Q&A with Sam Bush

What a week bluegrass master Sam Bush has had! He spent the weekend headlining the famed Telluride Bluegrass Festival, then taped an episode of the Jimmy Kimmel Show on Monday that aired last night. The episode was especially memorable because the show experienced a power outage! Sam Bush, playing with Dierks Bentley, played a great acoustic number.

Sam performs with Dierks again on tonight’s Craig Ferguson Show. Then…he makes his way to Birmingham for a special show this Friday night! Enjoy this Q&A with Sam Bush on the way home from Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Here’s an excerpt from our conversation with Sam.

ASC: Ok, we want to experience the Telluride Bluegrass Festival vicariously through you. What’s it like being there and performing?

SAM: It’s like getting to go back to summer camp, re-acquainting with all of your old friends, while being in one of the most beautiful spots in America!

ASC: What artists are you looking forward to seeing and/or performing with? Anybody new we should check out?

SAM: I enjoyed playing with the reunion of Peter Rowan and Crucial Country, and of course – with the Sam Bush Band – especially when we started our set with the theme from Blazing Saddles. It was fun playing with 18 South – a newly formed band out of Nashville.

ASC: Speaking of new music and artists, what has your ears perked up these days?

SAM: I really enjoy Dierks Bentley’s new record produced by Jon Randall Stewart.

ASC: What song or album on your ipod would most surprise your fans (maybe even your friends)?

SAM: A few things – John McLaughlin “Floating Point,” Best of National Lampoon Radio Hour, Marilyn Manson, and The Beatles “Love.”

ASC: It’s been several years since you’ve performance at the ASC (and you’ll be coming straight off Telluride to the ASC for your June 25 show. Hopefully we can keep the spirit of the festival going in Birmingham for you.) This time around you’re being joined by Alison Brown. I know you’re performing separate sets, but I’m guessing (hoping) we can look forward to some cross-pollination too?

SAM: I too hope for some jamming, as I love Alison, her band, and her music.

ASC: Any other teasers you can give us about the B’ham show?

SAM: Just know that we never let music in the way of a good time!

Tickets are still available for the show this Friday night! Just call 205-975-2787 or purchase them online here.