Jorma and Vanessa Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch was recently featured on the Travel Channel as one the nation's top ten unusual vacation destinations. The ranch, founded in 1993 and located in Pomeroy, Ohio, gives aspiring musicians a chance to learn techniques from famous instructors. Some instructors include: Former leader of the Saturday Night Live band from 1985 to 1995, G.E.Smith, Jorma and other members of his band, Hot Tuna, and many others.

I recently asked Fur Peace Ranch employee and instructor, Roman Wamke about the ranch and the television show.

AMN: Did the ranch asked to be on the show or did the Travel Channel find you on their own?

Roman: The associated press ran a story that was picked up by newspaper in several key markets, (New York, Chicago, LA), just a general overview of our camp and our mission. Somebody with some influence at the Discovery Channel read it, and called us right away to see if we wanted to be considered for the category, Top Ten unusual vacation destinations, to which we replied affirmatively, of course.

Two students watch guest instructor Robert Jones.

AMN: When did they tape the ranch?

Roman: Last summer, around July.

AMN: What vacation "package" did they cover? Or was it just a general description of the Ranch

Roman: They focused on the Weekend Guitar Workshops. The shows unofficial title was "Top Ten Places To Live Out Your Fantasy", in which we ranked ninth, ahead of Sea World, (where like Dr. Doolittle you get to 'swim with the animals'), but placed behind the World Wrestling Federations Fantasy Camp, (where you get to have your butt kicked by your heroes), a Spy Camp, (where you get to pretend your a secret agent for a week), and a bull riding camp, (learning riding by rodeo's best), to name a few.

They called us a rock and roll fantasy camp, where you get to jam with rock stars, although we make quite an effort to lean away from the term 'fantasy camp', as to us it implies that you don't learn much, you get your photo of you with your idol and you go home. We really teach a lot out here, and there is no social separation between student and teacher. I don't think we would have a 70% return rate if it was just a 'fantasy camp.'

AMN: Did one of the instructors give them a lesson?

Roman: They basically had three folks from a West Virginia affiliate come up and follow us around. I don't think they actually sat down and had instrument in hand, but I bet they picked up a few tips.

AMN: Who all was interviewed?

Roman: Jorma, Vanessa, Jack Casady, Roy Rogers, as well as two students who the film crew followed around mercilessly to get a students perspective. Jack Casady took up most of the tape as he is generally regarded as a "talker."

AMN: How has business been for the ranch? Booked solid? Not bad?

Roman: It's booked solid. We only have a few openings left for 2001. This Discovery piece should fill the bill. Besides the main focus of guitar clinics, we have really been successful with our Dinner & Concert Series, which this year will feature such shows as G.E. Smith, Jorma and Jack, John Hartford, Peter Rowan, Roy Book Binder, Chris Smither, and Paul Geremia, and a slew of others. We also have reached an agreement to air our first season of "Live From The Fur Peace Ranch" on NPR beginning in May, a "Mountain Stage" type concert radio show that will feature all of our year 2000 performances, which we recorded here. So things are really taking off.

AMN: Do you think this will boost visits to the ranch?

Roman: Yeah, although spaces are limited, I think it will even more serve to add to the mystique. I guess things always seem cooler when you can't get in..... We may need to add more services to fill demand, but that is a good thing.

AMN: How is the store going?

Roman: The Store is doing surprisingly well. We are shipping merchandise all across the globe, and we have yet to really begin promoting it in any type of aggressive way. We add new exciting products each month, which keeps folks coming back, and we're soon to add a new feature, a monthly auction, in which Jorma will post an item from the past for bid, pretty cool. The Christmas season was particularly busy for the online store.