Merry Christmas 2014 (from the fevered mind of JohnJay…)

Firstly, let me tell you all right now that I’m hopped up on flu medication and collard greens so literally ANYTHING can come flying out of my fingertips so let me get this out of the way right now…

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Okay, having said that, THE BUSH LEAGUE hopes that each of your Christmases or Hanukkahs or Kwanzaas or Festivuses was bright like the song. We hope that you were able to spend it with the people you like (or the people you can stand for a couple of hours) and you got some really cool gifts (I got Spider-Man socks..SCORE!!!) Speaking of gifts we really want to let y’all know something…

YOU ARE A GIFT.

Yep, each and every one of you reading this note right now is a gift. I mean a “this is what I always wanted”, professionally wrapped with paper that you want to save, GIFT. Think about it. I just learned that we are each the union of one egg and the hardiest of 52 MILLION spermatozoa; I mean we are technically all like, part Michael Phelps. You are a gift folks. I’m talking bow on a Lexus in the driveway gift. I’m talking conjugal visits at the work camp gift. That’s you. That’s me. That’s us. There is someone out there in this big ol’ world who cannot wait to see your face, hear your voice, smell your scent (less you been tearing them beans up), and hold your hand. Even now it pleasantly surprises THE BUSH LEAGUE when someone says they are looking forward to seeing us onstage soon. It feels so good when somebody wants you, doesn’t it? It sho’ do!

Even before this great day, THE BUSH LEAGUE has been gifted royally by the presence of Brad Moss, Michael Burgess, and Wynton Davis. You know how you already had a fine looking vehicle that ran pretty well and then your tuner friends came over with some stuff that “fell off the truck” and next thing you know you’ve got an ’87 Buick Roadmaster station wagon with the wood paneling sides that has a top speed of 215 mph? No? Well, lemme tell you, that b*tch gets UP!! Brad, Michael, and Wynton pretty much “fell off the truck” per se’ and were bolt on accessories; just stick ’em on and watch ’em go! Phenomenally multi-talented, full of energy, and their blood flows smoothly seasoned with red pepper flakes and gasoline (I don’t even know what the hell that means, but it fits)! Anyhoo, they are a gift, as can be evidenced by them rolling down to Greensboro, NC with Royce, Kenya, and myself for their THIRD SHOW with the band and playing all’s us into a slot at the 2015 International Blues Challenge representing the great Piedmont Blues Preservation Society! Every time we get together the magic gets stronger and with no virgin sacrifice, either! Whodathunkit? We’re happy to have unwrapped them early!!

Manager Extraordinaire Kenya Watkins don’t play nary an instrument (no Kenya, the recorder does NOT count) but she is the “load bearing column” if you will of THE BUSH LEAGUE. You can’t get a better gift than one that keeps you going when you want to stop, points out where you could be better (we artists are EXTREMELY egotistical), and does her thing so good that established managers and agents are like, “You know, we can’t even help you because you’re already doing what were going to offer you.” She knows the game better than most of the players and she’s also a great friend. She got me bacon soap…yep, bacon soap. Get on my level.

How cool is it to look under the tree and find Jess Uribe with a bow on him? Or Cleve Baker with a bow on him? Or Albert Green? or Vinny Marini? These good fellas and other internet Blues radio DJ’s have been giving the gift that is THE BUSH LEAGUE to listeners all over the globe and if that don’t make them gifts in themselves I don’t know what does. These guys and dedicated folks like them are truly gifts to the Blues community as they are stalwarts who consistently and constantly champion the Blues. Plus they are some of the nicest dudes you can ever come across.

Like I said earlier, YOU ARE A GIFT . In addition to the fact that you exist, you are also the reason why we pick up dudes that fall off the truck and keep on blasting down the road. Pats on the back at shows, comments and following THE BUSH LEAGUE on social media, supportive phone calls/emails, all of those things keep us motivated to keep making good music and bringing the funk (sometimes literally; damn beans) on stage. You and your support of THE BUSH LEAGUE by extension ARE A GIFT and we will happily unwrap you all time and time again (some of you may get a little more unwrapped than others…look out PETE TURPIN).

Okay, starting to hallucinate…WTH did you give me Kenya?!?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

JohnJay, Vocals

THE BUSH LEAGUE

get some….

Now, if you really just feel the need to GIVE us something, we’ll more than happily accept $5 from you as our “I Got 5 On It: Help THE BUSH LEAGUE get to Memphis” fundraiser is still going on! Check it…Click it…

https://www.facebook.com/events/856303024400761/