Opry to Host Tribute to Johnny Bush

Justin Trevino will headline this month’s special tribute to the late and great Johnny Bush on Monday, Oct. 16, at the La Grange KC Hall in La Grange. Doors open 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Justin grew up while artists like Curtis Potter, Darrell McCall and Justin Tubb were still commonly heard on the air, and he shared their appreciation for the country shuffle. His favorite – the big one was Texas legend Johnny Bush. Justin recalled, “The first time I heard him sing, I said to myself, “My God there is a singer for you.

When he was 10, he set out to collect all of his records and they were all out of print. It took him a few years, but he got them.

By the time Justin was 13 he had formed his own band, Sunset Country. The group played honky tonks in and around Austin. Four years later, he landed the gig he wanted most: leading the Sunday afternoon jam session at Harry Weiss’ Red Eye Saloon. He knew that his idol, Johnny Bush, sometimes came to sit in. One day after Harry Weiss heard Justin singing “Whiskey River,” Bush’s signature song, he remarked how much Justin sounded like Bush. He promised to introduce the two of them and made good on that promise a couple of weeks later. Justin explained that he was singing that afternoon and Johnny gets up on the stage and announces, “Ladies and gentleman I’m a little under the weather and I am hoarse and can’t sing. I have been told that this young man knows all my songs. What I am gonna do is sit here and play lead guitar and he is going to sing my songs. So you can look at me and listen to him. Justin started with “Undo the Right” and by the time he finished 45 minutes later, he and Johnny were fast friends. Johnny always considered Justin to be like a son to him and he was quick to tell people “Justin was my biggest fan until I heard him sing. Then I became his”.

In the early 90s while continuing to perform with his own band Justin played for Cornell Hurd and later also with Darrel McCall. In 1994 while still continuing to do shows on his own and with other bands, Justin began a nine-year run as a “Bandolero” in Johnny Bush’s band. He played bass and sang harmony throughout the nine years. He also opened the shows with 45 minutes as lead vocalist before Johnny came on stage. In Texas country music circles, it is a huge source of pride for musicians to be able to say they have been a Bandolero. For Justin, though, it was not just about the thrill of playing with a Texas legend who was also his idol, mentor and good friend.

So be sure to be with us on Monday, Oct. 16 for this special tribute to Johnny Bush.