POCO
SOPAC • SAT 10.13.18 • 8 PM
POCO
For more than 50 years, the distinctive harmonies and stellar musicianship of POCO helped define the sound of Country-Rock. Still led by band co-founder and multi-instrumentalist Rusty Young, who wrote and sang their biggest hits, they are a dedicated unit of four formidable songwriters, vocalists, arrangers and players. They are hitting stages coast-to-coast armed with the kind of classic songs and instrumental chops that put performers half their age to shame.
In other words, POCO today is a band reborn.
Opening Artist: Toby Walker
Rising from the ashes of Buffalo Springfield, POCO was founded in 1967 by Rusty Young, Richie Furay, George Grantham and Jim Messina. Over the next five decades, alongside band mates that would also include Paul Cotton, Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit, Rusty became not only the musical core of the band, but also the writer and vocalist behind hits including “Rose Of Cimarron” and the #1 smash “Crazy Love.” “I made a promise to myself that POCO would only keep going if we remained a band of real musicians who were having fun,” Rusty says.
POCO today is Rusty Young (steel and acoustic guitars, dobro, mandolin, banjo, vocals), Jack Sundrud (bass, vocals), Michael Webb (keyboards, mandolin, accordion, guitars, vocals) and Rick Lonow (drums, vocals). “We’re so in tune with each other musically and personally,” says Rusty Young.
For the band’s legion of longtime fans – known as ‘Poconuts’ – as well as new converts, it’s POCO’s live performances where their newfound attitude and energy truly goes next level. “We challenge each other every time we’re onstage,” says Rusty, “which means that no two shows are ever alike. Between Michael Webb and me, we play 10 different instruments and are able to open up some musically adventurous journeys.” Alongside hits like “Crazy Love,” “A Good Feelin’ To Know,” “Rose Of Cimarron,” “Call It Love,” “Heart Of The Night” and “Keep On Tryin,” songs from the acclaimed 2013 album All Fired Up are now concert favorites.
For POCO, this is more than just a time of rebirth. On record and onstage, it’s the sound of a legendary band once again hitting its stride.