Country Artist Johnny Bush

Nicknamed the “Country Caruso”, Bush was best known for his distinctive voice and for writing the song “Whiskey River”, a top 10 hit for himself which also became the signature song of fellow artist Willie Nelson. 

Bush joined Ray Price’s band, the Cherokee Cowboys, in 1963 along with a young Willie Nelson and Darrell McCall. His association with Price led Bush to Nashville and a contract to sing for record demonstrations. He also played in Nelson’s band, the Record Men. With Nelson’s financial backing, Bush recorded his first album in 1967, The Sound of a Heartache.

Bush teamed with Darrell McCall in 1986, recording a successful honky-tonk album, Hot Texas Country, and began assembling a large Country band performing around South Texas. In 1994, the band released Time Changes Everything.