Sundance 2013: Kenny Loggins back ‘Home’ again with new band
January 21st, 2013 Posted in Arts and LifeBy Dani Hayes
PARK CITY—Blue Sky Riders entertained a wall-to-wall packed ASCAP Music Café at Sundance on Friday. The band, featuring Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr, performed songs from their debut album, “Finally Home,” set to release on Tuesday.
Kenny Loggins and his new band, The Blue Sky Riders, perform at Sundance. Ben Hansen photo
Standing on stage, each with a guitar in hand, the three offered original compositions, finishing off with an encore of “Help” by The Beatles.
Loggins, half of the 1970s pop due Loggins and Messina, is now perhaps best known as the “King of the Movie Soundtrack” for his work for such films as “Footloose,” “Caddyshack” and “Top Gun.” Wanting to form a new band, Loggins contacted Burr, a prominent country songwriter.
The two said they needed a female band member with a voice, but even more important, who was a good songwriter. It was a short search, Burr said: “She’s sitting right next to me.”
Burr was dating Middleman at the time, and they’ve since gotten married. She has no problem holding her own on stage, having worked with artists like Willie Nelson, Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney. She brings spunk to the Blue Sky Riders that delighted the audience.
The trio rivals many other bands with their stellar musical expertise and fluid harmonies. Middleman stands center-stage, flanked by Loggins and Burr. There is plenty of comic banter, which demonstrates the band’s easy chemistry and adds to their better-than-average original lyrics.
Blue Sky Riders’ debut album, “Finally Home,” features news songs that may reflect both the reawakening careers and the personality of the band members, including the title track “I’m a Rider” (Finally Home), “How’s That Workin’ For Ya?,” “Little Victories,” “Just Say Yes,” “Feelin’ Brave” and “You’re Not the Boss of Me.”
Combining Loggins’ musical virtuosity, Burr’s songwriting skills and Middleman’s personality and playful personality, Blue Sky Riders offers listeners skilled guitar playing and tight harmonies, all accompanied by quality songwriting by three seasoned and talented musicians.
Bill Hatcher Photo
TP
Tags: Blue Sky Riders, Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Kenny Loggins, Sundance 2013
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