Foster Auditorium

October 20, 1973

Many critics would argue to country rock movement reached a refinement point about the time the band performed in Tuscaloosa. Original member Jim Messina had already departed for a new band with Kenny Loggins when the UPC booked Poco for a gig at Foster. Founded in 1968 when Messina and guitarist-vocalist Richie Furay left Buffalo Springfield, the pair recruited drummer Grantham, multi-instrumentalist Rusty Young, and bassist Randy Meisner (who was soon replaced by Timothy B. Schmit). When Messina left in 1970, guitarist Paul Cotton took his slot. Soon after forming the band released “Pickin’ Up the Pieces,” which started the ball rolling for the band. Critics saw it as a pioneering effort in a genre that was gaining momentum. By the time Poco released “Crazy Eyes” in the Fall of 1973, just before the UPC show, they’d developed their own fan base. The album featured songs written by nearly every member of the band, a Gram Parsons number (“Brass Buttons”) and “Magnolia” by trailblazing Oklahoma singer-songwriter J.J. Cale. But it was also a jumping off point for Furay who founded The Souther Hillman Furay Band in the wake of leaving Poco. The evening’s opening act was Ned. They’d released they only album in 1973. It was produced by Bill Stewart with help from Paul Hornsby and Johnny Sandlin, core members of rhythm sections at Capricorn Records (Allman Brothers, Marshall Ticker, Wet Willie), and featured guitarist Tommy Talton of Cowboy fame. Ned was Southern rock, but in an early stage, and a bit more mellow than their label mates.