Journeyman Singer Songwriter, Musician & Producer Set to Play Charleston Music Hall
Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer
Just 20 years old when he tasted initial success with Buffalo Springfield, musician, songwriter, singer, guitarist, recording engineer and producer Jim Messina would move on to record two albums with the newly formed band Poco, before exiting in 1970 to help produce up and coming artist Kenny Loggins, a partnership that would pair the duo for another six years.
Messina’s admits his rise in the music industry was equal parts happenstance and determination. “Even though I flirted with the guitar in grade school, I started getting more serious around age 13 and just kept it up through high school.”
At 16 (1964) he recorded an LP with ‘His Jesters’ titled The Dragsters. Messina played lead guitar on the notable song ‘The Jester’, a track that found life nearly 40 years later when it was included on the 2003 CD Lost Legends of Surf Guitar Volume 1.
After graduation and looking to further his craft Messina started looking for studio work around Los Angeles. While he was forging relationships with Buffalo Springfield, he admits to being drawn to the production side. “Here I was just 18 years old, and I became an engineering apprentice. I asked the recording engineer if I could intern under him, and he said yes.” That fueled a lifetime passion.
Despite enjoying success in his early 20’s Messina says he never bought into the whole fame thing. “Stardom never appealed to me. I was never the one to hang out after the show.”
Although Messina appreciated the kudos extended him for his contributions to his craft, he couldn’t understand the rock star adulation. “It’s crazy how fans idolize artists. I remember my first gig with Buffalo Springfield. I’m coming out of stage door and wearing this really nice jacket that had fringes on it and fans are grabbing on it. I guess they wanted a piece of me. I’m like, hey this is a really good jacket.”
Messina would achieve his biggest success with Loggins. The soft rock duo would go on to sell over 20 million records, charting three Top 20 singles ‘Thinking of You’, ‘My Music’, and perhaps their signature song ‘You Mama Don’t Dance’ which reached number four on the pop charts. Among their various well-known songs are ‘Danny’s Song’ and ‘House at Pooh Corner’. “We put out some really good music.”
While Loggins had a string of hits after the twosome parted, Messina’s solo career not so much. “I recorded what I felt were really good albums, but in the early 1980’s the industry was changing. The record labels were outsourcing their marketing work, so the labels invested less time. In the old days they would work with the artists. The new guys didn’t do their jobs. It’s kind of sad how it all unfolded.”
He adds, “I had a pretty strong track record and had great product but the with the labels going through transition I didn’t get the proper respect when my albums got released.”
During that same time period (late 70’s & early 80’s) Poco were enjoying their biggest success. Messina admits he’s never second guessed his decisions. “I don’t have any regrets. The choices I made were my own and the way my career panned out was a result of those choices. Overall, I’m not bitter. I’ve kept busy in this industry writing songs, producing and recording.”
Well respected for his contributions to other artists, Messina spent most of the 1980’s & 90’s flying under the Top 40 radar. In 1989, Poco’s original lineup (Messina, Richie Furay, Rusty Young, George Grantham and Randy Meisner) regrouped for a successful reunion tour. “The timing was right, and it was a lot of fun.”
The 21st century has seen several Loggins & Messina reunions. “Kenny and I have gotten together a few times over the years. We have mutual respect for each other. We toured in 2005 and again in 2009. Back in 2018 we performed as part of a fundraiser for our good friend George Hawkins.” Hawkins was a well-received bass player who spent several years with Loggins, lending his musical talents to such artists as John Fogerty and Richard Marx. Jim and Kenny recently performed at the famed Hollywood Bowl.
Messina may have made his mark in the industry hanging out in southern California but decided years ago to relocate Music City USA (Nashville). “I enjoyed my time in California. I have a lot of friends out there. I made my mark in California, but it’s changed drastically over the years.” Explaining further, “So many droughts. And we love to live in the countryside, live off the land, so relocating to the Nashville area just felt right.”
He adds, “For me I’ve always had friends in Nashville as well. I came here for my kids, and my family. Education is important and quality of life, so I’d say I’m at peace living here.”
An all-around versatile musician who will turn 75 in December, Messina isn’t trying to turn back the clock. “I’m comfortable growing older. It’s not like you can stop the aging process. I know a lot of people in the entertainment industry want to keep up appearances, and that’s all well in fine, but I’m just trying to do my best to maintain.”
He admits his focus has changed over the years. “I absolutely enjoy my life now. I love where I’m living now. I love my wife. We’ve been together over two decades now. I love my family.”
How does the iconic singer songwriter keep busy now. “I still perform. It’s a part of me that’s hard to let go of. I enjoy playing live for fans who want to see me. I hit the road about nine months out of the year and maybe play 10 shows a month. I realize I’m not going to sellout large arenas. I’m comfortable playing halls and performing arts centers that hold 500 to 900 people. Honestly, I’m happy people are still buying tickets and want to come out.”
But Messina’s downtime is quite different when not performing. “I’ve always been a craftsman. I enjoy building things. I have a woodshop. I do a lot of my own projects around the house. I have a tractor. We have animals and we grow stuff. I enjoy tinkering with electronics.”
Producing musical acts is still on his list although not as high as it used to be. “I haven’t done it in a while, but I love producing and engineering records. It’s the same process for me as building something. I’m a craftsman at heart.” He admits there’s no hurry to produce. “Right now, I’m still working on building my own studio. Another one of my many ongoing projects.”
Messina adds, “I’m also waiting to find the right artist. I’m more interested in someone who has a whole team in place. Someone who knows what he or she wants and has some experience singing. I don’t have time at this stage of my life to help launch another Kenny Loggins.”
Messina is content at this stage of his life. His family and homelife are in good shape, and he’s equally happy with his place in rock n’ roll history. “I have little to complain about. I make a decent living doing what I do. I can feed my family and have plenty left over at Christmas time to buy some presents.”
The very durable and entertaining Jim Messina will bring his live show to the Charleston Music Hall this Sunday Oct 16th at 8pm. Tickets are still available by visiting https://www.charlestonmusichall.com/event/jim-messina/
