Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
For 14 years, Kristian Bush and a merry band of musician pals have commandeered Eddie’s Attic the weekend after Thanksgiving to spread early holiday cheer and spotlight some mighty fine songwriting.
The past few rounds have brought Canaan Smith and Chris Young to the stage, staying true to Bush's commitment to showcase songwriters whose names aren't nearly as familiar as the hits they've written for some of the biggest artists in country.
On Sunday, at the first of four shows (Bush returns at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Monday), the amiable singer-guitarist enlisted old pal Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls and JT Harding (aka JTX) to join him (Harding will play with Bush and Ellis Paul at the Monday gigs).
Keeping with tradition, the show was a round-robin style of performance, with the frontline wielding acoustic guitars and Bush’s ace musician brother, Brandon, tucked at the back of the tiny stage on keyboard.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Bush launched the show with his new holiday tune, "Thinking About Drinking for Christmas," followed by Harding and his hit written for Kenny Chesney, "Somewhere with You." Saliers, sans musical partner Amy Ray, joked, "I'm really happy to be here singing half of my songs," before unleashing the recent Indigo song, "Learned it on Me."
Saliers also used the opportunity to debut a new ballad, “Train Inside,” from her upcoming solo album. As her voice cracked with emotion, she unspooled the emotionally wrenching song with her usual proficiency for vivid storytelling.
Bush, too, utilized the platform to play new material – the percussive “I’m Coming Around.”
What’s always most enjoyable about Bush’s annual gathering is that there is no star on stage – it’s equal time for equal talent.
The amusing Harding told a story about Keith Urban mistaking him for a bathroom attendant – the pair later wrote the hit “Somewhere in My Car,” which Harding performed – while Bush recounted his first encounters with Saliers and Ray and their collective Emory connection.
Brandon Bush’s soulful keyboards shaded the easy-flowing “Flip Flops” and turned funky for a solo midway through Saliers’ “Galileo,” which, along with Harding’s singalong of “Smile” – yep, Harding wrote the Uncle Kracker hit – elicited a giddy response from the sold-out crowd.
We might tire of some holiday traditions – the shopping, the travel, the family get-togethers – but as long as Bush is performing, let’s hope he never lets go of this one.
Take a listen to some of Sunday’s performances.
Kristian Bush, "I'm Coming Around":
Emily Saliers, "Deconstruction":
J.T. Harding, "Smile":
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