Crest Ink - Volume 28 - Number 02

the top and uses their hands to keep a beat/rhythm by slapping the different sides and areas on the box to simulate a drum set. Dave had been playing in rock bands since graduating high school, but Rod hadn’t played in a band since his early 20’s, when he played some bass and drums in his dad’s country band. They like to play sing-a-long standards, which hopefully most people recognize. Though they claim they are not the most talented band in the world, they try to make up for it by having fun. Burn N’ Bush will try to get the crowd involved by singing, dancing, laughing, whatever it takes. They can generally be found playing in local bars, festivals and other events. Occasionally they have played a few shows in Chicago or Rockford One exciting event included opening up for Bret Michaels in Rockton last summer. They are also very fortunate to have the local Budweiser distributor sponsor them for their merchandise, which gets the Burn N’ Bush name out there a bit. As a couple of guys in their 50’s , they like to say they are well past worrying about getting rich & famous, but in stead just trying to entertain and have a little fun along the way. You can catch them this summer around the area, or follow them on a few road trips! They will be doing a show or 2 in Wisconsin this summer, and also playing in Nashville over Memorial Day Weekend. Dave has passed this talent and affinity for music to his 3 sons, Tyler, Tristan (Tree) and Griffin. So the tradition continues! Meet Tristan Bushman

Tristan Bushman, nicknamed Tree, (son of Dave Bushman,Scheduling Dept.) is a fresh- man at Sauk Valley College and a local singer/songwriter. He started getting up and sing- ing with his dad’s band when he was 5 years old, and started learning guitar shortly after that. By the time he was 10 years old, he was singing and playing guitar at churches, and school talent shows, and by 12 years old was playing local summer festivals, and to date has performed over 200 shows. Tristan had always enjoyed singing, and playing guitar as a hobby, but in High School de- cided he wanted to make it more than just a hobby! His first break was making it to Los Angeles when he was 15years old, for executive casting for the TV show “the Voice”. Though he didn’t make the final cut to make the show, it motivated him to keep going, knowing that not many people make it even that far. Tristan kept playing locally, and ended up winning an internet singing contest, which enabled him to record and release his first single, and professional music video.

2015 was big year for Tristan, he released his first album of original songs in March. He was also chosen by “The House of Blues” as an emerging youth artist and performed on their stage in April, 2015. He was also chosen to participate in a National Talent Search contest which was held at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles Il., which he went on to win. This then earned him an audition for the final season of “American Idol”. Tristan did a skype audi- tion for Idol, and from that was asked to come to San Francisco for a private audition. The San Francisco audition was a long day. He had to audition that morning in front of casting executives, and they moved him on!!! Next was auditioning in front of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick Jr., so he sat there all day and it was finally Tristan’s turn to audition around 7pm that evening. He auditioned with a song, by NEEDTOBREATHE, and came out with the Golden Ticket, and moved on to Hollywood. Hollywood was a great experience, but unfortunately was cut before group round. This again only motivated Tristan to keep pushing. He is currently playing shows, writing music for his next album, and networking with all the contacts and musicians he has met along the way, all at the tender age of 18! He has opened for numerous nationally touring acts, and one of his big shows this summer will be opening for Kellie Pickler at the Big R Country Jam in Rochelle (8/13/16). His motto is “If your dreams don’t scare you…they’re not big enough”, so he’ll keep chasing his dream. Check him out on Facebook: Tristan Bushman Music, or his website www.tristanbushman.com

April, May & June 2016 Crest Ink 19

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