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“Radio John” was written by Bush and bluegrass songwriter John Pennell as a heartfelt tribute to his hero and mentor, John Hartford. It’s the only original track on the album, as the rest of the LP digs deep into the American roots music eccentric’s vast catalog (it even includes some songs that Sam played with Hartford himself in the 70s). “Radio John” is the grand finale to the album as it’s the only track to feature Bush’s full band. Bush plays every instrument on all the others including acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, electric bass, and fiddle.
Sam Bush’s love of the great John Hartford began way back on a Saturday afternoon in 1967 when he first saw Hartford play the three-finger banjo on The Wilburn Brothers Show. Two years later, he got the chance to see him in concert for the first time in Bush’s hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Just a few short years after that, Bush actually began opening up shows for Hartford, and sometimes even joining him in performing onstage! And as they say, the rest is history.
Listen to “Radio John” HERE
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