Michael J. Media > Services

For Immediate Release

May 7, 2009

POCO REUNION AT STAGECOACH HAS INDUSTRY BUZZING

Young, Furay, Messina, Schmitt, Cotton and Grantham Dazzle in CA

“What an extraordinary collection of Southern California music history backstage following Poco’s reunion performance tonight.”—Randy Lewis, LA Times

Nashville, TN—To say that country rock pioneers Poco are a footnote to a host of other musical acts would be like saying The Beatles are a footnote to Wings. After a stunning reunion two weekends ago at STAGECOACH, there are rumblings in the music industry that if all were right with the world, Poco would have its rightful place in the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.

The original members of Poco were all on hand to celebrate a reunion, as well as the return of drummer George Grantham after a stroke four years ago was a highlight. You want royalty? The lineup featured founding or long-time members Rusty Young, Paul Cotton, Grantham, Timothy B. Schmitt (Eagles), Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield) and Jim Messina (Loggins & Messina) to go along with current Poco members Jack Sundrud and George Lawrence. Whew.

“Having every significant member of Poco reunite for the Stagecoach Festival was an event that was very special to the fans and to all of us,” said Young. “It was a thrill to stand onstage again with Richie Furay, Jim Messina, Timothy B. Schmit and George Grantham after forty years of Poco music. I hope that we can do it again someday.”

Industry veteran Bob Lefsetz had this to say in his blog, after a reader sent him an e-mail wondering aloud why Madonna is being considered for the Rock Hall but not Poco: “This performance was not made for fame, not even that much cash. But in it beats the heart of rock and roll. An aged band reunites for the DVD, they bury old hurts for the revenue. But watching this performance, you think Poco just did it for the joy.”

That pretty much says it all.

About Poco

Pioneers of the country-rock sound that soared out of California in the late sixties and early seventies, Poco was the inspiration for bands like The Eagles, Firefall, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Pure Prairie League, Little River Band and The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, as well as the new breed of country-rock acts. After Poco’s debut album in 1969, Pickin’ Up The Pieces, received a perfect rating from Rolling Stone Magazine, the band went through several personnel changes including the departure of Messina and Furay, as well as when bassist Randy Meisner left to join The Eagles. Poco went on to chart several times with hits like “Crazy Love” and “Heart of the Night” (both from the critically acclaimed Legend album), as well as “Rose of Cimarron,” “Good Feeling To Know” and “You’d Better Think Twice.” In 1989, the band brought back Messina, Furay and Meisner to record Legacy, which spawned a few more of the band’s Top 40 hits, “Call It Love” and “Nothing To Hide.”

The band’s most recent discs – 2002’s Running Horse, 2005’s Bareback At Big Sky and the 2004 live CD/DVD Keeping The Legend Alive – are among the best of their career. Poco’s plans for the future include more recording and touring, as well as Rusty’s long-awaited book about life in the music business. Jack and Rusty have also discovered a second career as award-winning composers for a line of children’s videos. In addition, readers of Guitar Player voted Rusty Young into their ‘Gallery of Greats’ beside musicians like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. They received a Grammy nomination for ‘Instrumental of the Year’ and fans can find Poco memorabilia on display at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. With forty years, twenty-five albums and thousands of fans behind them, Poco was, is and forever will be the defining voice of country/rock.

For more information about Poco, please visit www.poconut.com or www.rickalter.com

YouTube Link of Keep on Tryin’

YouTube Link of Pickin’ Up the Pieces: