January 1, 2008
Bushnell’s Water Dance
The following article by Kirk Ross is from “The Mill”, a monthly supplement to The Carrboro Citizen published November 2007.
A.C. Bushnell has a story to tell and he is not inclined to wait. That’s been evident as he’s made the rounds talking to media and promoting a new record and a big show to celebrate it.
Yes, he’s proud of the new work and excited about the show, but what he really wants to get across is for you, too, to not wait around for life to happen.
The longtime fiddler, who has played with the Red Clay Ramblers and formed the Stillhouse Bottom Band, was faced with the prospect of a life cut short a couple of years back when he was diagnosed with liver cancer. He fought it and won, but knows, as so many cancer survivors know, that life is fragile, precious and brief. For A.C, even a moment on idle is too long.
Given a chance, thanks to a successful operation, he resolved to take up the projects he’s always wanted to try and to expand his music and horizons. Some of the results of that resolve can be witnessed on Saturday, Nov.3, when Bushnell is joined by 16 fellow musicians for a party at the ArtsCenter to celebrate the release of Dancing on the Water— a CD of wide-ranging collaborations. He’ll be joined on stage by The Stillhouse Bottom Band, his longtime bluegrass and old-time band mates (Bushnell’s home overlooks Stillhouse Bottom), as well as a powerhouse called the Happyjoy Band, which features Robert Sledge (of Ben Folds Five fame), guitarist Will McFarlane, drummer Kevin Brock and Bland Simpson, who’s been a friend since the two met in the Greenwich Village folk scene in the ‘60s. In fact, it was Simpson’s decision to head back to North Carolina that brought Bushnell to the area, and the longtime Red Clay Rambler will emcee the ArtsCenter show.
And while there will be plenty of old-time sounds at the show as well as rock and folk tunes, Bushnell and friends will reach even further back, adding ancient chants to the strings.
Dancing on the Water is more than a record, it is a promise fulfilled, and the lessons are woven in it by a man who has had a second chance. A.C. Bushnell has a story to tell, and he is not inclined to wait.