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Eddie Bush is a nationally acclaimed guitarist, singer and songwriter who has twice charted on Billboard with “Hard to Stop a Train, and “My Kind of Beautiful. In 2012, Eddie released his 15-song disc "Calloused Hands".
| Hometown | Charleston, SC |
| Genres | Alternative Country, Southern/Blues Rock/Rockabilly |
| Band Members | Eddie Bush |
| Achievements |
» more |
| Upcoming Shows | None |
| Contact Information: |
Other
Eddie Bush sn@eddiebush.com 7819852098 |
| # Years Experience Performing Live: | 29 |
| # Live Perfomances Past Six-months: | 40 |
| Market Draw: | Charleston, SC: 501-600 |
| Venue History: | FarmAid - Mansfield, MA Newport Folk Festival - Newport, RI House of Blues - Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues - Orlando, FL Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA Performing Arts Center - Charleston, SC Moon Theater - Talahassee, FL Roxy - Atlanta, GA Living Room - New York, NY Joe's Pub - New York, NY Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA Showcase Live - Foxboro, MA Lowell Memorial Auditorium - Lowell, MA Bluebird Cafe - Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN Hard Rock Cafe - Orlando, FL Hard Rock Cafe - Nashville, TN CMA Fan Fest - Nashville, TN The Orange Peel - Asheville, SC B.R. Cohn Winery - Glen Ellen, CA |
| Opener Experience: | Keith Urban; Cheap Trick; Eddie Money; Heart; Montgomery Gentry; Sammy Hagar; Alison Krauss; Charlie Daniels; .38 Special; Jefferson Starship; Ted Nugent; REO Speedwagon; Georgia Satellites; Rick Springfield; Steve Morse; Delbert McClinton; Little River Band; Jeff Healy; Eric Johnson; Carrie Underwood; Doobie Brothers |
| Similar Artists: | Keith Urban |
| Performing Rights Society: | BMI |
| Discography: | Eat, Drink & Sing EP—2014; Calloused Hands LP—2013; Holiday Harmonies EP—2011; I C Christmas Single—2010; Last of the Good Guys [One Flew South] LP—2008; Eddie Bush LP—2005; The Thin Blue Line Single—2005; Eddie Bush - Sampler CD EP—2005; Watch and Listen (CD/DVD) LP—2004; Eddie Bush - Southern Sampler CD EP—2002; Spirit of America Single—2001; A Work in Progress LP—1999; Magic Screen LP—1996; Hands in Pocket LP—1995 |
Eddie Bush’s lifelong love for music began when he was four and he counts among his greatest musical influences The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Prince and Eddie Van Halen. Eddie has toured with renowned guitarist Eric Johnson and has shared concert bills...
Eddie Bush’s lifelong love for music began when he was four and he counts among his greatest musical influences The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Prince and Eddie Van Halen. Eddie has toured with renowned guitarist Eric Johnson and has shared concert bills with country acts Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, The Band Perry, Phil Vassar, Love & Theft and Montgomery Gentry, among others, and legends like Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Alison Krauss, Ted Nugent, Rick Springfield, Jefferson Starship, .38 Special, REO Speedwagon, Heart and the Doobie Brothers.
2001 found Eddie in the national spotlight. In the days following the tragic events of 9/11, Eddie wrote the moving anthem Spirit of America. Played throughout the United States and on U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf, Spirit of America helped renew the spirit of Americans during one of our country’s greatest times of grief. Shortly following the success of Spirit of America, Eddie appeared live on Fox Channel’s Fox & Friends as well as in our nation’s capitol in front of 30,000 police officers and President Bush, where he performed his tribute to fallen police officers The Thin Blue Line.
In 2005, Eddie’s first Billboard Hot Country single Hard to Stop a Train led him to Grammy® winning songwriter Marcus Hummon who was looking to round out a trio with singers Chris Roberts and Royal Reed. The new trio, One Flew South, was quickly signed to Decca/Universal and in 2008 debuted their first album, Last of the Good Guys, producing the Billboard Hot Country Top 40 hit My Kind of Beautiful.
In 2010, after the breakup of One Flew South, Eddie formed Eddie Bush & the Mayhem, and the band immediately began recording. Their first release, I C Christmas, received airplay on holiday playlists across America. Adding to the popularity of I C Christmas, Eddie Bush & the Mayhem recorded Holiday Harmonies in 2011, again to great response. With momentum on their side, in December 2012, the band released the 15-song disc Calloused Hands, showing they are poised to take the music world by storm. In 2013, in collaboration with Mira Winery, Eddie released the 10 song, all acoustic Eat, Drink & Sing.
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Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2019. 1st for 12 weeks.
Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2017. 1st for 3 weeks.
Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2017. 1st for 2 weeks.
Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2019. 1st for 12 weeks.
Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2017. 1st for 3 weeks.
Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2017. 1st for 2 weeks.
Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2016. 1st for 14 weeks.
Reached 1st in Best of Country chart in 2015. 1st for 2 weeks.
A cable television network is searching for the next country superstar!
Reached 17th in Best of Country chart in 2019. In the top 20 for 2 weeks.
Reached 17th in Best of Pop chart in 2019. In the top 20 for 2 weeks.
Pop Winner, July 2019
Reached 14th in Best of Pop chart in 2019. In the top 20 for 5 weeks.
Country Winner, July 2018
Country Winner, February 2018
Reached 9th in Best of Pop chart in 2017. In the top 20 for 10 weeks.
Reached 15th in Best of Pop chart in 2016. In the top 20 for 4 weeks.
Reached 3rd in Best of Country chart in 2014. In the top 20 for 33 weeks.
Reached 17th in Best of Country chart in 2013. In the top 20 for 3 weeks.
Pro Performance Video Winner, March 2012
Pro Performance Video Winner, February 2012
Pro Performance Video Winner, January 2012
Upcoming Editor Picks for the OurStage Facebook page!
Reached 11th in Best of Country chart in 2011. In the top 20 for 3 weeks.
Pro Performance Video Winner, April 2011
Country Winner, March 2011
Reached 25th in Best of Pop chart in 2017. In the top 100 for 25 weeks.
