Sam Bush encounter

[MandyLynn]

So yesterday, my dad's in the Atlanta airport waiting for his connecting flight, his guitar and mando in tow, reading a book, when just out of the corner of his eye he sees--

a mandolin case! And the hand on that mandolin case none other than--

Sam Bush! my dad jumped up and went over to him, saying, "Hey, who are you?"

Sam smiled and said, "I be SAM." He put down his case and shook my dad's hand.

They talked a bit, and Sam asked him what he had in the case. My dad said, "Aw, just my Fender."

Sam picked up his case and held it over his head with one hand, saying, "I got my Hoss!" Then he said goodbye and got on down the way to his flight.

When we saw him in May, and when I saw him play last year, he was just the nicest guy ever about meeting fans and signing stuff. (He cracked up when I told him I thought I was going to pass out, and he took his time with me and talked.) This just cements that for me. I've always liked Sam's music--it seems to have a really good message along with his spectacular musicianship--but he seems like an all around great guy.

[Edited to add: And I guess I should add by way of disclaimer that he's my Own Personal Mandolin Savior; I had heard a lot of mandolin before I heard Sam, but nothing else made me say, "I've GOT to play that!" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ]

[jjboone101]

Very cool! He does seem like a down-to-Earth guy and I agree, one of the most soulful mando pickers anywhere.

[Pete Martin]

Sam's the best!

[Wm. Joe Batterton]

I have to agree!! He's my favorite musician. Just a real cool guy!

[ira]

not surprising. i know there are some who are bothered by his stage banter, and as a big deadhead, not used to so much talkin on stage, but he just seems so genuine in his rap and in his joy of playing.

[mmukav]

Great story! Sam is a wonderful person, awesome player. Met him in Ohio at Nelson ledges last year, down to earth, easy to talk to, introduced him to the whole family..he was great. The best part was when I asked to shake his hand. Told him I was a fellow mandolin player and wanted to share in some 'good karma'. He shook it heartfully and I swear when I got home and played my mando, I did play just a little better!
Oh--and did I say he wails on mando?

[Wesley]

I spent about 4 hours at the Atlanta airport yesterday - I wish I'd seen Sam { or your dad for that matter }. I don't think he was flying American. If he did I'll blame it on being engrossed in the book I had with me { The Gates Of The Alamo }.

[Scotti Adams]

..yea....Blame it on the Alamo http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I remember when Sam was at the Gibson mandolin factory in Montana a few years back, I got to sit in on a jam where there were a few guitars and a bunch of mandos. Sam was trying out a bunch of them to kinda get a feel for what he wanted in the new "Sam Bush Model". His mando, "Hoss", was passed around the circle along with the new Gibsons, so I got a chance to play it. One thing is for sure; Sam's a pretty cool and laid back guy!

[doublestop]

Sam is a cool guy and I don't know why some people are bothered my his stage banter. His banter is very funny. He's got a great sense of humor! One of my fav CDs is a live concert from Highpoint NC. It is a tad rock n rollish and really bothers the traditionalists, but I just love it.

[JohnF]

At Grey Fox last year (Where I'm headed in a few hours!!!) Sam, Drew Emmitt, etc. gave a workshop and Sam was signing autograhs and when a kid about 10-years-old came up with a mando Sam sat down for about five minutes and told the boy to keep it fun. It was a cool moment.
Drew was also a heck of a nice guy.

[johnnymando]

I was there at Grey fox last year at Sams workshop,He signed my hat after the mando...I thought I was 10 yrs old too...Love that boys pickin'

[cmrd1a]

Here is an encounter you all may get a good laugh from. At Frontier Ranch back in 1997 or '98 Sam's band was closing out the Saturday night show. Anyway, Sam was standing by the consession stand talking to somebody and I waited for him to finish before I made my approach. I told him I was a big fan and could I please get a picture with him. After my wife took the picture, I shook his hand and told what a great show it was! Sam said "great, glad you like it" and just laughed. HE WASN'T SET TO PLAY FOR THREE MORE HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was a bit rattled at meeting him, anyway that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!