BY KEEGAN PROSSER
BELLEVUE REPORTER
If anyone knows how to reinvent himself, it’s Kenny Loggins. First, he was one half of the uber-popular pop duo, Loggins & Messina. Next, he was the go-to for blockbuster movie anthems. Now, he’s the mastermind behind, Blue Sky Riders, a country trio consisting of himself and Nashville staples Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr.
The Reporter recently caught up with the group, in advance of their show at Snoqualmie Casino this weekend.
REPORTER: How is this project different than other projects you’ve done?
Burr: Well, I’ve been a writer for hire in Nashville for 20 Years. For me this is a big thrill. I like being the guy off to the left, but I didn’t realize I wanted to be the guy at the front of the stage. This gives me that for the first time.
Middleman: [Generally] I write with so many different people, that I never have control of the final product. With Blue Sky Riders, it feels good to fulfill steps all they way, from a to z. That’s what happens when you are the artist and the business people.
Burr: Absolutely. We felt, if anyone was going to tell us our songs suck, it was going to be us.
REPORTER: What makes Blue Sky Riders work?
Middleman: We really respect each other. We are all fans of each other. It’s a real respectful collaboration.
Loggins: I would also say it’s the vocal blend. It’s the things that you can’t actually plan. We got lucky with that, all of us were shocked by that.
REPORTER: What inspires your songs?
Burr: One of the things is that we all like what each other does, but we all wanted this to be a different musical entity. We have to really work to keep a song in the middle so it doesn’t sound too much like one person.
Middleman: For me, it’s when you bring in song ideas to other writers. It’s a neat surprise because you never know what you’re going to get. I’m constantly surprised by this band.
Loggins: I’m inspired by the fact that I am in the room with two great writers. And wherever the song wants to go, we can go there.
REPORTER: What’s your favorite song to perform?
Loggins: “Just Say Yes,” is the one we’ve recorded most recently. It’s a year fresher than most and I like message – it speaks to me. I would say “Dream” – lyrically – matters to me, and I see it connecting with people in the audience.
Burr: I like “I get It” right now. It’s the scariest one we have to perform, because it’s so complicated. I have to concentrate on that the most, but I like the challenge.
REPORTER: What do you hope fans walk away with after your show?
Burr and Loggins: A CD [laughs].
Burr: Our shows – we have a lot of fun on stage – and that translates to an audience. We want people to feel that.
Loggins: It’s especially gratifying when an audience leaves saying “I didn’t know it was going to be this good.” I believe this tour coming up – we’ve been setting up for this for two years. I think we’re about to see the tour we dreamed of.
Find the Blue Sky Riders, HERE. The band plays at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, at Snoqualmie Casino.
