On Friday 16 October 2020, Gene Watson mourned the passing of acclaimed country music artist, songwriter and drummer, Johnny Bush.

'So very sorry to hear this true Texas legend has passed.

RIP, Johnny Bush'

Source
Gene Watson on Facebook

Johnny Bush was nicknamed the 'Country Caruso', was best known for his distinctive voice and, as the writer, with Paul Stroud, of 'Whiskey River' (No.14, 1972), a Billboard Top 10 hit single for himself on RCA Records, a track which became Willie Nelson's signature song.

 

Johnny Bush recorded 'Whiskey River' (written by Johnny Bush and Paul Stroud) and included the track on 'Whiskey River / There Stands The Glass' (RCA Victor Records, 1973); the track reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972, and No.7 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1972.

Johnny Bush re-recorded 'Whiskey River' (written by Johnny Bush and Paul Stroud) and included the track on 'Whiskey River With Johnny Bush' (Delta Records, 1980); the track reached No.92 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.

 

Willie Nelson recorded 'Whiskey River' (written by Johnny Bush and Paul Stroud) and included the track on 'Shotgun Willie' (Atlantic Records, 1973).

In 1978, a recording of 'Whiskey River' (written by Johnny Bush and Paul Stroud) from Willie Nelson's 'live' album, 'Willie & Family Live' (Columbia Records, 1978) was released as a single, reaching No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978, and No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978.



As well as having Houston, Texas connections, Gene Watson and Johnny Bush also share some country music connections too.



Johnny Bush recorded 'Farewell Party', which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 - Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on his first album, 'The Sound of A Heartache' (Stop Records, 1967).  This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978); Gene Watson's version of 'Farewell Party' reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.

  

Johnny Bush recorded 'A Way To Survive', which was written by Moneen Carpenter and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on his first album, 'The Sound of A Heartache' (Stop Records, 1967), and on 'You Ought To Hear Me Cry' (Hilltop Records, 1970).  This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'A Way To Survive' (Step One Records, 1997).

 

Johnny Bush recorded 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on 'Undo The Right' (Stop Records, 1968).  This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, with special guest Lee Ann Womack, and included it on 'In A Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007).

 

Johnny Bush recorded 'You Gave Me A Mountain', which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982), and included the track on 'You Gave Me A Mountain' (Stop Records, 1969); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969.  This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'Paper Rosie' (Capitol Records, 1977); Gene Watson re-recorded the track and included it on 'Uncharted Mind' (Step One Records, 1993).

 

Johnny Bush recorded 'Don't You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on 'You Gave Me A Mountain' (Stop Records, 1969).  This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'In A Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007).

 

Johnny Bush, with special guest Willie Nelson, recorded 'The Party's Over' (written by Willie Nelson) and included the track on 'Together Again' (Delta Records, 1982).  This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'My Heroes Have Always Been Country' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014).

 

Johnny Bush recorded 'The Winds of Change' (written by Buzz Cason and Kent Westberry) saw the release of 'Talk To My Heart' (Watermelon Records, 1998).  This track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'In Other Words' (Broadland International Records / Mercury Canada, 1993).



On Thursday 13 September 2018, Johnny Bush graciously contributed a 'Peer's Quote' about Gene Watson.

Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 - Friday 16 October 2020)