As I'm typing I am holding back a flood of tears; how can this possibly be? This incredibly talented, down to earth, special man taken away from you and us. I had the privilege and opportunity of meeting THE POCO lineup several times at The Ramshead in Annapolis. Even better of grooving, and soaring to the magic that was POCO performed live. That magic is now lessened by the loss of so great a talent. I have to thank the Eagles for existing-in reading about them I learned of POCO (in the 70's) and have been an ardent fan for decades.
One humorous aside: my husband and I happened to enter the area where the sound check was going on. Rusty was walking towards us but on his way out of the area. There was wrinkle in the carpet that I saw and he didn't. I could see he was about to trip-which he did, I leaned forward and he nearly fell into my lap. He leaned back up and before he could say anything I yelled out ARE YOUR HANDS ALRIGHT!!!! He smirked and said they were. Those incredibly talented hands; his loving heart and his great voice - silence. My prayers and condolences to everyone in his family and his friends who will be left with a void in their lives and will be grieving his loss. Hopefully the Honky Tonk upstairs will echo with his playing...

POCO has been so much a part of my life from the first time I picked up that beautiful, fresh, first album at Golde’s Department store in Hazelwood, Missouri (1969). The first time I saw them in concert was their performance at the Mississippi River Festival. That performance at MRF will stick with me FOREVER. Poco has been with me through good times and bad. Rusty’s and Poco’s music brings me so much joy. Whenever I feel down I listen to Poco.

And so it goes...

“It comes from the backwoods of meadows and memories. Sunshine encasted in honey-sweet rhymes. That linger so gently in rustic illusions. To whittle your ears, to the sound of the times”.

It’s a good morning and I am feelin’ fine!

Rest in peace Rusty.

Mary, my sincere condolences to you!! I had told Rusty on one of his last post when you guys went to diner. I lost my wife of being Married for 46 years and we were together for 49. I noticed how happy you and Rusty were in the picture! It is going to be a rough road for sure. But with your family and friends around you you will at your own pace begin to creep out and begin to heal. what is going to help you the most is the true love that you and Rusty( as my wife and I ) have, You will securely keep these special Mary and Rusty monuments tucked away because there will be times that family and friends are not enough so you will reach deep within and retrieve one or two of these special times and soon Rusty will cover you with a blanket of security only he can provide! I can’t tell you how many time I call upon my Dianne and she is there in all her beauty and wisdom to help me along this lonely path. Mary know we are all with you I enjoyed my dealings with all my orders from you and Rusty. His presence his talents will be missed. It is up to you and I to keep their memory, their presence, with us. Again I am so so sorry!!
To me , grief is love we cannot express!

Mike Lofurno

Absolutely saddened by the loss of Rusty :( just started listening to Poco the past few weeks again and have loved hearing every song. One of my favorites is “Heart of the night” where we can hear the great steel guitar player! RIP Rusty, play that steel guitar up there, love you and your music!

I am absolutely crushed by loss of Rusty. I have been following Poco since the the very early days. Saw several concerts and in 2012, had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Rusty. He was such a friendly, down to earth guy. His rapport with audiences was unparalleled, and concerts were so much fun. RIP Rusty.

Hi, I’m very impressed by the dead of Rusty, I love his music (the music of the band), today I have posted a reel in my Instagram profile @6dilly4dally using his great song “Rose Of Cimarron”, and I wish to send you, to his family, a copy of the drawing that appears in the reel. Please, tell me how can I send this little tribute. Thanks and God bless you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CNx3JbgIN9Z/?igshid=mejses079qu5

I have no words. Love you forever and will always remember your decency and humanity. My pedal steel hero and leader of one of the best bands ever to play. My heart is 💔

Why did you leave us? Rusty you were a ray of sunshine. You were my pedal steel hero. You were starlight and decency. Love and joy. Poco was always one of my favorite bands and you were the reason. I will miss you and honor your legacy of giving and caring. I hope you will be playing when I leave this earthly plane and hopefully I get to heaven to see you again.

Rest In Peace, Brother Rusty. Thanks for leaving us your music to play and your music in our hearts. May your family be comforted by the musical family and friends left behind. Love you.

RIP Rusty - will be listening to POCO all day (and probably crying a little bit) remembering all the POCO concerts I went to since the early 70s. Godspeed and condolences to your family