Top 10 in Instrumental, July 2019
Top 10 in Instrumental, June 2019
Top 10 in Instrumental, May 2019
Top 10 in Instrumental, February 2019
Top 10 in Instrumental, January 2019
Top 10 in Pop, January 2019
Top 10 in Country, September 2018
Top 10 in Country, August 2018
Top 10 in Singer-Songwriter, June 2018
Top 10 in Singer-Songwriter, May 2018
Top 10 in Singer-Songwriter, April 2018
Top 10 in Country, January 2018
Top 10 in Country, May 2017
Top 10 in Country, April 2017
Top 10 in Singer-Songwriter, August 2016
Top 10 in Country, April 2016
Top 10 in Country, February 2016
Top 10 in Country, January 2016
Top 10 in Country, December 2015
Top 10 in Country, November 2015
Top 10 in Americana, December 2014
Top 10 in Country, November 2014
Top 10 in Country, September 2014
Top 10 in Alternative Country, May 2014
Top 10 in Alternative Country, April 2014
Top 10 in Alternative Country, March 2014
Top 10 in Country, December 2013
Top 10 in Pro Performance Video , November 2013
Top 10 in Country, July 2013
Top 10 in Pro Performance Video , September 2012
Top 10 in Pro Performance Video , May 2011
February 2012 Judging Excellence
December 2011 Judging Excellence
November 2011 Judging Excellence
October 2011 Judging Excellence
June 2011 Judging Excellence
April 2011 Judging Excellence
March 2011 Judging Excellence
Connector
Super Connector
Top 40 in Pop, June 2019
Top 40 in Pop, May 2019
Top 40 in Instrumental, April 2019
Top 40 in Instrumental, March 2019
Top 40 in Pop, February 2019
Top 40 in Country, October 2018
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, August 2018
Top 40 in Country, June 2018
Top 40 in Americana, June 2018
Top 40 in Americana, May 2018
Top 40 in Country, April 2018
Top 40 in Americana, April 2018
Top 40 in Americana, March 2018
Top 40 in Country, March 2018
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, March 2018
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, February 2018
Top 40 in Americana, February 2018
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, December 2017
Top 40 in Country, December 2017
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, October 2017
Top 40 in Country, October 2017
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, September 2017
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, August 2017
Top 40 in Country, July 2017
Top 40 in Country, June 2017
Top 40 in Americana, April 2017
Top 40 in Country, March 2017
Top 40 in Americana, March 2017
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, February 2017
Top 40 in Americana, February 2017
Top 40 in Americana, December 2016
Top 40 in Country, December 2016
Top 40 in Country, November 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, October 2016
Top 40 in Country, October 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, September 2016
Top 40 in Americana, July 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, July 2016
Top 40 in Americana, June 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, June 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, May 2016
Top 40 in Americana, May 2016
Top 40 in Americana, April 2016
Top 40 in Country, March 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, March 2016
Top 40 in Americana, March 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, February 2016
Top 40 in Americana, February 2016
Top 40 in Americana, January 2016
Top 40 in Singer-Songwriter, January 2016
Top 40 in Americana, December 2015
Top 40 in Americana, November 2015
Top 40 in Country, October 2015
Top 40 in Americana, October 2015
Top 40 in Country, September 2015
Top 40 in Americana, September 2015
Top 40 in Country, August 2015
Top 40 in Americana, August 2015
Top 40 in Americana, January 2015
Top 40 in Country, December 2014
Top 40 in Americana, November 2014
Top 40 in Alternative Country, October 2014
Top 40 in Country, October 2014
Top 40 in Alternative Country, September 2014
Top 40 in Country, July 2014
Top 40 in Country, April 2014
Top 40 in Alternative Country, February 2014
Top 40 in Alternative Country, January 2014
Top 40 in Pro Performance Video , December 2013
Top 40 in Alternative Country, October 2013
Top 40 in Pro Performance Video , October 2013
Top 40 in Pro Performance Video , September 2013
Top 40 in Country, September 2013
Top 40 in Country, June 2013
Top 40 in Alternative Country, February 2013
Top 40 in Alternative Country, January 2013
Top 40 in Alternative Country, December 2012
Top 40 in Alternative Country, November 2012
Top 40 in Country, October 2012
Top 40 in Alternative Country, October 2012
Top 40 in Country, September 2012
Top 40 in Alternative Country, September 2012
Top 40 in Pro Performance Video , August 2012
Top 40 in Pro Performance Video , July 2012
Top 40 in Pro Performance Video , June 2012
"A Very OurStage Holiday" Playlist Competition
Top 40 in Pro Performance Video , December 2011
Top 40 in Alternative Country, November 2011
Top 40 in Alternative Country, June 2011
Top 40 in Alternative Country, May 2011
Top 40 in Country Videos, April 2011
Top 40 in Rock, January 2011
EdisonLearning Welcomes Singer Eddie Bush by EdisonLearning
Singer/songwriter Eddie Bush has a history of “paying it forward” and sharing his inspirational music with the world during times of need. In 2001, he wrote the moving anthem “Spirit of America”...
Singer/songwriter Eddie Bush has a history of “paying it forward” and sharing his inspirational music with the world during times of need. In 2001, he wrote the moving anthem “Spirit of America”...
Bronx's Harriet Tubman School by Peter Milosheff
Giving back to the schools and communities is the focus of a new volunteer program to help the students of the Harriet Tubman School in Bronx achieve and instill excitement about attending college....
Giving back to the schools and communities is the focus of a new volunteer program to help the students of the Harriet Tubman School in Bronx achieve and instill excitement about attending college....
EdisonLearning Welcomes Singer Eddie Bush by EdisonLearning
Singer/songwriter Eddie Bush has a history of “paying it forward” and sharing his inspirational music with the world during times of need. In 2001, he wrote the moving anthem “Spirit of America” one week after the tragedy of 9/11. The song was a hit across Clear Channel Radio. Based on the success of “Spirit of America,” the local police department in his hometown of Charleston, S.C., asked Eddie to write a song for them. He was invited to perform that song, “The Thin Blue Line,” at The National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial, in Washington, D.C. in front of President Bush and 30,000 police officers! After meeting EdisonLearning CEO Jeff Wahl, Eddie has written a song inspired by our 8 Core Values – 1) Wisdom, 2) Justice, 3) Courage, 4) Compassion, 5) Hope, 6) Respect, 7) Responsibility and 8) Integrity. He’ll perform his song, “The Power of You” at three Peoria schools April 22-23. Be sure to check out his song and share your thoughts!
Singer/songwriter Eddie Bush has a history of “paying it forward” and sharing his inspirational music with the world during times of need. In 2001, he wrote the moving anthem “Spirit of America” one week after the tragedy of 9/11. The song was a hit across Clear Channel Radio. Based on the success of “Spirit of America,” the local police department in his hometown of Charleston, S.C., asked Eddie to write a song for them. He was invited to perform that song, “The Thin Blue Line,” at The National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial, in Washington, D.C. in front of President Bush and 30,000 police officers! After meeting EdisonLearning CEO Jeff Wahl, Eddie has written a song inspired by our 8 Core Values – 1) Wisdom, 2) Justice, 3) Courage, 4) Compassion, 5) Hope, 6) Respect, 7) Responsibility and 8) Integrity. He’ll perform his song, “The Power of You” at three Peoria schools April 22-23. Be sure to check out his song and share your thoughts!
Bronx's Harriet Tubman School by Peter Milosheff
Giving back to the schools and communities is the focus of a new volunteer program to help the students of the Harriet Tubman School in Bronx achieve and instill excitement about attending college. The program was announced at a special assembly of the entire student body and staff of Harriet Tubman on December 18. Principal Cleveland Person and Jeff Wahl, President and CEO of EdisonLearning, made the announcement. The Harriet Tubman Charter School is one of EdisonLearning’s 130 partnership schools, located in 25 states. The students were entertained by singer/songwriter Eddie Bush, who wrote “The Power of Youth,” which is based on EdisonLearning’s eight core values. Mr. Bush is a passionate supporter of education, and performs for students all over the country to increase their love and appreciation of music. His 9/11 anthem “The Spirit of America” was played all over the country in the weeks following 9/11, including Z100 in New York. All monies from sales of the song went directly to disaster relief. He also performed his “Thin Blue Line” before President George W. Bush and 30,000 police officers.
Giving back to the schools and communities is the focus of a new volunteer program to help the students of the Harriet Tubman School in Bronx achieve and instill excitement about attending college. The program was announced at a special assembly of the entire student body and staff of Harriet Tubman on December 18. Principal Cleveland Person and Jeff Wahl, President and CEO of EdisonLearning, made the announcement. The Harriet Tubman Charter School is one of EdisonLearning’s 130 partnership schools, located in 25 states. The students were entertained by singer/songwriter Eddie Bush, who wrote “The Power of Youth,” which is based on EdisonLearning’s eight core values. Mr. Bush is a passionate supporter of education, and performs for students all over the country to increase their love and appreciation of music. His 9/11 anthem “The Spirit of America” was played all over the country in the weeks following 9/11, including Z100 in New York. All monies from sales of the song went directly to disaster relief. He also performed his “Thin Blue Line” before President George W. Bush and 30,000 police officers.
