Millersville University - Touchstone Yearbook (Millersville, PA)

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John Hall Paves the Way for Poco In spite of the bright stage lights. Paul Cotton (left) stresses the Importance of gaining eye contact with the audience. Photo by Carlos Martinez. John Mall stated that he enjoys being an opening act because the audience has “little expectation' of that position. Well. John Mall certainly removed the usual connotation from the term “ opening act when he Kicked off the concert on September 26. at Pucillo Gym. Mall proved to be a musical magician at exciting the crowd for the main act. POCO. The mass that filled the gymnasium responded to every song he played, from country-western to rock to mellow rock. Prom the beginning to the end. the audience carried him high on excited swells of applause, which brought the house down at the sound of favorites. Still The One and Dance With Me. both of which Mall wrote and recorded with the group Orleans. Hcvcr has such a diversified, and well received, one-man act performed on campus. Mall was demanded back for an encore by the wild cheers of the group. In an interview after the concert, a relaxed John Mall expressed his feelings on many topics. Although used to per- forming with a band (he led his own group for several years before Joining Orleans, and, after six years. Joined and toured as a member of Little Teat), Mall likes the freedom of being by himself on stage, tver since he began playing at high school dances at the age of twelve Mall has loved performing for an audience. Me started his affair with music at the age of four-and-a-half when he took piano lessons. Me later learned to play french horn and taught himself to play the guitar. Although a diversified musician John went to Hotre Dame for a year and a half to major In physics before deciding at age eighteen, to become a full-time musician. A very wise decision, that led John Into performing fifty to sixty concerts a year. The amazing talent of this man has been influenced by some great musicians, especially the rhythm and blues artists. Mall wrote songs for other performers as well as providing a lot of background music. Mowevcr, he began to tire of that and now performs solo, singing mostly his own compositions. Me feels that he can predict a hit. yet still tests his songs on a selective audience of close friends and family. According to John, his mother had tears in her eyes after she heard “Dance With Me for the first time. Although admittedly a lot of energy and time are required. John Hall has never regretted going into the music profession. Mis main complaints centered on the bright lights that prohibit him from seeing the audience. To gain eye contact, Mall often steps out of the spotlight. The flame that John Mall had ignited in the crowd was fanned higher as Poco took the stage for the second half of the concert. The group gave an electrifying performance, varying their pieces with country, blue grass, hard and mellow rock. Paul Cotton and Rusty Young held the audience spellbound with their duets on guitar and banjo, and dobro and guitar. The audience cheered loudly as they recognized the opening strains of Poco s hits. “Crazy Love and “ Heart of the Might. 12 Poco

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Protecting themselves Irom the Homecoming rains. Karen Robinson, Nclccy Durin. LaDonna Dressed ror the occasion. Gallagher delights a Jessup, Cheryl Kirk, and Jaylyn Bostic huddle together under their umbrellas, Photo by florin full house at Lyte Auditorium. Photo by Merln Studios. Inc. Studios. Inc. In their 14-3 victory over East Stroudsburg, ploccklckcr Mark Zeswlt boots another extra point. Photo by Merln Studios. Inc. Homecoming 11

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 The group effectively used backdrops to set the mood for five of their songs. Each scene showed beautiful pictures and scenes. Especially striking were the white rose shown during the ’ Rose of Clmmcron number and the Poco horse from their Legend album. Under the Gun , their most recent hit met with boisterous cheers. Poco left the stage but returned for their encore amid much cheering, stomping, and clapping. The encore was mostly country music and an enthusiastic crowd eagerly welcomed the selections. Dancers in front of the stage gave a hodown effect to the end of the concert. Again Poco exited, and again, the spectators cheered for a return —but it was In vain. The house lights came up, signalling the conclusion of an exciting and memorable evening. Off stage, lead guitarist Paul Cotton spoke of his connection with the group as well as various Poco trivia. The group originated as Pogo in 1967. That name, derived from a favorite comic strip, was changed after the group received a summons concerning copy-write of the title. Rusty Young the only original member of the group, and Cotton write all of the songs. They find it difficult to predict a hit because of the Instability of the music world In spite of this, Poco's songs have been well received, especially their Legend and Under the Gun albums. Cotton, who joined the group in 1972. likes cveything about his choice of profession. While on stage the group concerns themselves with the response and reactions of the crowd, however, those reactions become hard to detect when the lights arc shining in our eyes. The Poco horse from Legend was originally designed by a painter who likes to paint in three tones with lines. The group simplified their symbol by cutting down the lines and using just black. The result has become their symbol. Student response to the concert was astounding. Although the support given to John Hall was lacking for Poco. the whole concert proved exciting and stimulating for the Millersvillc audience. Lori Jo Pfeiffer Jean M. Witt As the only original member. Poco ' k-.jsu Young enjoys reminiscing about the ■•.iris days of the group. Photo by Vicky rtcWofi.ii;.1-- flo flukes advocate John hall Initiates the first major concert of the year The crowd reacts ecstatically as Poco band members Paul Cotton m.ac at Puclllo Qymnaslum. sponsored by the College Union Board. Photo by Chapman and Charlie Marrison give an outstanding perform.me - u Vicky McMonagle. September 26 s concert. Photo by Vicky Mcflonaglc. Poco 13