Eddie Bush Releases 17th Solo Album

Eddie Bush will take the Windjammer stage for the first time in over ten years as part of his new CD release tour. "The Cage I Was In" is a 24 song CD of originals. It is his 17th solo release.

It's a coming home of sorts. He hasn't played there since 2009 when he belonged to the trio "One Flew South" with Chris Roberts and Royal Reed. They were quickly signed by Decca/Universal in New York and became nationally known.

The concert at the Windjammer on Jan. 27 will be a complete three hour show. He'll play everything from his older songs from his catalog to Prince covers and of course the music from "The Cage I Was In."

The CD itself has everything from rock to jazz to acoustic pieces.

"The Windjammer is a legendary listening room and I have nothing but respect for it," said Bush. So to return to it after all of these years is exciting for Bush.

He said his act has real energy thus the three hour set. Taking a break would kill that feel.

At the Album Release Concert at the Charleston Music Hall, he had almost 500 people in attendance to the free concert.

It was his way of thanking his fans, law enforcement, fire, EMS and sponsors for their service and support.

Eddie Bush has been hooked on playing the guitar since age 4 when his father traded a set of golf clubs for an old acoustic.

Despite his national success, he has no plans to lay down stakes anywhere but the Lowcountry.

He's a local guitar teacher and considers himself blessed to teach people of all ages five days a week. "I get to play guitar all day," he said.

And in between all of that, he's writing music.

"The 24 songs on 'The Cage I Was In' was not an act of indulgence. The CD was meant to have 24 songs. Music is my language. I live my life entirely through it. It is personal and intimate and you may get to know me better by listening to my music everyday than from talking to me," he said. "So when someone asked me why make a CD with 24 songs on it, I said, 'why not'?"

The songs on the CD were written during a period of true reflection, he explained.

The theme is peace throughout. Bush said he wasn't aiming for that. But once compiled the consistent message was "you can choose to be happy no matter what daily issue or depression you have. We all have something," he said.

Although Bush was never a country artist he had a top 40 and a top 50 single on the country charts. He doesn't have a "kind" of music. He describes it as having no-borders in terms of creativity. "I make music and I play music. There is no specific kind."

Not a human jukebox

Bush notices that many in Charleston play music to make money - often trying to score two gigs a night. "That strikes me because I play music because it makes me feel good and in turn makes others feel good. Music is the soundtrack to our lives and is an expressive art and that does not mix with money," he said. "If someone is inspired to pay for it then you've got the correct equation. But don't dishonor the art to make a dollar."

Don't get him wrong. He loves to play gigs in a venue where customers would buy a ticket to attend. But he would have no problem putting on the same show for free in someone's living room.

"I love the opportunity to play music but that is always secondary. He said. The goal is not to make a living but to dig deep and be great at what you're doing."

Making a difference

Bush tells all of his students that everything is possible. They are all ages and he tells them if they believe it, it can happen. He can prove it. He was signed to a major label at the age of 40.

Sadly he's noticed in the younger generation that they don't believe everything is possible. "They're already ready to settle. But he said, hard work and desire can offer an entirely different outcome than what they settled for.

He admits, that the music industry is the hardest business in the world. "My role in our town is to be as responsible and honest to my young students s I can. So I tell them, 'learn to make your life happen. You go out and make it happen'."

Bush has been teaching for 24 years which results in several thousand students.

"If I inspire some attitude for people to work hard then I've made a difference. I work with a very powerful vehicle."

Check out Bush's concert Friday, Jan. 27. doors open at 9 p.m. The show is at 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Betsy HijaziJanuary 5, 2017