Provost Academy Back-to-School Bash w/Eddie Bush by Provost Academy
We are very excited about our upcoming Back-to-School Bash," said Dr. Darrell Johnson, executive director of Provost Academy South Carolina. "This family friendly event is the perfect opportunity for students to come out and celebrate the pending new year. We have many exciting activities planned, especially the live performance from the very talented Eddie Bush. We look forward to a fun event.
We are very excited about our upcoming Back-to-School Bash," said Dr. Darrell Johnson, executive director of Provost Academy South Carolina. "This family friendly event is the perfect opportunity for students to come out and celebrate the pending new year. We have many exciting activities planned, especially the live performance from the very talented Eddie Bush. We look forward to a fun event.
Eddie Bush to perform @ Wine & Art Under the Pines by Summerville Journal Scene
photo provided Eddie Bush photo provided On Nov. 14 the Arts Business Civic Coalition will host its inaugural Wine & Art Under the Pines event to support the creation of a local civic center. The event will be headlined by Eddie Bush. Bush, a Summerville resident and a passionate supporter of the arts, education and the spirit of community, said, “I am very excited to participate in this event in support of a civic center in Summerville. As a Summerville resident, I recognize the wonderful entertainment, educational, and business-related opportunities that would arise due to its existence. The Woodlands is the perfect setting for this event, and I'm really looking forward to it.” Eddie Bush’s lifelong love for music began when he picked up his first guitar at age four. With early influences of The Beatles, Elvis, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen, Eddie committed himself to becoming a great guitar player. Touring with renowned guitarist Eric Johnson and opening for artists such as Keith Urban, Ted Nugent, Heart, Sammy Hagar, Alison Krauss, Montgomery Gentry, Georgia Satellites, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money and Jefferson Starship helped prepare Eddie for the national recognition he would receive from his 9/11 anthem Spirit of America. Following that success, Eddie appeared live on Fox Channel’s Fox & Friends as well as in our nation’s capitol in front of 30,000 police officers and President Bush, where he performed his tribute to fallen police officers The Thin Blue Line. In 2006, Eddie became a member of a new trio, One Flew South, and was signed to Decca/Universal. With collaborations from award-winning songwriters JD Souther, Darrell Scott and Marcus Hummon, One Flew South debuted its first album Last of the Good Guys, producing its first Billboard Hot Country single My Kind of Beautiful. A passionate advocate of music education, in 2009, Eddie partnered with EdisonLearning and developed a curriculum focusing on the importance of songwriting and music. Eddie wrote EdisonLearning’s theme song Power of You, and travels to schools nationwide where he visits and sings with students, further encouraging their love and appreciation for music. Eddie is currently working on his 10th studio album and recently released his first holiday single I C Christmas. Tickets for this event are $35 in advance (until November 7th) and $45 thereafter, and are available by emailing tickets@ABCCsummerville.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also currently available. For a list of packages offered, please email info@ABCCsummerville.org or visit www.ABCCsummerville.org for more information. No pets or coolers will be allowed at the event. This is a rain or shine event. The Arts Business Civic Coalition of Summerville/Dorchester Co., Inc. (ABCC) is a newly formed, non-profit and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that serves as the voice of the community in the vision of a civic center for Summerville, SC. They believe that culture is vital to an organization as it enhances economic development, encourages community growth and creates a sense of cooperation among residents and businesses that are diverse in economic status, ethnicity, age and education. By nurturing collaboration among cultural, education and business groups, the ABCC seeks a future in which culture thrives and community flourishes.
photo provided Eddie Bush photo provided On Nov. 14 the Arts Business Civic Coalition will host its inaugural Wine & Art Under the Pines event to support the creation of a local civic center. The event will be headlined by Eddie Bush. Bush, a Summerville resident and a passionate supporter of the arts, education and the spirit of community, said, “I am very excited to participate in this event in support of a civic center in Summerville. As a Summerville resident, I recognize the wonderful entertainment, educational, and business-related opportunities that would arise due to its existence. The Woodlands is the perfect setting for this event, and I'm really looking forward to it.” Eddie Bush’s lifelong love for music began when he picked up his first guitar at age four. With early influences of The Beatles, Elvis, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen, Eddie committed himself to becoming a great guitar player. Touring with renowned guitarist Eric Johnson and opening for artists such as Keith Urban, Ted Nugent, Heart, Sammy Hagar, Alison Krauss, Montgomery Gentry, Georgia Satellites, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money and Jefferson Starship helped prepare Eddie for the national recognition he would receive from his 9/11 anthem Spirit of America. Following that success, Eddie appeared live on Fox Channel’s Fox & Friends as well as in our nation’s capitol in front of 30,000 police officers and President Bush, where he performed his tribute to fallen police officers The Thin Blue Line. In 2006, Eddie became a member of a new trio, One Flew South, and was signed to Decca/Universal. With collaborations from award-winning songwriters JD Souther, Darrell Scott and Marcus Hummon, One Flew South debuted its first album Last of the Good Guys, producing its first Billboard Hot Country single My Kind of Beautiful. A passionate advocate of music education, in 2009, Eddie partnered with EdisonLearning and developed a curriculum focusing on the importance of songwriting and music. Eddie wrote EdisonLearning’s theme song Power of You, and travels to schools nationwide where he visits and sings with students, further encouraging their love and appreciation for music. Eddie is currently working on his 10th studio album and recently released his first holiday single I C Christmas. Tickets for this event are $35 in advance (until November 7th) and $45 thereafter, and are available by emailing tickets@ABCCsummerville.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also currently available. For a list of packages offered, please email info@ABCCsummerville.org or visit www.ABCCsummerville.org for more information. No pets or coolers will be allowed at the event. This is a rain or shine event. The Arts Business Civic Coalition of Summerville/Dorchester Co., Inc. (ABCC) is a newly formed, non-profit and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that serves as the voice of the community in the vision of a civic center for Summerville, SC. They believe that culture is vital to an organization as it enhances economic development, encourages community growth and creates a sense of cooperation among residents and businesses that are diverse in economic status, ethnicity, age and education. By nurturing collaboration among cultural, education and business groups, the ABCC seeks a future in which culture thrives and community flourishes.
