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Sam Bush

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the musician. For the member of the Bush political family, seeSamuel P. Bush.

Sam Bush
Sam Bush performs in June 2012.
Sam Bush performs in June 2012.
Background information
Birth nameCharles Samuel Bush
Born(1952-04-13)April 13, 1952(age 72)
Bowling Green,Kentucky, U.S.
GenresProgressive bluegrass
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
Instrument(s)Mandolin,fiddle,banjo,guitar
Years active1963–present
LabelsFlying Fish,Sugar Hill,Ridge Runner
Websitesambush

Charles Samuel Bush(born April 13, 1952) is an Americanmandolinistwho is considered an originator ofprogressive bluegrassmusic. In 2020, he was inducted into theInternational Bluegrass Music Hall of Fameas a member ofNew Grass Revival.He was inducted into the Hall of Fame a second time in 2023 as a solo artist.

History

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Born inBowling Green,Kentucky, Bush was exposed to country and bluegrass music at an early age through his father, Charlie's, record collection, and later by theFlatt & Scruggstelevision show. Buying his first mandolin at the age of 11, his musical interest was further piqued when he attended the inaugural Roanoke, VA Bluegrass Festival in 1965. As a teen, Bush took first place three times in the junior division of the National Oldtime Fiddler's Contest in Weiser, ID. He joined guitarist Wayne Stewart, his mentor and music teacher during Sam's teen years, and banjoistAlan Munde(later of Country Gazette) and the three recorded an instrumental album,Poor Richard's Almanac,in 1969.[1]In the spring of 1970, Bush attended the Fiddlers Convention atUnion Grove, NC,and was inspired by the rock-flavoredprogressive bluegrassof the New Deal String Band.[2]Later that year, he moved to Louisville and joined the Bluegrass Alliance. In the fall of 1971, the band dissolved and reformed as theNew Grass Revival.[3]

The New Grass Revival went through numerous personnel changes, with Bush remaining as the sole original member. Bassist and vocalistJohn Cowanjoined in 1974, withbanjoaceBéla Fleckand acoustic guitaristPat Flynnbeing enlisted in 1981. From 1979 through 1981, the group toured withLeon Russell,opening the shows and backing Russell during his headlining set.[4]

Beginning in 1980, Bush and Cowan periodically jammed with the Nashville-based Duckbutter Blues Band, whose other members were blues guitarist Kenny Lee, drummer Jeff Jones, and bassist Byron House. Bush recorded his debut solo album,Late as Usual,four years later. In 1989, Bush and Fleck joinedMark O'Connor,Jerry Douglas,andEdgar Meyerin an all-star bluegrass band,Strength in Numbers,at theTelluride Bluegrass FestivalinColorado.When the New Grass Revival dissolved in 1989, Bush joinedEmmylou Harris' Nash Ramblers, touring and recording with Harris for the next five years.

In 1995, Bush worked as a sideman withLyle Lovettand Bela Fleck'sFlecktones.He formed his own band, featuring Cowan and ex-Nash Ramblers Jon Randall and Larry Atamanuick, shortly before recording his second solo album,Glamour & Grits,in 1996. He released his next album,Howlin' at the Moon,in 1998, with many of the same players and special guests, including Harris, Fleck andJ. D. Crowe.

In the winter of 1997, Bush and the New Grass Revival reunited for an appearance onLate Night with Conan O'Brienas the backup band forGarth Brooks.On March 28, 1998, Bush's hometown ofBowling Green, KY,honored him with a special "Sam Bush Day" celebration.

FollowingHowlin' at the Moonin 1998, he releasedIce Caps: Peaks of Telluride in 2000,which was a live recording. In 2004, Randall left Bush's band andBrad Davistook over harmony vocals and guitar duties.

In 2006, Bush releasedLaps in Seven.The release was significant because it marked the return of thebanjoto Bush's recordings, played byScott Vestal.The guitarist, Keith Sewell, performed on the recording, but shortly after took a job with theDixie Chicks.Bush sought a new guitarist for his recordings and road band and foundStephen Mougin.

In 2007, Bush released his firstlive concertDVD, titledOn The Road.2007 also marked the first time he had been chosen to host theInternational Bluegrass Music AssociationAwards.

