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Pop and rock stars from the past return to Worthington

Date: 5/24/2022

WORTHINGTON – David Pollard had a hunch people in his small rural town and across the region would cheer for singers and bands from the 60’s and 70’s who came to town for an encore performance.

Pollard took a chance last summer and booked Jon Pousette-Dart to perform at The Links at Worthington golf course. Pollard owns the course and had Pousette-Dart play in the amphitheater. The night of the concert came, and so did hundreds of fans.

“We wanted to test it, but it went so well, we decided to launch a concert series this year,” said Pollard.

Pollard literally shot for the stars, targeting some of the biggest acts from 50 and 60 years ago. He hired a booking agent and together they put together a series that features Jim Messina, Pure Prairie League, Tom Rush, James Montgomery and Carle Cooke.

“We wanted to get a number of these artists who represent that late 60’s and 70’s pop and rock music vibe while they’re still with us. These guys are getting older, and we really want to enjoy their music while we can. It’s about the music we love. It isn’t any more complicated than that,” said Pollard.

Messina is scheduled to kick off this concert series with a June 25th performance. Pollard thinks he’ll have no problem attracting at least 500 people to see Messina and the other acts.

“I want to have those people who represent that wonderful time in the 60’s and 70’s when music was simple, and rock and roll was still being born. These guys were doing things nobody had ever done before,” said Pollard.

Fifty and 60 years ago, America and the world were enduring assassinations, the Vietnam War, protests, economic turmoil political corruption and a Cold War with the Soviet Union.

There was plenty going on, and musicians sang about it.

“For the first time, music was becoming a platform on which people could express their feelings. It became a social movement and music from the 60’s represented that for a lot of people. That affected all of us who grew up in that era. We were deeply moved, and it’s never left our consciousness. We haven’t seen anything like it since,” said Pollard.

“It was a personal thing for me. I remember saying ‘can you imagine getting one of these artists to play here.’ That’s how this conversation started. The core driver was personal. We just love this music and to be able to host some of these guys will be a dream come true,” said Pollard.

Music moved people to action then as it does now. Artists became symbols of a cause, their music turned into anthems for freedom and justice.

“It became such an important part of our lives. We’re trying to showcase and relive that a little bit while we can,” he said.

Once again there is economic turmoil and war on the global stage. Pollard thinks this is a perfect time to reprise sounds from 60 years ago, along with the artists that made the music.

“I love music and listening to it. I’m scratching a personal itch with this. We want our concerts to have that intimate feel with a beautiful golf course as your backdrop,” said Pollard.

Ticket prices range from $45 to $69 depending on the artists. To purchase tickets or see the full schedule of performances visit www.worthingtongolfclub.com. More information is also available by calling 238-4464.