- Tuesday, July 19, 2016

After spending more than half his life performing next to David Crosby, Graham Nash says he’ll never again record or play with his Crosby, Stills & Nash bandmate.

“I’m completely done with David Crosby,” Mr. Nash bluntly told The Washington Times. “I will never talk with David Crosby again.”

Mr. Nash wouldn’t go into detail.

“That’s between David and I,” the English musician said of his former friend. “I won’t tell anyone about that. But I will say that the damage between us is irreparable.

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Mr. Crosby claimed Mr. Nash’s 2013 autobiography is the reason for the discord, calling the book “full of inaccuracies and … misinformation.”

“It’s fine. We had a 40-odd-year run,” Mr. Nash said, brushing the topic aside. “It’s time for new things.”

At 74, the songsmith with the familiar light tenor is indeed starting over, with a new album called “This Path Tonight” and a solo tour that brings him to The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia, Thursday evening. “This Path Tonight” is only his second solo album in 30 years.

A spin of the poignant “Another Broken Heart” from the album makes evident this is the singer’s most personal project to date. “Another Broken Heart” was inspired by Mr. Nash’s breakup with Susan Sennett, his wife of 38 years, and his relationship with Mr. Crosby, the songwriter revealed.

None of the songs he wrote with CSN is as revelatory as his latest batch of material.

“I am laying it all out, and it feels good,” he said.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who was inducted in 1997 as a member of CSN and again in 2010 with The Hollies, even has a new girlfriend, Amy Grantham.

“I have to live life to the fullest,” Mr. Nash said. “I can’t be happy unless I’m satisfied with things. … I met a wonderful person, and I’m crazy about her. The rest of my life is very important to me.”

However, he is still paying fealty to the past. Last year Mr. Nash attended the 70th birthday party for former bandmate Neil Young — during the days when the group was called Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young .

“It was great to see him,” Mr. Nash said. “I think he invited me just so I know things are good with he and I.”

Mr. Nash is refreshingly candid and personal these days, which is notable since he is notoriously cagey about his personal life.

“That’s the way I always liked it, but I was just so moved and I had to write about” his personal life, he said. “It’s an exciting time in my life [and] I’ve been inspired to make this new music.”

Mr. Nash will also dig deep into the repertoire when he performs at The Birchmere, including in the set list not only CSN favorites but also some tunes from his days with the British group The Hollies.

He is already at work on more solo work.

“The day after this tour ends, I’ll be back in the studio,” he said. “I guarantee that it won’t be another 14 years between albums.”

Mr. Nash, who holds dual U.S. and U.K. citizenship, says he is concerned about his adopted country’s election this fall.

“Donald Trump is a very dangerous man,” he said. “He plays on fear, and it’s a shame.

“The sad thing is that only 50 percent of Americans vote. You look around the world, and people are literally dying to vote,” he said. “If you come out to my show, at least you’ll get away from all of that for a bit and have some peace.”

Mr. Nash aims to give his District audience such a welcome distraction Thursday evening.

“People love hearing the Crosby, Stills & Nash songs,” he said. ” I enjoy playing those songs, and I have no problem touching on my entire career,” he said of his setlist.

“I love looking back, but I also am all about looking forward. I still have plenty of music in me.”

Graham Nash appears Thursday at The Birchmere, located at 3701 Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, Virginia, 22305, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $90.50 by going to Ticketmaster.com.

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