Blue Sky Riders fulfill their “Dream”

Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr

The Tin Pan South Festival capped off a great week with the debut of the Blue Sky Riders, a new band teaming Kenny Loggins with Nashville songwriters Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman. It’s an unlikely combination, but it really works.
Loggins said he had such a great time writing songs with Burr for his last album that he impulsively decided they should form a band. Unfortunately, feedback from a trusted industry friend was discouraging. Loggins was too old to start a band, his friend said.
So much for advice. That admonishment led to both Blue Sky Riders and “Dream,” an anthem for folks of a certain age who refuse to settle. “You take the glory days, I’ll take what’s on its way,” they sing, defying others’ expectations.
Speaking of expectations, they were certainly exceeded. Loggins, Burr and Middleman are all accomplished songwriters and good with an audience, but there was remarkable chemistry here. The band – with help from first-rate players – rocked, and the harmonies were outstanding.
The Blue Sky Riders don’t have enough material for a CD yet, so their set was rounded out with acoustic solo performances and then energetic takes of Burr’s “Love’s Been A Little Bit Hard on Me,” Middleman’s “I’m In” and Loggins’ “Footloose.”
Art Garfunkel’s project with Maia Sharp and Buddy Mondlock a few years back yielded a fine album, but you never had the sense they were a band, or even wanted to be.
The Blue Sky Riders are very much a band. Burr has spent time in bands with both Ringo Starr and Carole King, and this partnership with Loggins makes perfect sense – and pretty impressive music.
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