Bush contributed to two bluegrasstribute albumsto the BritishProgressive Rockbandthe Moody Blues– 2004'sMoody Bluegrass:A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues,and 2011'sMoody BluegrassTWO...Much Love.Bush provided the lead vocal for theRay Thomassong "Nice To Be Here" on the latter album. [5]

He lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Awards and honors

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  • Sam Bush hosted the 22nd annualInternational Bluegrass Music AssociationAwards September 29, 2011 held at Nashville's historicRyman Auditorium.He also hosted the 2007IBMA Awards,held at theGrand Ole Opry House.[6][7]
  • TheAmericana Music Association(AMA) presented Sam Bush with the Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist award at the 8th AnnualAmericana Honors & Awardsceremony, presented by the Gibson Foundation at Ryman Auditorium September 17, 2009.[8]
  • TheInternational Bluegrass Music Association(IBMA) has named Sam Bush Mandolin Player of the Year four times, in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 2007.[9][10]
  • In March 2010, Legislation passed in Kentucky that officially named Bowling Green the "Birthplace of Newgrass" and Sam Bush the "Father of Newgrass." The Resolution, sponsored by RepresentativeJim DeCesare,passed the Kentucky Senate 37-0 on March 25. It passed the House on March 3, 99–0.[11]
  • Sam Bush was the subject of the 2015 documentary Revival: The Sam Bush Story[1],which features commentary from Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Bela Fleck, David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, and The Avett Brothers, among others. Directed by Wayne Franklin and Kris Wheeler, the film was shown at various independent film festivals throughout 2015.
  • Bush was inducted into theInternational Bluegrass Music Hall of Famein 2020 as a member ofNew Grass Revival.He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the second time in 2023 for his solo career, making him the sixth performer to have been inducted twice.[12]

Grammy Awards

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TheGrammy Awardsare awarded annually by theNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.Bush has won 3 awards from 14 nominations.[13]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987 "Seven By Seven" Best Country Instrumental Performance Nominated
1990 "Big Foot" Nominated
1993 "Scotland" Nominated
At the RymanwithEmmylou Harris Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Won
1997 "The Sinister Minister" Best Pop Instrumental Performance Won
1999 "Reuben's Train" Best Country Instrumental Performance Nominated
Home Sweet HomewithDocandMerle Watson Best Bluegrass Album Nominated
2000 Bluegrass Mandolin ExtravaganzawithDavid Grisman,Ricky Skaggs,Jesse McReynolds,andFrank Wakefield Nominated
Meyer: Short Trip Home (In the Nickn of Time; BP; Concert Duo, The Prequel, Etc.)withJoshua Bell,Mike MarshallandEdgar Meyer Best Classical Crossover Album Nominated
2002 O Brother, Where Art Thou?with various artists Album of the Year Won
2005 "Puppies N'Knapsacks" Best Country Instrumental Performance Nominated
2006 "Who's Your Uncle?" Nominated
2011 Circles Around Me Best Bluegrass Album Nominated
2024 Radio John: The Songs of John Hartford Nominated

Performance

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As well as being an accomplishedbluegrassvocalist, Bush also is an accomplished instrumentalist on mandolin andfiddlewinning title of National Fiddle champion at fifteen years of age. He was a founding member of theNew Grass Revivaland has been called a modern-dayBill Monroe,or as Sam would tell..

..if Bill was the father of bluegrass then I could be the mother because Monroe would say: 'here comes that mother now!'

Sam, affectionately "Sammy", or "Mr. Entertainment", also recalls meeting Mr. Monroe as a young teen. After demonstrating his mandolin technique Monroe offered the advice: "stick to the fiddle".

With Byron House, March 27, 2007.

Sam is one of the main attractions at the annualTelluride Bluegrass FestivalinTelluride, Coloradoand plays the eight p.m. set on Saturday night as well as many guest appearances throughout the weekend. He is affectionately known as "The King of Telluride" for his perennial appearances there (andEmmylou Harristhe "Queen of Telluride" ). Sam did tour with Harris' band, The Nash Ramblers. Additional collaborations include recording and live performances with many virtuoso musicians and artists such asDoc Watson,Linda Ronstadt,Dolly Parton,Ann Savoy,Tony Rice,Peter Rowan,Russ Barenberg,David Grisman,Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer, and importantly; "Strength in Numbers", a band consisting ofBela Fleck,Mark O'Connor,Edgar Meyer,Jerry Douglas,and Sam Bush.

