Rusty Young - The Leader of Poco Talks in-depth about His First Solo Album and Joyfully Reminisces about the Past

Robert Neil Speaks with...

After more than 50 years in music, Rusty Young, the leader of the group Poco, has recorded his first solo album. The new set is entitled ‘Waitin’ for the Sun,’ (Blue Élan Records) and it features 10 songs that not only give you a peek into Young’s life, but also into his emotions, as the “Crazy Love” singer/songwriter is unabashedly sentimental.

In an interview with veteran journalist Robert Neil, Young tells the stories behind the songs, and when he gets to the track “My Friend,” already rising in popularity, it becomes an historic, musical trip down memory lane about the musicians he’s known and the friendships that have endured.

While some artists promoting a new album might not want to talk about the past, Young embraces it and happily talks about former Poco bandmates Randy Meisner, Richie Furay, Jim Messina and Timothy B. Schmit, as well as others such as Gregg Allman (who once auditioned to be a member of Poco), Gram Parsons, JD Souther, Don Henley and Glenn Frey.

A few of the members of Poco – past and present – are featured on the new album.

‘Waitin’ for the Sun’ also features songs about Young’s family, and in the interview he provides the backstories to songs about his daughter (“Sara’s Song”) and his grandparents (“Honey Bee”).

Young says life has been good to him, and the album is a reflection of his appreciation. Poco fans will easily be drawn to the album as will fans of the southern rock genre that emerged in the early 1970s. The most satisfying news about the album may be that Young had such a good time making it, he’s interested in a follow up, and more stories from this natural storyteller would be welcome.