Blue SKy RIders
Generally, country music sets as well with me as white lightning (moonshine). It is harsh, tastes bad, and makes my head hurt. However, there are songs that are recorded by ‘country’ musicians that transcend the genre. Blue Sky Riders is a group that truly fits this transcendent country style. If it needed to be categorized the style would have to be called something like ‘distilled American spirit.’
The featured artists in the band are Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman, and Gary Burr. While I’m sure that the Kenny Loggins name is familiar to you (Danny’s Song, House at Pooh Corner, Your Mama Don’t Dance, Angry Eyes) Georgia and Gary are accomplished song writers in their own right and have formidable talent. You have heard Georgia and Gary’s work but you probably don’t recognize the source. Gary has 33 top forty hits, 24 top tens, 14 number ones as a writer. Georgia had songs recorded by Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Terri Clark, Joe Nichols, Keith Urban and Tracy Lawrence, among many others.
Like much of the audience at the Ramshead to watch the performance, I was principally drawn to the show because Kenny Loggins was playing. The surprise to me here was that Kenny was just a member of the band. The show was the Blue Sky Riders, and it was an incredible show. This band was good enough that Kenny Loggins actually fit in doing background vocals (and what wonderful background vocals they were).
My favorite part of the show was the acoustic set that the featured artists performed in the middle of the show. Kenny, Georgia, and Gary took turns playing songs with the other two doing backing vocals and accompanying guitar. This was just incredibly intimate, enlightening, and entertaining. The sounds were as comfortable as a well worn kid glove. These performers just work with each other.
You might be surprised to hear that the biggest applause of the evening (excepting House at Poo Corner) was for Gary Burr. Blue Sky Riders is not just new talent trying to ride on the coat tails of a proven performing talent like Kenny Loggins. On the stage and performing it is a trio of great talent that completely compliment and accentuate each other.
If Blue Sky Riders is a country band, this is sipping Southern Comfort – not drinking out of a mason jar. Look to see if they are performing in your area. This is a show that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS.
They do have a couple of demo songs from their upcoming album on their web site. The album is scheduled for release in January 2013. It is on the top of my list when it becomes available and I would recommend that you put it at the top of yours as well.
Check out their facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/BlueSkyRiders?filter=2 and give them a like.