Strumming for Good Causes by Jim Tatum
Published Wednesday, May 25, 2011 4:22 PM It seems Eddie Bush is lending a helping hand in a lot of places these days. The Summerville musician, while no stranger to giving back to the community, has been busy helping several causes right here in the Lowcountry, including one very close to his heart. Thursday Bush took the stage at Red’s Icehouse, Shem Creek, to play for the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, which raises funds for a variety of causes, including Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children set up in honor of Adam Petty, Kyle and Pattie Petty’s son who was killed in 2000 while practicing in a Busch series race car at New Hampshire Speedway. The stop and ensuing party at Red’s was the next to last stop for this year’s charity ride, which started in Lake Placid, New York and ended at Amelia Island, Florida The Pettys are no strangers to the Charleston area; they have a house at Wild Dunes and consider Charleston a second home, Petty said. It was no random choice to make a stop here, he said. Petty, who among other talents plays guitar and writes songs, joined Bush onstage for a couple of tunes. “It was incredible,” Petty said. “We did a couple of my songs – we didn’t have a chance to practice them or anything, so I just told him what key they were in – he didn’t have any trouble at all with that. It was great.” Petty said he was deeply impressed with Bush as well. “He’s incredibly talented,” Petty said of Bush. “The music he played was great –right down our alley.” “I was very happy and thrilled to do this gig,” Bush said. “I’m a huge NASCAR and Kyle Petty fan – the Pettys are just good people and I was glad to do anything I could to help them.” The parallels between Bush and Petty are strong. Bush lost his younger brother, Alex, in a tragic auto accident in December 2010, a couple of days after Christmas. Since then, Bush has worked tirelessly to establish and fund a scholarship in Alex’s memory at the Charleston School of Law, where Alex was a gifted and popular student when he died. In fact, Alex Bush was an exceptional young man, Eddie said. A student at the Charleston School of Law, he was a person who not only seemed to know everybody, but was universally loved. “He was that guy – he would help anyone anytime and never think of what might be in it for him, or even if there might be any consequences,” Bush said. Because Alex was so passionate about the law, so focused on using his education to help others, and was so well regarded at the law school, Bush said he decided that would be a good place to focus positive energy. Because law school is very expensive these days – tuition at Charleston School of Law runs around $60,000 per year – Bush decided a memorial scholarship would be the best way to honor Alex. The goal is to reach $60,000 this year, and thus far, they are on track to reach it, Bush said. “It’s a truly a testament to Alex that so many people have stepped up to help,” he said. “It’s really incredible the effect and influence this young man had, the number of lives he touched in his short life.” “I think about Alex every day of my life,” Bush continued. “It’s a terrible tragedy – I lost my little brother and best friend, but this was a young man who touched the lives of so many people. So I could be a bummed out person or I can try to turn negative energy into positive. I chose the latter.” Bush will also be lending his talents to at least two other causes within the next three weeks. On May 28, Bush will play the 10th annual Lowcountry Splash, an event which has in the past benefited the Logan Rutledge Foundation. This year, Bush is teaming up with them and the Splash (to be called the Lowcountry Splash Race to ROCK) and the proceeds will be divided between the Logan Rutledge Foundation and the Alex Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund. After the Swim/Splash, Bush will perform at 10 p.m. at Wild Wings, where three items will be raffled, including a kayak/paddleboard, an iPad and a guitar. On June 2, Bush joins forces with ServiceMaster of Charleston to play a pre-game concert/tailgate party for the 5th Annual Tri-County Firefighter’s Appreciation Day at Brittlebank Park. After the concert, he’ll be driven onto the field of Joe Riley stadium to sing the National Anthem, and then will head up to the SkyBox and perform an acoustic set for ServiceMaster guests.
Published Wednesday, May 25, 2011 4:22 PM It seems Eddie Bush is lending a helping hand in a lot of places these days. The Summerville musician, while no stranger to giving back to the community, has been busy helping several causes right here in the Lowcountry, including one very close to his heart. Thursday Bush took the stage at Red’s Icehouse, Shem Creek, to play for the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, which raises funds for a variety of causes, including Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children set up in honor of Adam Petty, Kyle and Pattie Petty’s son who was killed in 2000 while practicing in a Busch series race car at New Hampshire Speedway. The stop and ensuing party at Red’s was the next to last stop for this year’s charity ride, which started in Lake Placid, New York and ended at Amelia Island, Florida The Pettys are no strangers to the Charleston area; they have a house at Wild Dunes and consider Charleston a second home, Petty said. It was no random choice to make a stop here, he said. Petty, who among other talents plays guitar and writes songs, joined Bush onstage for a couple of tunes. “It was incredible,” Petty said. “We did a couple of my songs – we didn’t have a chance to practice them or anything, so I just told him what key they were in – he didn’t have any trouble at all with that. It was great.” Petty said he was deeply impressed with Bush as well. “He’s incredibly talented,” Petty said of Bush. “The music he played was great –right down our alley.” “I was very happy and thrilled to do this gig,” Bush said. “I’m a huge NASCAR and Kyle Petty fan – the Pettys are just good people and I was glad to do anything I could to help them.” The parallels between Bush and Petty are strong. Bush lost his younger brother, Alex, in a tragic auto accident in December 2010, a couple of days after Christmas. Since then, Bush has worked tirelessly to establish and fund a scholarship in Alex’s memory at the Charleston School of Law, where Alex was a gifted and popular student when he died. In fact, Alex Bush was an exceptional young man, Eddie said. A student at the Charleston School of Law, he was a person who not only seemed to know everybody, but was universally loved. “He was that guy – he would help anyone anytime and never think of what might be in it for him, or even if there might be any consequences,” Bush said. Because Alex was so passionate about the law, so focused on using his education to help others, and was so well regarded at the law school, Bush said he decided that would be a good place to focus positive energy. Because law school is very expensive these days – tuition at Charleston School of Law runs around $60,000 per year – Bush decided a memorial scholarship would be the best way to honor Alex. The goal is to reach $60,000 this year, and thus far, they are on track to reach it, Bush said. “It’s a truly a testament to Alex that so many people have stepped up to help,” he said. “It’s really incredible the effect and influence this young man had, the number of lives he touched in his short life.” “I think about Alex every day of my life,” Bush continued. “It’s a terrible tragedy – I lost my little brother and best friend, but this was a young man who touched the lives of so many people. So I could be a bummed out person or I can try to turn negative energy into positive. I chose the latter.” Bush will also be lending his talents to at least two other causes within the next three weeks. On May 28, Bush will play the 10th annual Lowcountry Splash, an event which has in the past benefited the Logan Rutledge Foundation. This year, Bush is teaming up with them and the Splash (to be called the Lowcountry Splash Race to ROCK) and the proceeds will be divided between the Logan Rutledge Foundation and the Alex Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund. After the Swim/Splash, Bush will perform at 10 p.m. at Wild Wings, where three items will be raffled, including a kayak/paddleboard, an iPad and a guitar. On June 2, Bush joins forces with ServiceMaster of Charleston to play a pre-game concert/tailgate party for the 5th Annual Tri-County Firefighter’s Appreciation Day at Brittlebank Park. After the concert, he’ll be driven onto the field of Joe Riley stadium to sing the National Anthem, and then will head up to the SkyBox and perform an acoustic set for ServiceMaster guests.
