should be on there. I still get chills listening to it. Now I know the back story. There are a few more Guy Clark tunes on there. P.S. I saw Hot Tuna playing live while going through Army basic training at Ft. Ord CA. I was drafted (#61) Nam was towards the end. The army was trying to get more enlisted men and were trying to make training easier to stomach. So they marched us to a small football field with bleachers. We had on our green fatigues and plastic helmet liners and marched us single file into the bleachers. Hot Tuna was setting up at the end of the field and started playing. I was long hair hippie before getting in so I was enjoying one of the best bands back then. It was amazing someone decided to bring them to play. It was weird being in uniform all guys. Some officer made a career ending mistake by passing out beer to us. Hot Tuna was blowing us away and reminding us what freedom used to be. We were given strict orders not to leave our seats but how could you sit there with good rock n roll. We went on the field where we could enjoy the “concert”. Great band great tunes. They ordered us drunks back into formation and they ignored. Then MP’s in jeeps carrying shotguns roared up and threatened us. They got us up in some semblance of marching formations and marched us back to our barracks. We were happy with our buzz from the music and the beer. The yelling from the drill Sargents and the armed MP’s was a bit of a buzzkill though. I don’t think they had anymore concerts. But thank you Jorma and the rest of your band for making it a memorable day. I never went to Nam though.

[@leswagstaff4908]

Love this, Everything about it, Superb...

[@DavidMFChapman]

Great story, fine song, and amazing guitar work!

[@albertfernandez9934]

There should be a film based on that story...

[@dcedigitalstudio9267]

I've wanted to do that since I first heard this song. Imagine that this guitar once belong to a "Robert Johnson" style character who met the devil at a crossroads to sell his soul to play the guitar. But, what happened to that guitar after that character died. Well, the pawn shop owner knew the story and never once dared to play that cursed guitar. Many had come thru the door, and many times they were left un-chosen. But now... now it has a new owner. A new soul to, for lack of a better term, play. Maybe some day I'll get the crew together and we will do this. Would love to have Verlon's help in the musical soundtrack.

[@ToroSAS]

@@dcedigitalstudio9267 I really need to see this movie!

[@dcedigitalstudio9267]

@@ToroSAS if I can find a building that could resemble a pawn shop, and a few actors, I will get this made. When done, I'll share the link. Thanks for reminding me about this idea. I had forgotten I had written this out.

[@bobbelles8440]

Man I love this version!

[@jerrysullivan113]

Another memorable evening at FPR!!

[@bkmash41]

Love this song! I got goosebumps when Guy Clark "DONE IT" Thanks for reminding me!

[@patrickmorris8934]

That weird base-slide noise he does at 5.01?????? Byooooffff. Love it.

[@armadillotoe]

I have watched several videos of this song, and each one is better than the last!!!!

[@ALABAMAHEADHUNTER]

......................... MMMMM ! Story , Tune and Song does the Heart and Soul Merry ! Enjoyed this video about as much as anything I've watched or heard in a very long time . THANK YOU , THANK YOU !

[@aledakivett9255]

Somehow a little bit of Embryonic Journey slid in. Thanks for the memories.

[@frankguernier2280]

Verlpn you are a great player but Guys voice sends the chills down my spine.

[@mikemccoy3430]

1:15 Verlin speaks in Guy's voice.

[@thomastommy1192]

What an awesome song. I must say. It gave me cold chills. Great job guys.

[@QuerkyMan]

I hate rewriting a post that I had completed, that disappeared into the ethersphere. This would have been an over the top life experience. The song defies the common logic of group think. However, with Guy’s respect for his inner Muse, they produced a song that is beautiful, mystical, and coherent beyond measure.

[@leighannstarcevich392]

I got chills too! Every time.

[@WearyCowboy]

Excellent playing!

[@mrsendmomoney]

Gives me chills everytime

[@TheHarleyrulz]

Just awesome!! I sure miss Guy.

[@sdushdiu]

..it's nice when you discover something that exceeds one's expectations..... ;-)

[@harrysalmgren2930]

Just to be able to lay on your back and listen, so effortlessly and pleasant - it is so relaxing and great….

[@Frank.nKansas]

Great Story

[@keithbird8910]

Fantastic! Bravo

[@leescazighini4025]

Oh man -that is sooo good!

[@keithskelton2287]

Brilliant story ✌🏽

[@papaking6830]

I love it so greatnesses

[@suzannemcmakin6710]

GREAT PLACE! Saw Chris Smithers there!

[@guitarvocs]

I knew the story of how it came to be written, but never the details of the writing credit. That is very cool. Imagine signing up for a workshop and one day having your name listed as a co-writer of such an amazing tune. I would have done the same -- although I might have held out for a dollar bill, autographed of course, besides the credit.

[@doncheek9055]

They sent each of us a signed copy of the CD, and gave us a shout-out on the cover. It was an honor to be there with Guy writing a song; not something I'll ever forget.

[@Charlie-sr6dv]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@rodneypratt4324]

That's a damn good song

[@SureTexan]

Awesome

[@samzilman9475]

SUPER!

[@dono1606]

Wow!

[@googleboy7]

Hi Verlon, I'm seventy five years old. I've been playing my dad's old 1947 Gibson for over sixty years. I'd love to play this song for my kids, before the Lord calls me home. Would you please teach me to play your lead parts? I would be very grateful. Thanks and God bless! gw

[@W2n1dowsx]

Oh my god!

[@simonerusso6920]

Loverespect ciccio 71 wat a song

[@hippydippy]

Hot Damn!!!

[@savonjaakari412]

Hieno esitys.

[@davidmccaffery7977]

Fabou. Legends

[@tonymoon2022]

Wow

[@jerrysullivan113]

:-) GREAT STUFF.. ONLY AT FPR!

[@lastnamefirst4035]

The world seemed changed when Guy died

[@normanmcneal3605]

How many songs written from laymen, that will never be heard by record producers? A bunch

[@puresafe2011]

Why spoil a good story with facts !! lol ..jorma !!

[@Humuculero]

LOL. Nope. Jorma is showing his age.

[@MikeGaglio]

Wow!