Richmond, Virginia based The Bush League began in March 2007 as a sonic stew one part cigarette smoke, one part cheap beer and a healthy dollop of laughter through the tears. The soul filled voice of co-founder JohnJason “Sleepy Eyed Jay” Cecil is both sin and salvation while the guitar licks of Shane “Chicago Slim” Parch paint a picture of Mississippi shotgun houses against a backdrop of the Windy City skyline. The Bush League’s rhythm section is anchored by co-founder Royce “I Don’t Need No Nickname” Folks on bass and Georgia peach Gwen “Platinum Plaque” Frederick on drums.
The Bush League’s sound is infused with the music cultivated in the fertile soil of the Mississippi Delta that raced like kudzu through eventual blues strongholds such as Memphis, Chicago and St. Louis. One listen will take you to juke joints where mason jars are full of white lightnin’ and a pocket might hold a favor—or a razor. While paying homage to those who have inspired them such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, R.L. Burnside, and Hound Dog Taylor, The Bush League imbues traditional blues with a modern flair. They have been blessed with the opportunity to share the stage with the likes of Michael Burks, Rory Block, and Big Bill Morganfield. The Bush League’s side duo project “Sleepy Eyed Jay and Chicago Slim” has opened for Duke Robillard and shared the stage with Debbie Davies and Tinsley Ellis. Rock tinged, raucous, and at times raunchy, The Bush League always puts on a show that is, in a word, FUN. The interaction between the band mates is infectious and soon the crowd is smiling just as much as the band is. You will like what you hear, and love what you’ve never heard before.
