For decades, Grammy-winning mandolinist, singer and songwriter Sam Bush has been a pioneer in the rule-breaking, genre-spanning style called progressive bluegrass, or newgrass. He comes to Hodgson Concert Hall with his band May 16 at 7:30 p.m. for a look back at his illustrious career.
As a teen fiddler, Bush was a three-time national champion in the junior division of the National Oldtime Fiddler’s Contest. In the spring of 1970, he attended the Fiddlers Convention in Union Grove, North Carolina, and heard the New Deal String Band, taking notice of their rock-inspired brand of progressive bluegrass.
In 1971, Bush and colleagues formed New Grass Revival. Bush was the newgrass commando, incorporating a variety of genres into the repertoire. He discovered a sibling similarity with the reggae rhythms of Bob Marley and The Wailers, and, accordingly, developed an ear-turning original style of mandolin playing. The group issued five albums in their first seven years, and in 1979 became Leon Russell’s backing band.
Bush later worked with Emmylou Harris’ Nash Ramblers, then did a stint with Lyle Lovett. He took home three straight IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year awards, 1990-92 (and a fourth in 2007). In 1995, he toured with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, reigniting his penchant for improvisation. Then, finally, after a quarter-century of making music with New Grass Revival and collaborating with other bands, Sam Bush went solo. He’s released seven albums and a live DVD over the past two decades.
This performance is supported by Dianne D. Wall and Deana and Steven Jones.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Audience members can create their own series of three or more performances for 10% off. UGA Presents single tickets start at just $25 with promo code PAC25, and UGA student tickets are $10.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.
