On My Mind: Never Too Old to Dream

I love stories of people who have new ideas, get fueled by passion and reinvent themselves regardless of what their “critics” say.

Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting to hear that type of story when I headed to the Lyric on Sunday night to enjoy a concert given by Kenny Loggins.  Now, I’ve been a Kenny Loggins fan since college when he was part of Loggins & Messina.  I saw them in concert singing songs like House at Pooh Corner, Angry Eyes and Your Mama Don’t Dance.

For four decades, Kenny has continued to be a prolific songwriter.  Twelve of his albums have gone platinum, and over the decades, I have found myself singing songs he wrote like… What a Fool Believes, Conviction of the Heart, I Believe in Love, Footloose, Whenever I Call You Friend, This is It, and a gazillion more.

So, it was interesting to hear his story – after years of success – of wanting to start again and put together a new band, and how he almost got talked out of it.

Kenny traveled to Nashville to write a song with Gary Burr, a prolific songwriter on his own, who’s been inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame with 33 top forty hits, 24 top tens and 14 number ones.  Not too shabby.

When Kenny went back to Santa Barbara, he couldn’t let go of the magic that had been sparked while working with Gary.  So, he called him and said, “Let’s form a band.  And, we need a female in it.”  Gary said “Sure… and I’ve got the perfect singer…Georgia Middleman. She’s the best I’ve ever worked with.”

Now, Georgia Middleman just happens to be another accomplished songwriter /singer who has had her songs recorded by Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban and others.

Kenny flew back to Nashville and everyone came together to write.  Magic happened when three great songwriters with fabulous voices came together to create.

Excited about what was coming together, Kenny flew back to Santa Barbara and just happened to call a friend in the music business to let him know about his new venture and to get his thoughts.  His “friend”, in no uncertain terms, let him know it was a crazy idea – he had already made his way in the music industry.  At his age (65), why try something so risky?

Deflated, Kenny sent a text to his co-horts in Nashville that basically said, “Too old to dream.”

And, that one little text kicked off a song, re-ignited some passion and Blue Sky Riders was on its way.

Before I heard this story, I wouldn’t have thought that people like Kenny Loggins could have their dreams smashed when talking with a “friend”.  I thought that just happened to people like me and others who have told me similar stories – not famous people with long pedigrees of success.

It’s a big reminder that it happens to everyone and that when your passion is ignited… listening to your own heart is sometimes the best advice you can get.  And, stick with those buddies who can see it for you, too.   After all, you’re never too old to dream.

Enjoy Dream by Blue Sky Riders and check out the wonderful lyrics:

Who are you to tell me what I can’t do – well that ain’t right

As if all I’ve been’s all I’m ever gonna be for the rest of my life

You take the glory days, I’ll take what’s on its way

All I can do is believe in myself – if I listen to you I might as well…

Leave me in the rain – send me out to sea

Lock me up in chains – throw away the key

The day I ever get too old to dream

Do you even have a heart – what good would that be

I may be walkin, talkin but it won’t be me

The day I ever get too old to dream

In my heart I can still hear the drummin and I dance to the beat

I wanna be the one who’s gonna follow the sun and trust the heat

These are the glory days – can’t let em slip away

No one can tell me my best days are done – no one but me and if that day comes… 

Leave me in the rain – send me out to sea

Lock me up in chains – throw away the key

The day I ever get too old to dream

Do you even have a heart – what good would that be

I may be walkin, talkin but it won’t be me

The day I ever get too old to dream