Newgrass legend Sam Bush with the LO

“He’s an incredible musician and an incredible person!” ~ Teddy Abrams

Kentucky native son, Grammy-Award winning bluegrass legend, extraordinary instrumentalist, and a hilarious storyteller and social media favorite… we are overjoyed to present a concert with Sam Bush. Recorded live on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30pm the full concert is now available on the Louisville Orchestra Virtual Edition at https://louisvilleorchestra.vhx.tv.

In case you are late to the fun of discovering the music of this free-wheeling master musician, Sam Bush is credited with creating the upsurge of popularity for bluegrass music that started in the 1980s and has made Bush one of the key influencers of today’s favorite Americana music. Growing up on traditional bluegrass music in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the young Sam Bush blazed a new path to become a mandolin virtuoso in addition to the wagonload of other instruments he mastered (fiddle, guitar, and banjo). He and his music have led the way for groups like Punch Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Nickel Creek.

Bush was onstage at the Grand Ole Opry at age 16 in a surprise debut with Country music star Roy Acuff.  When offered a spot in Acuff’s touring band, Bush decided instead to move to Louisville and play “as hard as he could” in a bluegrass bar band that launched his leadership in the “New Grass” musical style. “Nobody loves Bill Monroe more than me,” says Bush. So, when his band “New Grass Revival” were building their signature sound, Bush leaned into the “chop and sweep” style of mandolin playing that characterized Bill Monroe’s playing and delighted the young bluegrass musicians. New Grass Revival was different from other young bluegrass groups because they allowed influences of jazz, rock ‘n roll, and blues.

Never before had bluegrass fans seen the likes of this hippie virtuoso who broke all the rules while honoring the deepest traditions of his music. Please join us for an evening of bluegrass and orchestra.

Concert Program
Sam BUSH:  The Old North Woods
Sam BUSH:  Eight More Miles to Louisville 
SAM BUSH: The Mahavishnu Mountain Boys 
Sam BUSH:  Circles Around Me 
Sam BUSH:  Revival 
Sam BUSH:  Puppies N’ Knapsacks
Sam BUSH:  Gold Heart Locket
Bill MONROE:  I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky
       Sam Bush, vocals, mandolin and fiddle 
       Stephen Mougin, vocals and guitar

Aaron COPLAND:  Appalachian Spring Suite 

(Sam Bush and Bill Monroe selections arranged for orchestra by Gabriel Globus-Hoenich & Nathan Farrington)