Summerville musician striking chords across the US by Jim Tatum
Published Tuesday, March 10, 2009 1:41 PM At first glance, one might think Eddie Bush is at the top of the game — living the life many dream of, but to which few ascend. To those who just have tuned into the rootsy, soulful harmonies of One Flew South, it may seem Bush’s success is just another one of those overnight success stories -- the classic talent plus luck equals fame and fortune. To be sure, Bush has been in some enviable places, playing gigs such as the Newport Folk Festival, Farm Aid, even the CBS Early Show. With this present project, the acoustic trio One Flew South, he has written songs with such luminaries as Marcus Hummon and J.D. Souther. One Flew South has been signed with Decca Records; their debut CD, “Last of the Good Guys,” is now released. What most people probably don’t understand is that this did not happen overnight; this is the latest destination in a journey spanning more than two decades. Bush has extraordinary talent — and a drive to match. His calm, easy-going demeanor is contrasted with a deep intensity of spirit, a single-minded focus on the road ahead. Bush splits his time between his home in Summerville, the studio in Nashville, and the road. He is always working; if he’s not writing or recording he and his partners from One Flew South are touring. Most recently, they got off tour with Phil Vasser and have played shows over the past year or so with artists such as Kelli Pickler and the Gatlin Brothers. Even when he’s home, he still teaches guitar lessons. “People often are amazed at that,” Bush noted. “But the truth is, why wouldn’t I do that? I love guitar and I love teaching guitar.” Bush’s love affair for the guitar goes back literally to the vestiges of childhood memory. Most kids go through spells of wanting to be something when they grow up – a firefighter, police officer, soldier, baseball player. Bush said he always told his parents he wanted to be a rock star. They, like most parents, thought it was just another fad, he said. “I spent every moment with a guitar,” he said. “I loved it and I just wanted to be great. When I heard Hendrix for the first time, I wanted to be as good as Jimi Hendrix.” He played his first paying gig when he was sixteen; he would form bands, play many, many gigs, and write and record for the better part of the next two decades. Then, in the late 1990s, Bush said he had something of an epiphany. One of his idols and influences, rock guitar legend Eric Johnson, had taken an interest in Bush, asking Bush to send him a demo tape of just him playing and singing. Bush did; Johnson then invited Bush to open several shows for him – but as an acoustic solo act. Bush, who had spent the last decade and a half being the wildly energetic front man/lead guitarist for his own band, found this caveat to be a little odd, yet ultimately very liberating. “I finally asked him one night why he only wanted me to play acoustic,” Bush said. “He explained that ultimately, he felt like I was hiding behind all the orchestration. He actually compared me to Paul Rogers, but with a bigger range.” Bush soon found himself writing material just for those type shows. And he said he made a discovery – that Johnson, by insisting he do these shows solo acoustic, helped Bush really find his voice, he said. “What it did for me was make me realize that I was taking the fact that I can sing for granted,” he said. “It was almost like I found my voice by being pushed into a corner. I wanted to be that guy who can command a theater – and much to my surprise, I found I could.” “Because of this, it also spurred me to do lots of theater shows – I was able to say yes to things that, had I not played with Eric, I might have said no to them,” he added. Like anyone who wishes to make it in the music business, Bush spent years looking for the right break. He had his ups and his downs, his frustrations and celebrations. Eric Johnson’s interest in his career was an important and much appreciated break, he said. A change of direction from rock guitar hero to acoustic singer/songwriter was another important defining moment. But it was a trip to Nashville in 2004 for a songwriting showcase that provided Bush with the opportunity that has turned into One Flew South. “I met Marcus Hummon through a friend of a friend,” Bush said. “He is one of Nashville’s very finest songwriters – he’s responsible for number one hits for Tim McGraw, the Dixie Chicks, and Rascal Flatts, to name a few.” Hummon told Bush he knew two musicians, Royal Reed and Chris Roberts who had been trying to put together a vocal trio. “The one thing I have learned over the years is to be open-minded to all opportunities,” Bush said. “So that’s what I did. On August 7, 2005, I met with Royal and Chris for the first time.” They spent a little while trying to figure out something they could play and sing together; one of them launched into an old song by Firefall, “Just Remember I Love You.” “We hit those harmony parts – and I just couldn’t believe it,” Bush said. “It was absolutely amazing.” They knew they had something special, he said, and the accomplishments of the past couple of years stands testament to it. “When you listen, it’s a total amalgamation – there are the obvious references to influences, but there’s also a new edginess,” Bush said. “That, to me, is the whole point of music – the expression of it and the individuality of it.” The group started writing together and trying to find a record label to sign them; ultimately, Decca Records offered them a contract. Thus far, the union seems to be a good one, Bush said, The group’s single, “My Kind of Beautiful,” from their debut CD, Last of the Good Guys,” reached #46 and stayed on the Billboard chart for more than 19 weeks. Most important, the group’s management team brought them together with another important figure of American songwriting: J.D. Souther, who has written major hits for such bands as Poco and the Eagles. “He had written a song called “It’s Good,” and went with us to the studio when we recorded it,” Bush said. “He was so taken by the group that he decided he was going to write with us.” It was during one of those studio sessions that Bush came up with a guitar lick he found sufficiently intriguing, and decided to play it for Souther, who liked it enough to sit down and write lyrics for it. The result was “Let The Day Carry You.” “That is one of my favorite songs I have ever written,” Bush said. “I am so proud to see my name next to J.D.’s on that.” A second Bush-penned tune, “She’s a Gift,” written for Bush’s wife, also seems to have struck a deep chord with Souther. “He told me he was listening to it, and although he didn’t know it right then, his wife was listening to it as well,” Bush said. Souther told Bush that when he turned around, his wife was standing there crying. she was so taken with the song, he said. “He ended up re-writing the verses,” Bush said. While Bush is certainly enjoying a new level of success in a career that has literally ascended to the international level, he says he cannot underscore what an arduous journey it has been. “It’s hard, hard work,” he said. “It has taken a level of perseverance that without question has been a challenge to me. I wish I had known more about the business a long time ago. Always remember, as things change, you change or you disappear. I am still out here every day doing everything I can to find a bigger stage for my music.” “I’m proud of what I do and I want to share it,” he added. “I feel like my music can matter. It’s never easy, but if it were, everyone would do it.”
Published Tuesday, March 10, 2009 1:41 PM At first glance, one might think Eddie Bush is at the top of the game — living the life many dream of, but to which few ascend. To those who just have tuned into the rootsy, soulful harmonies of One Flew South, it may seem Bush’s success is just another one of those overnight success stories -- the classic talent plus luck equals fame and fortune. To be sure, Bush has been in some enviable places, playing gigs such as the Newport Folk Festival, Farm Aid, even the CBS Early Show. With this present project, the acoustic trio One Flew South, he has written songs with such luminaries as Marcus Hummon and J.D. Souther. One Flew South has been signed with Decca Records; their debut CD, “Last of the Good Guys,” is now released. What most people probably don’t understand is that this did not happen overnight; this is the latest destination in a journey spanning more than two decades. Bush has extraordinary talent — and a drive to match. His calm, easy-going demeanor is contrasted with a deep intensity of spirit, a single-minded focus on the road ahead. Bush splits his time between his home in Summerville, the studio in Nashville, and the road. He is always working; if he’s not writing or recording he and his partners from One Flew South are touring. Most recently, they got off tour with Phil Vasser and have played shows over the past year or so with artists such as Kelli Pickler and the Gatlin Brothers. Even when he’s home, he still teaches guitar lessons. “People often are amazed at that,” Bush noted. “But the truth is, why wouldn’t I do that? I love guitar and I love teaching guitar.” Bush’s love affair for the guitar goes back literally to the vestiges of childhood memory. Most kids go through spells of wanting to be something when they grow up – a firefighter, police officer, soldier, baseball player. Bush said he always told his parents he wanted to be a rock star. They, like most parents, thought it was just another fad, he said. “I spent every moment