Garland Rush keeps singing as he approaches 100
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The Tom Thumb Tavern was rocking to the music of Four on the Floor recently. The Country-centric band belted out familiar tunes and had a few people on the dance floor. But it was the lead singer who captured attention.
Garland Rush was on the microphone, giving it his best. At 96 years old, his best is better than some people half his age.
Rush has been singing as long as he can remember, but he didn’t begin performing professionally until the 1970s. He prefers Country and Bluegrass tunes, and he has been a regular performer at the Tom Thumb for the past 20 years.
“It’s the best bar in town,” Rush said.
He joined Four on the Floor in February as a vocalist, and he regularly gets the opportunity to perform with them at the Tom Thumb. With more than 50 years under his belt, he has seen his share of bands and fellow musicians. And Four on the Floor is a good fit, he believes.
But it never has been about the band, the locale, or the size of the crowd for Rush. It always has been about the music and the performance.
“You gotta know what you want to do,” said Rush. “I knew what I wanted to do when I got out of the service.”
Rush’s military service time was cut short by an accident in which he was run over by lawnmower, breaking both of his legs. The injury stayed with him and forced him to be medically discharged. But it didn’t really slow him down.
Rush drove a school bus for 40 years; most of that time with Northwestern Schools. These days, woodworking fills his days when he’s not singing.
“I’ve got to do something,” said Rush. “It’s better than sitting and watching TV. I do a little gardening. I’ve planted some onions and tomatoes alongside the barn, but the cats are getting out there.”
Singing isn’t making Rush rich or particularly famous, but it does cover his beer tab. And it gives him the opportunity to spend a little time with his daughter, who attends his performances.
And he intends on continuing his musical career indefinitely. Singing at the Tom Thumb at 100? He didn’t rule it out.
“As long as they want me,” Rush said.