Concert Memories

September 6, 1998 American Music Festival, Virginia Beach, VA

It was 1998 and I hadn't seen Poco in 8 years, not since the Legacy reunion. I was jonesing for a major fix but in the mid 90s Poco was on a much lighter tour schedule that virtually NEVER came near Philadelphia. They seemed to stay in the west, midwest and south for the most part with the odd visit to the NYC area which I wouldn't be able to make due to budget or time constraints. The '98 schedule seems as sparse as ever. They were appearing in Virginia Beach on Labor Day Weekend. Well, what the heck, why not go to them if they wouldn't come to me. I'd never been to VA Beach so it would be an adventure. I headed off around noon on Sunday the 6th and found the trip south very pleasant and relaxing. US highways are so much nicer than the overcrowded Interstates where people weave in and out, go too fast and take WAY too many stupid chances! I arrived in VA Beach a little over 4 hours and 300plus miles later. I quickly purchased a map and headed to 17th Street Beach Stage where Poco was due to play at 9 that evening. I quickly realized that this was a whole music festival that occurs every Labor Day weekend and most the week prior to boot! After parking the car I was heading to the beach when a familiar song rang out. Wait, that sounded familiar.....It was "So Long" by Firefall. THEY WERE HERE TOO??!!! EXCELLENT! I quickly raced over to catch their set (I'd only missed the first song). They were another group that didn't get to my area too much. What a treat! After their set I spoke to the guys and got the lowdown on what their latest goings on were since I'd last seen them 2 years ago. Afterwards, I headed to one of the nearby restaurants for a delicious dinner complete with mash potatoes. Back at the stage I spoke to some surfers about my age who were also Poco fans. They hadn't seen them in years. Poco came on with Legend and did not disappoint! The weather was breezy and PERFECT with a full moon over the ocean. Rusty appropriately dedicated Cajun Moon to this beautiful scene. The surfers were happy to hear Rose Of Cimarron. Jock Bartley joined them for their encore, Before You Accuse Me.

Jim Mullen