with a guitar,” he said. “I loved it and I just wanted to be great. When I heard Hendrix for the first time, I wanted to be as good as Jimi Hendrix.” He played his first paying gig when he was sixteen; he would form bands, play many, many gigs, and write and record for the better part of the next two decades. Then, in the late 1990s, Bush said he had something of an epiphany. One of his idols and influences, rock guitar legend Eric Johnson, had taken an interest in Bush, asking Bush to send him a demo tape of just him playing and singing. Bush did; Johnson then invited Bush to open several shows for him – but as an acoustic solo act. Bush, who had spent the last decade and a half being the wildly energetic front man/lead guitarist for his own band, found this caveat to be a little odd, yet ultimately very liberating. “I finally asked him one night why he only wanted me to play acoustic,” Bush said. “He explained that ultimately, he felt like I was hiding behind all the orchestration. He actually compared me to Paul Rogers, but with a bigger range.” Bush soon found himself writing material just for those type shows. And he said he made a discovery – that Johnson, by insisting he do these shows solo acoustic, helped Bush really find his voice, he said. “What it did for me was make me realize that I was taking the fact that I can sing for granted,” he said. “It was almost like I found my voice by being pushed into a corner. I wanted to be that guy who can command a theater – and much to my surprise, I found I could.” “Because of this, it also spurred me to do lots of theater shows – I was able to say yes to things that, had I not played with Eric, I might have said no to them,” he added. Like anyone who wishes to make it in the music business, Bush spent years looking for the right break. He had his ups and his downs, his frustrations and celebrations. Eric Johnson’s interest in his career was an important and much appreciated break, he said. A change of direction from rock guitar hero to acoustic singer/songwriter was another important defining moment. But it was a trip to Nashville in 2004 for a songwriting showcase that provided Bush with the opportunity that has turned into One Flew South. “I met Marcus Hummon through a friend of a friend,” Bush said. “He is one of Nashville’s very finest songwriters – he’s responsible for number one hits for Tim McGraw, the Dixie Chicks, and Rascal Flatts, to name a few.” Hummon told Bush he knew two musicians, Royal Reed and Chris Roberts who had been trying to put together a vocal trio. “The one thing I have learned over the years is to be open-minded to all opportunities,” Bush said. “So that’s what I did. On August 7, 2005, I met with Royal and Chris for the first time.” They spent a little while trying to figure out something they could play and sing together; one of them launched into an old song by Firefall, “Just Remember I Love You.” “We hit those harmony parts – and I just couldn’t believe it,” Bush said. “It was absolutely amazing.” They knew they had something special, he said, and the accomplishments of the past couple of years stands testament to it. “When you listen, it’s a total amalgamation – there are the obvious references to influences, but there’s also a new edginess,” Bush said. “That, to me, is the whole point of music – the expression of it and the individuality of it.” The group started writing together and trying to find a record label to sign them; ultimately, Decca Records offered them a contract. Thus far, the union seems to be a good one, Bush said, The group’s single, “My Kind of Beautiful,” from their debut CD, Last of the Good Guys,” reached #46 and stayed on the Billboard chart for more than 19 weeks. Most important, the group’s management team brought them together with another important figure of American songwriting: J.D. Souther, who has written major hits for such bands as Poco and the Eagles. “He had written a song called “It’s Good,” and went with us to the studio when we recorded it,” Bush said. “He was so taken by the group that he decided he was going to write with us.” It was during one of those studio sessions that Bush came up with a guitar lick he found sufficiently intriguing, and decided to play it for Souther, who liked it enough to sit down and write lyrics for it. The result was “Let The Day Carry You.” “That is one of my favorite songs I have ever written,” Bush said. “I am so proud to see my name next to J.D.’s on that.” A second Bush-penned tune, “She’s a Gift,” written for Bush’s wife, also seems to have struck a deep chord with Souther. “He told me he was listening to it, and although he didn’t know it right then, his wife was listening to it as well,” Bush said. Souther told Bush that when he turned around, his wife was standing there crying. she was so taken with the song, he said. “He ended up re-writing the verses,” Bush said. While Bush is certainly enjoying a new level of success in a career that has literally ascended to the international level, he says he cannot underscore what an arduous journey it has been. “It’s hard, hard work,” he said. “It has taken a level of perseverance that without question has been a challenge to me. I wish I had known more about the business a long time ago. Always remember, as things change, you change or you disappear. I am still out here every day doing everything I can to find a bigger stage for my music.” “I’m proud of what I do and I want to share it,” he added. “I feel like my music can matter. It’s never easy, but if it were, everyone would do it.”
Local musician partners w/national education group by Jim Tatum
Eddie Bush is taking the music back to school. The accomplished singer/songwriter/guitarist has done many things through his career, as a writer, a composer, a performer, a teacher. He has performed in places most people only dream of with artists we see in record stores and on television. He has recorded a large body of work and most recently was signed to a major record label, Decca. Yet through all that, he has always made the time to share his knowledge as a teacher and he admits that the teaching aspect is probably the most rewarding aspect of it all. With that in mind, he is taking the whole package a step farther. Bush recently partnered with Edison Learning, a company that specializes in working with schools and school districts to help enhance and improve their students’ educational experiences. This takes shape in a variety of ways, from course offerings to staff enhancements, and Edison is working with schools and systems literally throughout the world, Bush said. Bush got involved recently when Jeff Wahl, a Charleston man involved with Edison and familiar with Bush asked him to come play for an event held in Charleston. Bush apparently made a deep impression; he was asked to write a song for the students of Edison learning. The result was something called “The Power of You,” which has become Edison’s theme song, essentially. “I wrote it with their core principles in mind – the values Edison strives to instill in its students,” he said. “So far, it has been completely embraced.” From that first event, Bush was asked to work with Edison Learning to establish a songwriting curriculum. Right now, he is conducting these programs in person but hopes to develop an online curriculum as well. In the process was to put together a tour of schools affiliated with Edison Learning across the country for Bush to visit. The idea was not only to expose children to styles of music and artists with whom they might not be familiar but also to encourage their own creativity and sense of self-expression. So far, so good. In fact, so far, so great, Bush said. He has conducted several programs in schools across the country, most recently in three schools in Peoria, Illinois, and will continue for some time, he said. Each experience is different, but each yields wonderful rewards, he said. Most recently, he conducted a music enrichment program for the Harriet Tubman School in New York City. Harriet Tubman is located in a poor section of the Bronx; 60 percent of its students live in a home situation in which at least one parent is incarcerated. One would think that such conditions would not be terribly conducive to learning and one would be wrong, Bush noted. “Those kids were great – they really got into it,” he said. “They had so many questions – thoughtful, intelligent, probing questions. They got into artists they had never heard before. They had such positive energy.” “That was one of the best experiences of my life,” he added. Bush’s approach is fairly simple – he teaches them the basics of making melody, then encourages them to write down their feelings and try to incorporate it into the melody they create. The results, he says, are nothing short of astounding. “It’s amazing what kids write,” Bush reflected. “A lot of times people just don’t give them credit. Yet I’ve watched them come up with some truly brilliant stuff.” “You know, music is a language, and to help a child learn to speak it is incredibly rewarding. Kids have such amazing energy and music is such a positive place to invest that energy,” he added. Another reason for undertaking this project, in addition to everything else he does – performing, writing, recording, teaching – is the fact that in tough economic times, arts programs are usually the first to face budget cuts. This is a situation that Bush finds not only unfair to children but detrimental to their whole education experience. “I have a very serious commitment to these guys,” he said. “The ability of self expression is a beautiful thing to share with someone.”
