I am really excited. I just found out that Poco is coming to Fort McDowell Casino. Not everyone knows Poco; not everyone who knows Poco likes this great country-rock band; but I know them, and I really love them. They definitely are of my generation -- and their music reminds me of some of the happiest times of my life. Lots of bands were influenced by those guys -- The Eagles, Alabama, Firefall (who just happen to be coming to the Fort with Poco and Ambrosia), Little River Band and others.

Poco has just the simplest sound, but its musicians are top shelf. The early players – Richie Furay, Rusty Young, Jim Messina, George Grantham and Randy Meisner – formed the new group after splitting from Buffalo Springfield (another fave). This original group didn’t last long – there were issues among the members, so some went elsewhere. Meisner became a founding member of The Eagles. Eventually Jim Messina and Richie Furay left, leaving Rusty Young, who has now been joined by Jack Sundrud, George Lawrence and Michael Webb.

These guys are the real deal. They are pickers of the first order. They have been around, and they continue to make great music. They released a new CD, “All Fired Up,” in February, featuring, what their website says is “their trademark blazing instrumentals and soaring harmonies.” That pretty much sums it up.

So Poco will be at Fort McDowell Casino at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, which are available at ticketmaster.com or at the Casino Gift Shop. Fort McDowell is located two miles north of Shea on the Beeline Highway.

Here’s something I didn’t know: (but my friend and colleague Mike Scharnow asked about it) Poco originally wanted to call itself Pogo, after the cartoon character. Artist Walt Kelley said no way, so the group changed its name to Poco. So there you go. Maybe you learned something today.