Richie Furay's Reward

Last Thursday evening, my wife and I were lucky enough to see Richie Furay at a 200 seat auditorium known as "The Kate" in Old Saybrook, CT. Richie is 81. He doesn't think he had the same level of success in the music industry as a number of his contemporaries. I guess he's correct, if success is measured in hit records and financial success. But here's the thing....

I was a huge Poco fan when I was in college. Had all the records. Played a number of their songs. Loved Furay's voice and songmaking. But I never made a point to go see Poco, or Souther, Hillman, Furay for that matter. I don't think I had a full appreciation for how impactful Furay's music was on my music style. Last Thursday night, I felt like I was listening to my music.

Furay chose to leave the life of the touring musician after the Souther Hillman Furay Band fizzled to save his marriage and have a family. He became a minister in Colorado. He tours today with his daughter, playing the songs he loves to people that also love those songs. That's a pretty rich life, in my opinion. But here's the thing - maybe because he decided to get away from the touring musician thing for many years - at the age of 81, he has not lost much at all in terms of his distinct and memorable singing voice. I's say that his daughter Jesse is lucky enough to have inherited his singing gene as well.

I do regret never seeing Poco, but after last Thursday, that hardly matters. I was there, singing Good Feelin To Know right along with Richie. Last Thursday night, Richie lamented that none of his songs had ever reached the status of others' songs, like say "Take It Easy". Well, Richie - here's the thing - I get goosebumps everytime I hear (or sing) Good Feelin To Know. Take It Easy ?- great song and all, fun to sing - but absolutely no goosebumps ever. Richie - I hope knowing that folks like me get shivers listening to your music helps you forget the greater fame and fortune that you chose to not chase.