**[MOVE]**: So what has your Roots ‘N’ Blues experience been like?

**[Sam Bush]**:  Last year was a really fun year, because I was basically supplying the St. Louis Cardinals’ pep rally, and no one believed me when I said from the stage that I swear they’re going to make the playoffs. People yelled at me, “You’re crazy!” Sure enough not only did they make the playoffs, but they won the whole series.

**[M]**: What instruments do you play?

**[SB]**: I split times between the mandolin and the fiddle … I’ll probably be breaking out a miniature fender guitar. It’s a four-string electric mandolin.

**[M]**: How did you get your start with the mandolin?

**[SB]**: I got my first one in the month of December when I was 11 years old with the help of my parents. … I started playing mandolin at 11 and the fiddle around age 13. I was fortunate to be able to channel that energy at an early age. Sometimes when I’m playing I feel as if I’m 17, but my body tells me differently.

**[M]**: When you were growing up, who were you inspired by?

**[SB]**:  Growing up close to Nashville, we could watch Nashville television stations so I got to watch Bill Monroe on television, Bob Osborne of the Osborne brothers, and Jim and Jesse. My two main influences were Bill Monroe and a guy named Jethro (Burns).  … Jethro was an incredible jazz mandolin player, so I learned the jazz from Jethro and the bluegrass from Bill.

**[M]**: What are some tour highlights so far?

**[SB]**: We started touring in late April. Some of the music highlights though were when we went to the Telluride Festival in Colorado. I’ve been playing there for 38 years now. I also played a whole set with Los Lobos. The most fun is playing live.