MUSIC NOTESMUSIC NOTES
He’d driven a long way, from up north, past the vast concert halls where Neil Young and Stephen Stills charged top drawer prices, thereby becoming mega-millionaires in the process. But, he’d come not for rock and roll, but to give thanks to a pastor for his prayers and kindness that helped him through a difficult time.
“I wanted to thank you for what you wrote to me after my father died,” he told the pastor, with tears in his eyes.”Your words were a great comfort to me.”
The pastor hugged him. “Oh, man, I’m so glad to hear I could help,” the pastor said, “Remember that Jesus loves you.”
And, with that, Richie Furay, the founder, with Young and Stills, of the Buffalo Springfield; later, Poco; and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, went back to signing autographs and shaking hands after one of a weeklong July New England series of free, acoustic, concert performances and testimonies about his now 27-year journey as a Christian.
“What a week,” Furay said after returning to his Boulder, Colorado home. “It was tiring, but well worth it. I’m overwhelmed with the fans and friends who came out. It was very touching to me.”
Whether it was playing an almost two hour mix of Christian, Springfield, Poco and solo songs at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship hall in West Haven, or taking the time to meet fans at a special private dinner, where he answered questions for about an hour; mixing with a smaller, yet enthusiastic crowd at a New London coffeehouse, or turning a sweltering Norwalk middle school auditorium into a crystal clear Rocky Mountain day by the sound of his wondrous voice, Furay clearly inspired fans and believers alike with his incredible personal story of an erstwhile “rock star” who turned his life to the Lord.
“It was such a treat, as a Christian, to have him come and tell his story,” said Bill Elander, pastor of the West Haven Fellowship,” and, as a fan of his music, it was absolutely amazing.”
The tour, in which Furay was accompanied by multi-instrumentalist and close friend Scott Sellen, was put together by Joe Paskewich, the pastor in New London.
“It was amazing,” Paskewich said,”you’re looking at, basically, the history of rock and roll right there. And, his story of becoming a Christian is so inspiring.”
In the ego-filled world that is rock and roll, Furay is a breathtaking change of pace. Ready with a smile, a handshake or a hug, he is a warm, physical person who is the embodiment of a true Christian, bound in the spirit of giving of himself to others. . Furay, simply put, just radiates caring for his fellow man.
“It’s funny,” he said in an interview just before the first night’s performance. “ A few years ago, I would shake my finger at someone and say ‘you must accept Jesus.’ It was almost pushy, in a way.
“Then, I’d say, by the way, ‘Jesus loves you,’” he laughed. “ As I got older, I found there was a better, more positive, inclusive way to do it.”
“Richie is an absolutely amazing person,” said Sellen.”The time he gives to people, any hour of the day, is incredible. He is my pastor, my best friend and my musical partner, and I’m very proud to be a part of his life, and to have him be a part of my life.”
Furay’s performances mixed old classics like “For What It’s Worth,” which turned Mugz Coffeehouse in New London into a karaoke singalong of sorts; covers of Poco standards written by others, like “You Better Think Twice,” which Sellen, an incredible player on guitar, banjo, dobro and keyboards, absolutely nailed; and “Bad Weather,” with Christian-themed songs like “Wake Up My Soul,” and “In My Father’s House.” Along the way, he also added his classics like “Kind Woman,” and “Good Feelin’ to Know.” In between, he told stories about his conversion to Christianity and the joy of his 35 year marriage, four daughters and two grandchildren. His voice, unlike many of his contemporaries in their 50s, has not lost a thing, still sounding clear, strong and true.
“I am truly blessed,” he said.”I have had an amazing life, and I want to share it with others.”
Having seen three of the shows and spent time with him, I think we, his fans, are the ones who are truly blessed to have him among us.
Comments to Mark T. Gould