Strength in Numbers was a collaboration born from jam sessions at theTelluride Bluegrass Festival.The music on their CD release entitled "The Telluride Sessions" was all instrumental and recorded live, showcasing the individual talent of each player and their ability to improvise. During recent years (2000–2008) there have been many variations of the Strength in Numbers band, also known as "Bluegrass Sessions", always including Jerry Douglas, (Dobro), and usually bassist Byron House, also fromBowling Green, KY.Other musicians include Gabe Witcher (fiddle),Bryan Sutton(guitar),Tim O'Brien(fiddle,mandolin,guitar, vocals) and Darol Anger (fiddle).

Sam Bush Band tours extensively, appearing at many small venues and large festivals such as theStrawberry Music Festival(Memorial Dayand Labor Day), Rockygrass (late July), and every spring at theAmericana Festival,MerlefestinWilkesboro, North Carolina.Sam Bush is known as one of the liveliest performers at these festivals, and makes many guest appearances with the other artists.

Discography

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Solo albums

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Year Album Chart Positions Label
US Bluegrass US Country US Heat
1977 Together Again For The First Time(w/Alan Munde) — — — Ridge Runner
1985 Late as Usual — — — Rounder
1996 Glamour & Grits — — — Sugar Hill
1998 Howlin' at the Moon — — —
2000 Ice Caps: Peaks of Telluride — — —
2003 Hold On, We're Strummin'(w/David Grisman) 7 — — Acoustic Disc
2004 King of My World 2 64 — Sugar Hill
2006 Laps in Seven 2 — —
2009 Circles Around Me 3 — 47
2016 Storyman 3 — —
2022 Radio John 2 — — Smithsonian Folkways

DVDs

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Specialty projects

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(Edgar Meyer&Joshua Bellwith Sam Bush andMike Marshall)
(w/David Grisman,Ronnie McCoury,Jesse McReynolds,Ricky Skaggs,others)

New Grass Revival

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References

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  1. ^Fabian, Shelly."Sam Bush: A King of Acoustic Music".Archived fromthe originalon February 19, 2012.RetrievedOctober 7,2008.
  2. ^Harris, Craig."Sam Bush Biography".Allmusic.RetrievedOctober 7,2008.
  3. ^Hartman, Gary S (2008)."Bluegrass Alliance".Archived fromthe originalon July 5, 2008.RetrievedOctober 7,2008.
  4. ^Nager, Larry (December 2009)."Sam Bush – Looking For That Joyful Noise".Bluegrass Unlimited.Warrenton, Virginia.ISSN0006-5137.Archived fromthe originalon March 30, 2016.RetrievedDecember 28,2009.
  5. ^ "Moody Bluegrass TWO...Much Love".Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 6,2015.
  6. ^Sam Bush to Host 22nd International Bluegrass Music AwardsInternational Bluegrass Music Association official webpage.
  7. ^"Sam Bush to Host IBMA Awards"CMT News; August 13, 2007.
  8. ^"Sam Bush Among Americana Honors & Awards' Lifetime Achievement Recepients(sic)"by Travis Tackett, Bluegrass Journal; September 14, 2009.
  9. ^"Great Mandolin Players: A list of great mandolin players in folk and bluegrass musicArchivedMarch 3, 2012, at theWayback Machine"by Kim Ruehl, About.
  10. ^RECIPIENT HISTORY – IBMA AWARDSInternational Bluegrass Music Association official webpage.
  11. ^Thomason, Andrew (March 25, 2010)."Sam Bush is named father of newgrass".Daily News; Bowling Green, Ky.RetrievedMarch 31,2010.[dead link]
  12. ^"SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2023 IBMA AWARDS NOMINEES AND BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES".July 19, 2022.
  13. ^"Sam Bush".July 22, 2023.

Further reading

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  • Bush, Sam (1999).Sam Bush Teaches Mandolin Repertoire and Technique (Listen & Learn),Hal Leonard,ISBN0-7935-9950-4.
  • Rosenberg, Neil V.(2005).Bluegrass: A History,University of Illinois Press,ISBN0-252-07245-6.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toSam Bush.
Awards
Preceded by AMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist
2009 		Not Yet Awarded
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