On January 18 2025, Hopmonk Novato and KC Turner hosted a special event. The evening’s event was Big Brother and the Holding Company with special guest, The Jenny Kerr band. This evening was chocked full of musical excitement all in tribute to Janis Joplin.
The Jenny Kerr Band set an energetic pace for the night. They kicked off the evening with “Itch” and continued to impress the audience throughout their set. The next song was “The Girl Who Swallowed the Moon,” a fantastic song that resonated well with the crowd. They then transitioned into a lively banjo tune, “I Ain’t Gonna Work No More.” Although they didn’t have a drummer at the time, the audience joined in, clapping along to the beat while Jenny skillfully played the banjo and harmonica, supported by the other two members on acoustic guitar and fiddle. After that, Dave Getz joined them on drums. As the original drummer for Big Brother, his exceptional playing was evident as they delved into “Head of Fire,” captivating everyone with their impressive songwriting and melodies.
Darby Gould then came out to sing backup on “The Good Life,” a song that struck a chord with the audience due to its relatable lyrics. To close their set, Jenny once again showcased her banjo skills with “Nickel and Dime,” leaving the crowd energized and rocking as they jammed through the song.
The Jenny Kerr Band:
Jenny Kerr – vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica
Phillip Milner – guitar
Anton Patzner– violin
Setlist:
1). Itch
2). The Girl Who Swallowed the Moon
3). I Ain’t Gonna Work No More
4). Head of Fire
5). The Good Life
6). Nickel and Dime
Big Brother and the Holding Company took the stage, and it felt like the entire crowd was transported back in time. They kicked off the night with “Turtle Blues,” a song that Janis wrote in the late ’60s. Next, they performed “Down on Me,” a traditional cover that they made famous with Janis’s powerful vocals and the driving sound of the band. Following that was “I Need a Man to Love” from the Cheap Thrills LP. This often-overlooked track shone as Darby Gould belted out the lyrics, while guitarist Tom Finch wowed the crowd with his stunning performance. It was truly remarkable.
Then came “Call on Me,” which was a masterpiece in its delivery. From start to finish, that song radiated dignity and style, and it was well-deserved. After that, they played “Keep On,” where Tom showcased his guitar skills with impressive shredding. The next song was a moving moment because Janis would perform a song that a member of Big Brother had written for her to record. The band would lay down the instrumental track, and she was supposed to record the vocals the following day. Tragically, she passed away that night, and never had the chance to record it. The song was called “Buried Alive with the Blues,” and it felt like a fitting tribute.
The following two songs were a mashup of “All Is Loneliness” by Moondog and “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles—two songs that complement each other beautifully. After that the band played “Combination of Two,” which was the opener for the Monterey Pop movie, and they delivered it as if it were a brand-new tune. It was a real pleasure to hear it live! Another mashup followed, this time combining “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane with “White Bird” by It’s a Beautiful Day. The blending of these songs made for an amazing experience.
“Women Is Losers,” was another powerhouse song from Janis that Darby delivered perfectly. Then came “Hold Me Birdie,” a newer song—about 20 years old—that the crowd received enthusiastically, which was evident from their applause.
The Kris Kristofferson’s classic “Me and Bobby McGee,” had everyone rocking in their seats, with die-hard fans even dancing in the aisles. The band clearly enjoyed performing it. After “Hold Me,” they played “Piece of My Heart,” which they executed flawlessly. Finally, they performed “Ball and Chain,” a song written by Big Mama Mae Thornton. Phil shared the story of how they got the song from her: they met up, introduced themselves, and she jotted down the lyrics, telling them not to mess it up. Of course, they did, but at least their version earned her a Cadillac!
Big Brother and the Holding Company Band:
Peter Albin – bass
Dave Getz – drums, piano
Tom Finch – guitar
Darby Gould – lead vocals
David Aguilar – guitar
Nancy Wright – Saxophone
1). Turtle Blues
2). Down on Me ([traditional] cover)
3). I Need a Man to Love
4). Call on Me
5). Keep On
6). Buried Alive in the Blues (The Nick Gravenites John Cipollina Band cover)
7). All Is Loneliness (Moondog cover)
8). Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles cover)
9). Combination of the Two
10). White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane cover)
11). White Bird (It’s a Beautiful Day cover)
12). Women Is Losers
13). Hold Me Birdie
14). Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson cover)
15). Hold Me
16). Piece of My Heart (Erma Franklin cover)
17). Ball and Chain (Big Mama Thornton cover)
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Follow Big Brother and the Holding Company Online:

Photographer of about 10 years, I have been shooting concerts for about 8 of those years. I started to get serious about concert photography about 6 or 7 years ago and now try to shoot as many as I can. I shoot mostly rock but, have done some country and big band stuff. I love music and since I am nowhere close to being a musician, this is a way I can be a small part of what, in the words of Henry Rollins, “gets me through the highs, the lows and everything in between”.