Bush, Sam

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SAM BUSH (See also NEW GRASS REVIVAL)

  • From Bowling Green, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville.
  • Leader of The New Grass Revival for twenty years.
  • Dubbed “the world’s greatest all-purpose mandolinist” by David Grisman.
  • Bought first mandolin at age 11. Also began playing fiddle about that time, influenced stylistically by Byron Berline and Kenny Baker.
  • As a junior in high school, joined Poor Richard’s Almanac, a band that included Wayne Stewart and Alan Munde.
  • After high school, joined The Bluegrass Alliance.
  • 1971, at age 19, formed The New Grass Revival and was the leader of that group until its breakup in the spring of 1990.
  • 1981, had cancer and was hospitalized. Surgery was successful and to date, no recurrence.
  • 1984, released first solo album Late As Usual (Rounder).
  • 1989, recorded with Jerry Douglas, Mark O’Connor, Tony Rice and Mark Schatz in a group called Strength in Numbers.
  • 1990-1994, was a member of Emmylou Harris’ band The Nash Ramblers.
  • 1995, toured with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
  • 1996, released Glamour & Grits album (Sugar Hill).
  • 1997, formed a part-time rock/blues band called “Duck Butter” with John Cowan and guitarist Kenny Lee.
  • 1998, formed The Sam Bush Band.
  • 1998, released Howlin at the Moon album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2000, released Ice Caps: Peaks of Telluride album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2002, sang the national anthem at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. He is a diehard Cardinals fan with an extensive collection of memorabilia. His dog is named “Ozzie” after the great Cardinals shortstop, Ozzie Smith.
  • 2004, released King of My World album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2007, hosted the IBMA Awards Show in Nashville.
  • 2009, released Circles Around Me album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2007, 1992, 1991, 1990, won IBMA Award for Mandolin Player of the Year.
  • 2015, a documentary film was released called “The Sam Bush Story.”
  • 2016, released Storyman album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2019, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.
  • 2023, was inducted into the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.