Earlier this month Colorado-based singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop issued a press release that took this writer by surprise. In the press release he referenced a conversation with his wife in which she implored him to get back on the road and to resume touring. If you’ve followed this blog for the last year or so you’ll remember Bishop retired early last year citing a desire to stay at home and slow down. He also released his final album Thimk and said his future plans involved no touring and no new music.

While it’s doubtful he’ll release a post-Thimk album, it is exciting that he’s plotting some tour dates. Here’s hoping he comes to Florida. Would be a true delight to finally hear “On and On” live. The only previous version of that song this writer has heard live was a Graham Colton rendition in 2000 at Cat’s Cradle in North Carolina.

Backing off retiring is nothing new in the sports world but it’s still relatively unheard of in the music industry. His return to the stage marks the end to a seven year touring hiatus and includes select dates in the United States and abroad. Bishop has promised an all star band an a few legendary friends of his to join him on this tour. As of this post, dates are still six months away. Bishop has documented on social media that he is starting to rehearse and re-learn some of his music. All in all, it’s a win for yacht rock music lovers. A chance to see the Oscar and two-time GRAMMY-nominated artist is within reach.

Bishop’s hits include the aforementioned “On and On”, “It Might Be You” (from the film Tootsie), “Save it For a Rainy Day”, “Separate Lives” (from the film White Nights”) and “Animal House” (from the eponymous film). Bishop has written over 650 songs and released 19 albums. He’s sold 15 million records worldwide and an additional 100 million records sold by artists who have released his songs.

He has also accumulated 2.8 billion streams and counting. The roster of artists who have covered his music include: Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Beyonce, Art Garfunkel, Luciano Pavarotti, Steve Perry (of Journey) Frida (of ABBA), Kenny Loggins, Johnny Mathis, Phoebe Snow, David Crosby, The Four Tops and many more. Since the year 1974, over 75 major recording artists have covered at least one of his songs. Perhaps most impressively though are the artists who cite him as a personal favorite. That list includes Phil Collins, Eric Clapton and Art Garfunkel.