Eddie Bush is taking the music back to school. The accomplished singer/songwriter/guitarist has done many things through his career, as a writer, a composer, a performer, a teacher. He has performed in places most people only dream of with artists we see in record stores and on television. He has recorded a large body of work and most recently was signed to a major record label, Decca. Yet through all that, he has always made the time to share his knowledge as a teacher and he admits that the teaching aspect is probably the most rewarding aspect of it all. With that in mind, he is taking the whole package a step farther. Bush recently partnered with Edison Learning, a company that specializes in working with schools and school districts to help enhance and improve their students’ educational experiences. This takes shape in a variety of ways, from course offerings to staff enhancements, and Edison is working with schools and systems literally throughout the world, Bush said. Bush got involved recently when Jeff Wahl, a Charleston man involved with Edison and familiar with Bush asked him to come play for an event held in Charleston. Bush apparently made a deep impression; he was asked to write a song for the students of Edison learning. The result was something called “The Power of You,” which has become Edison’s theme song, essentially. “I wrote it with their core principles in mind – the values Edison strives to instill in its students,” he said. “So far, it has been completely embraced.” From that first event, Bush was asked to work with Edison Learning to establish a songwriting curriculum. Right now, he is conducting these programs in person but hopes to develop an online curriculum as well. In the process was to put together a tour of schools affiliated with Edison Learning across the country for Bush to visit. The idea was not only to expose children to styles of music and artists with whom they might not be familiar but also to encourage their own creativity and sense of self-expression. So far, so good. In fact, so far, so great, Bush said. He has conducted several programs in schools across the country, most recently in three schools in Peoria, Illinois, and will continue for some time, he said. Each experience is different, but each yields wonderful rewards, he said. Most recently, he conducted a music enrichment program for the Harriet Tubman School in New York City. Harriet Tubman is located in a poor section of the Bronx; 60 percent of its students live in a home situation in which at least one parent is incarcerated. One would think that such conditions would not be terribly conducive to learning and one would be wrong, Bush noted. “Those kids were great – they really got into it,” he said. “They had so many questions – thoughtful, intelligent, probing questions. They got into artists they had never heard before. They had such positive energy.” “That was one of the best experiences of my life,” he added. Bush’s approach is fairly simple – he teaches them the basics of making melody, then encourages them to write down their feelings and try to incorporate it into the melody they create. The results, he says, are nothing short of astounding. “It’s amazing what kids write,” Bush reflected. “A lot of times people just don’t give them credit. Yet I’ve watched them come up with some truly brilliant stuff.” “You know, music is a language, and to help a child learn to speak it is incredibly rewarding. Kids have such amazing energy and music is such a positive place to invest that energy,” he added. Another reason for undertaking this project, in addition to everything else he does – performing, writing, recording, teaching – is the fact that in tough economic times, arts programs are usually the first to face budget cuts. This is a situation that Bush finds not only unfair to children but detrimental to their whole education experience. “I have a very serious commitment to these guys,” he said. “The ability of self expression is a beautiful thing to share with someone.”
Eddie Bush has seen a thing or two by Jared Booth, Charleston City Paper
Eddie Bush has been playing music in Charleston for 30 years. Through a career that's taken him all over the country as a solo performer and as a member of One Flew South, Chucktown has remained his home base. His first post-One Flew South album, Shared Time, is set for a summer release, and his first single, "Calloused Hands," is already getting local radio play. We talked with him about his musical career, which has put him in the national spotlight more than a few times. CP: Shared Time is your first since full album since One Flew South's Last of the Good Guys in 2008. When can we expect it? EB: I started on it almost immediately after One Flew South officially called it quits a little over a year ago. I've been working with a guy named Dave Matthews, who's a producer and engineer in Nashville. We're taking our time finishing it, wrapping it up, and making sure we do it the right way. We've got to make sure we get everything in place to give us a chance to truly support it. CP: Early in your career, you were a guitar guy and a singer-songwriter, and then made a transition to country. What made you move in that direction? EB: I had an opportunity to do a show with Keith Urban. I didn't really know him, but I got put on the bill, and it was like watching Bon Jovi but with a mandolin and fiddle in the band. And I thought if that's what's happening in Nashville, then I've got to try that. I was trying to get a major label deal when I met [Nashville songwriter] Marcus Hummon, and he was putting a three-part group together. I met the other guys, Chris Roberts and Royal Reed, a week later in Nashville and the first time we sang together it was bad ass, it just clicked. CP: Another one of your brushes with national recognition was after 9/11, when your song "Spirit of America" became an instant sensation. What was that like? EB: It was flattering, and it was weird. I wrote "Spirit of America" six days after it happened, and that whole thing was just completely fluky. When I wrote that song, I had no intention of ever actually playing it for anybody. I just had to write it because it was all over the TV, that kind of imagery and feeling. CP: And is that what led to you writing the policeman's anthem "The Thin Blue Line?" EB: A lieutenant came to me and said, "What do you think about writing a song for us as a fundraising tool?" I said, "I'd be honored to do that, but I don't know anything about what it's like to be a police officer." So I just hung out with them a lot and wrote "The Thin Blue Line." I was really nervous playing it for them, but they loved it. CP: That's great that it started from something genuine. I like that kind of charity. EB: I feel like if I can make music and it can help somebody, then that's the best. The Omar Shrine Temple in Charleston asked if I wanted to participate in a project. I raised money through sponsors to make "Holiday Harmonies," which featured my Christmas song "I C Christmas," and I gave money from that to Shriners. CP: It seems charity has become something very important to you in your career. EB: Throughout the length of my musical run, a lot of people have helped me, whether it's investing in me so I could put CDs out — people coming out of nowhere to put shows on, to get endorsements with companies, to get opening slots, whatever. So it's a complete circle to try to help people.
Eddie Bush has been playing music in Charleston for 30 years. Through a career that's taken him all over the country as a solo performer and as a member of One Flew South, Chucktown has remained his home base. His first post-One Flew South album, Shared Time, is set for a summer release, and his first single, "Calloused Hands," is already getting local radio play. We talked with him about his musical career, which has put him in the national spotlight more than a few times. CP: Shared Time is your first since full album since One Flew South's Last of the Good Guys in 2008. When can we expect it? EB: I started on it almost immediately after One Flew South officially called it quits a little over a year ago. I've been working with a guy named Dave Matthews, who's a producer and engineer in Nashville. We're taking our time finishing it, wrapping it up, and making sure we do it the right way. We've got to make sure we get everything in place to give us a chance to truly support it. CP: Early in your career, you were a guitar guy and a singer-songwriter, and then made a transition to country. What made you move in that direction? EB: I had an opportunity to do a show with Keith Urban. I didn't really know him, but I got put on the bill, and it was like watching Bon Jovi but with a mandolin and fiddle in the band. And I thought if that's what's happening in Nashville, then I've got to try that. I was trying to get a major label deal when I met [Nashville songwriter] Marcus Hummon, and he was putting a three-part group together. I met the other guys, Chris Roberts and Royal Reed, a week later in Nashville and the first time we sang together it was bad ass, it just clicked. CP: Another one of your brushes with national recognition was after 9/11, when your song "Spirit of America" became an instant sensation. What was that like? EB: It was flattering, and it was weird. I wrote "Spirit of America" six days after it happened, and that whole thing was just completely fluky. When I wrote that song, I had no intention of ever actually playing it for anybody. I just had to write it because it was all over the TV, that kind of imagery and feeling. CP: And is that what led to you writing the policeman's anthem "The Thin Blue Line?" EB: A lieutenant came to me and said, "What do you think about writing a song for us as a fundraising tool?" I said, "I'd be honored to do that, but I don't know anything about what it's like to be a police officer." So I just hung out with them a lot and wrote "The Thin Blue Line." I was really nervous playing it for them, but they loved it. CP: That's great that it started from something genuine. I like that kind of charity. EB: I feel like if I can make music and it can help somebody, then that's the best. The Omar Shrine Temple in Charleston asked if I wanted to participate in a project. I raised money through sponsors to make "Holiday Harmonies," which featured my Christmas song "I C Christmas," and I gave money from that to Shriners. CP: It seems charity has become something very important to you in your career. EB: Throughout the length of my musical run, a lot of people have helped me, whether it's investing in me so I could put CDs out — people coming out of nowhere to put shows on, to get endorsements with companies, to get opening slots, whatever. So it's a complete circle to try to help people.
