Born on 17 July 1944 in Washington, DC, Cunha grew up in southern California, where he launched his musical path as guitarist and vocalist. A founding member of the influential mid-60s US country/folk trio Hearts And Flowers, he performed on the group’s first album before Bernie Leadon took his place on Of Horses, Kids And Forgotten Women. He later served as host at the celebrated Los Angeles Troubador Club and spent several years on the road with guitarist Mason Williams. Throughout the 70s Cunha contributed to various sessions, including John Stewart’s The Lonesome Picker Rides Again, and released Songs, a standout collection of country-tinged songs. He also forged a productive partnership with Emmylou Harris, appearing on Pieces Of The Sky (1975), Elite Hotel (1976) and Luxury Liner (1977). Although CBS Records signed him, the label never issued the album it recorded; the project eventually surfaced years later on the independent Sierra imprint under the title Moving Pictures. That prolonged delay hampered the trajectory of an otherwise formidable talent who continues to command esteem among fellow musicians.