Strumming for Good Causes by Jim Tatum, Summerville Journal Scene
It seems Eddie Bush is lending a helping hand in a lot of places these days. The Summerville musician, while no stranger to giving back to the community, has been busy helping several causes right here in the Lowcountry, including one very close to his heart. Thursday Bush took the stage at Red’s Icehouse, Shem Creek, to play for the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, which raises funds for a variety of causes, including Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children set up in honor of Adam Petty, Kyle and Pattie Petty’s son who was killed in 2000 while practicing in a Busch series race car at New Hampshire Speedway. The stop and ensuing party at Red’s was the next to last stop for this year’s charity ride, which started in Lake Placid, New York and ended at Amelia Island, Florida The Pettys are no strangers to the Charleston area; they have a house at Wild Dunes and consider Charleston a second home, Petty said. It was no random choice to make a stop here, he said. Petty, who among other talents plays guitar and writes songs, joined Bush onstage for a couple of tunes. “It was incredible,” Petty said. “We did a couple of my songs – we didn’t have a chance to practice them or anything, so I just told him what key they were in – he didn’t have any trouble at all with that. It was great.” Petty said he was deeply impressed with Bush as well. “He’s incredibly talented,” Petty said of Bush. “The music he played was great –right down our alley.” “I was very happy and thrilled to do this gig,” Bush said. “I’m a huge NASCAR and Kyle Petty fan – the Pettys are just good people and I was glad to do anything I could to help them.” The parallels between Bush and Petty are strong. Bush lost his younger brother, Alex, in a tragic auto accident in December 2010, a couple of days after Christmas. Since then, Bush has worked tirelessly to establish and fund a scholarship in Alex’s memory at the Charleston School of Law, where Alex was a gifted and popular student when he died. In fact, Alex Bush was an exceptional young man, Eddie said. A student at the Charleston School of Law, he was a person who not only seemed to know everybody, but was universally loved. “He was that guy – he would help anyone anytime and never think of what might be in it for him, or even if there might be any consequences,” Bush said. Because Alex was so passionate about the law, so focused on using his education to help others, and was so well regarded at the law school, Bush said he decided that would be a good place to focus positive energy. Because law school is very expensive these days – tuition at Charleston School of Law runs around $60,000 per year – Bush decided a memorial scholarship would be the best way to honor Alex. The goal is to reach $60,000 this year, and thus far, they are on track to reach it, Bush said. “It’s a truly a testament to Alex that so many people have stepped up to help,” he said. “It’s really incredible the effect and influence this young man had, the number of lives he touched in his short life. I think about Alex every day of my life,” Bush continued. “It’s a terrible tragedy – I lost my little brother and best friend, but this was a young man who touched the lives of so many people. So I could be a bummed out person or I can try to turn negative energy into positive. I chose the latter.” Bush will also be lending his talents to at least two other causes within the next three weeks. On May 28, Bush will play the 10th annual Lowcountry Splash, an event which has in the past benefited the Logan Rutledge Foundation. This year, Bush is teaming up with them and the Splash (to be called the Lowcountry Splash Race to ROCK) and the proceeds will be divided between the Logan Rutledge Foundation and the Alex Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund. After the Swim/Splash, Bush will perform at 10 p.m. at Wild Wings, where three items will be raffled, including a kayak/paddleboard, an iPad and a guitar. On June 2, Bush joins forces with ServiceMaster of Charleston to play a pre-game concert/tailgate party for the 5th Annual Tri-County Firefighter’s Appreciation Day at Brittlebank Park. After the concert, he’ll be driven onto the field of Joe Riley stadium to sing the National Anthem, and then will head up to the SkyBox and perform an acoustic set for ServiceMaster guests.
It seems Eddie Bush is lending a helping hand in a lot of places these days. The Summerville musician, while no stranger to giving back to the community, has been busy helping several causes right here in the Lowcountry, including one very close to his heart. Thursday Bush took the stage at Red’s Icehouse, Shem Creek, to play for the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, which raises funds for a variety of causes, including Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children set up in honor of Adam Petty, Kyle and Pattie Petty’s son who was killed in 2000 while practicing in a Busch series race car at New Hampshire Speedway. The stop and ensuing party at Red’s was the next to last stop for this year’s charity ride, which started in Lake Placid, New York and ended at Amelia Island, Florida The Pettys are no strangers to the Charleston area; they have a house at Wild Dunes and consider Charleston a second home, Petty said. It was no random choice to make a stop here, he said. Petty, who among other talents plays guitar and writes songs, joined Bush onstage for a couple of tunes. “It was incredible,” Petty said. “We did a couple of my songs – we didn’t have a chance to practice them or anything, so I just told him what key they were in – he didn’t have any trouble at all with that. It was great.” Petty said he was deeply impressed with Bush as well. “He’s incredibly talented,” Petty said of Bush. “The music he played was great –right down our alley.” “I was very happy and thrilled to do this gig,” Bush said. “I’m a huge NASCAR and Kyle Petty fan – the Pettys are just good people and I was glad to do anything I could to help them.” The parallels between Bush and Petty are strong. Bush lost his younger brother, Alex, in a tragic auto accident in December 2010, a couple of days after Christmas. Since then, Bush has worked tirelessly to establish and fund a scholarship in Alex’s memory at the Charleston School of Law, where Alex was a gifted and popular student when he died. In fact, Alex Bush was an exceptional young man, Eddie said. A student at the Charleston School of Law, he was a person who not only seemed to know everybody, but was universally loved. “He was that guy – he would help anyone anytime and never think of what might be in it for him, or even if there might be any consequences,” Bush said. Because Alex was so passionate about the law, so focused on using his education to help others, and was so well regarded at the law school, Bush said he decided that would be a good place to focus positive energy. Because law school is very expensive these days – tuition at Charleston School of Law runs around $60,000 per year – Bush decided a memorial scholarship would be the best way to honor Alex. The goal is to reach $60,000 this year, and thus far, they are on track to reach it, Bush said. “It’s a truly a testament to Alex that so many people have stepped up to help,” he said. “It’s really incredible the effect and influence this young man had, the number of lives he touched in his short life. I think about Alex every day of my life,” Bush continued. “It’s a terrible tragedy – I lost my little brother and best friend, but this was a young man who touched the lives of so many people. So I could be a bummed out person or I can try to turn negative energy into positive. I chose the latter.” Bush will also be lending his talents to at least two other causes within the next three weeks. On May 28, Bush will play the 10th annual Lowcountry Splash, an event which has in the past benefited the Logan Rutledge Foundation. This year, Bush is teaming up with them and the Splash (to be called the Lowcountry Splash Race to ROCK) and the proceeds will be divided between the Logan Rutledge Foundation and the Alex Bush Memorial Scholarship Fund. After the Swim/Splash, Bush will perform at 10 p.m. at Wild Wings, where three items will be raffled, including a kayak/paddleboard, an iPad and a guitar. On June 2, Bush joins forces with ServiceMaster of Charleston to play a pre-game concert/tailgate party for the 5th Annual Tri-County Firefighter’s Appreciation Day at Brittlebank Park. After the concert, he’ll be driven onto the field of Joe Riley stadium to sing the National Anthem, and then will head up to the SkyBox and perform an acoustic set for ServiceMaster guests.
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