Darryl Lee Rush comes blasting into the Americana mu… Read Full Bio ↴Darryl Lee Rush
Darryl Lee Rush comes blasting into the Americana music scene with songs so noticeably fresh and strong, he’s easily won a huge following, dedicated fans and pages of praise for his debut CD, Llano Avenue.
On his sophomore release, Darryl Lee Rush: Live from the River Road Ice House, the Dallas-based Shiner Records artist brings his sharp pen, compelling vocal, captivating guitar and riveting performance to a live, energetic night with Rush’s band caught on disc so that far-flung fans can experience what Rush’s memorable gigs are all about.
Born in the small south central Texas town of Markham, a “town too tough to die,” Rush was raised in a house next door to the one where his father was born. Of his family, he says, “music was considered a family value.” Rush began playing in sixth grade on a classical guitar he cunningly refitted with steel strings. Lessons with a local bluegrass picker helped Darryl find his way musically, though Rush developed a smooth style with rough-rocking edges that’s uniquely his own. As his playing progressed, he quickly gained a large dedicated following at clubs in and around the Dallas music scene.
Signing with Shiner Records changed things for Rush, as he explained in the Dallas Observer, "One day we're playing in the neighborhood, the next day we're opening for Diamond Rio at the Nokia Theater." Those bigger gigs allowed Rush to bring his expressive voice to enthusiastic audiences, and to play with artists and new friends like Robert Earl Keen, Randy Rogers and Dwight Yoakam. And Rush states, “Shiner allowed me to touch and affect so many more people and that let these songs get out there.”
Signing with Shiner Records (an imprint of venerable Palo Duro Records) enabled Rush to work with the greats of Texas music: Legendary producer Gurf Morlix, whose work with Lucinda Williams and Slaid Cleaves is revered by fans, was tapped to produce Rush’s debut record with Shiner’s co-founder Joshua Jones. Llano Avenue debuted at #33 and spent weeks on the Americana radio chart, grabbing the attention of listeners, fans, programmers, radio stations and industry alike. The CD was lauded by critics and artists alike.
Great gigs and performances followed, including not only the Nokia Theater but The Granada Theater, Cheatham Street Warehouse, a stage at KHYI’s Texas Music Revolution, and Bocktoberfest in Shiner, TX and shows at SXSW. Rush quickly became mainstay on Texas radio with fans recognizing truth in his authentic, incisive portraits of life, from his wry observation “if you didn’t have that caller ID/I’d call you up sometime,” in the CD’s title cut to his haunting ode to a “so cold” stripper in “Diary of a Dancer.” Music fans love and cheer Rush’s own original country anthem, “White Trash Paradise,” and the title track, “Llano Avenue,” and repeatedly request Rush’s heartfelt version of Chris Knight’s “Miles to Memphis” and his well-loved cover of Sam Baker’s “Truale.”
As a songwriter, Rush has been likened to both of those Americana legends as well as to Fred Eaglesmith. The three share an eye for perfect, insightful image and for strong human emotions expressed both musically and in the stunning poetry of their words.
With his new Shiner Records release, appearing December 2007, Darryl Lee Rush: Live from the River Road Icehouse, Rush invites his fans to the best table in the house at a rocking show next to the Guadalupe River where, as Rush says, “Some of the people there were in that river before the night was through.“ Accompanied by bandmates Scott Oldner on lead guitar, Andy Mayer on drums, Don Gallia on an arsenal of harmonicas and Mike McShane on bass, Darryl rocks the Texas roadhouse in his inimitable style with his strong, affecting vocals bringing every word alive and his kick-ass energy infusing the songs with raw feeling and sheer guts.
Two brand new studio cuts grace the CD, both penned by Rush: the rock-inflected Texas narrative “Shotgun Annie” and a plaintive, searing look at a life being lived too fully in “Lot.” Darryl Lee Rush fans – and there will be more and more of them every day – will love hearing their favorite cuts with live energy and will thrill to the new songs
www.DarrylLeeRush.com
Johnny Come Lately
Darryl Lee Rush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born and bred in the USA
So listen up close, I've got something to say
Boys, I'm buying this round
Well it took a little while, but we're in this fight
And we ain't going home 'til we've done what's right
We're gonna drink Camden Town dry tonight
If I have to spend my last pound
When I first got to London it was pourin' down rain
Met a little girl in the field canteen
Painted het name on the nose of my plane
Six more missions, I'm gone
Well I asked if I could stay and she said that I might
Then the warden came around yelling "turn out the lights"
Death rainin' out of the London night
We made love 'til dawn
But when Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
With a chest full of medals and a G.I. loan
They'll be waitin' at the station down in San Antone
When Johnny comes marching home
My P-47 is a pretty good ship
And she took a round comin' cross the channel last trip
I was thinkin' 'bout my baby and letting her rip
Always got me through so far
Well they can ship me all over this great big world
But I'll never find nothing like my North End girl
I'm taking her home with me one day, sir
Soon as we win this war
But when Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
With a chest full of medals and a G.I. loan
They'll be waitin' at the station down in San Antone
When Johnny comes marching home
Now my grandaddy sang this song
Told me about London when the Blitz was on
How he married grandma and brought her back home
A hero throughout his land
Now I'm standing on a runway in San Diego
A couple Purple Hearts and I move a little slow
There's nobody here, maybe nobody knows
About a place called Vietnam
But when Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
With a chest full of medals and a G.I. loan
They'll be waitin' at the station down in San Antone
When Johnny comes marching home
The lyrics of Darryl Lee Rush's song "Johnny Come Lately" revolve around the experiences of an American soldier who has been stationed overseas during the war. The song begins with a sense of patriotism and pride as the soldier declares his American identity and his willingness to fight for what is right. He then goes on to recount his experiences in London, where he met a girl and engaged in a love affair against the backdrop of the war.
The song then takes a turn towards the end, as the soldier reflects on the experiences of his grandfather during the Blitz in London and his own experiences in Vietnam. The lyrics touch upon the challenges and sacrifices made by soldiers, the impact of war on relationships, and the desire to return home to loved ones.
Overall, the song tells the story of a soldier's journey through war and his struggles to reconcile his experiences with his identity and place in the world. It is a poignant and reflective portrayal of the toll that war can take on individuals and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an American, boys, and I've come a long way
I am a native of the United States and I have traveled extensively to reach my current location.
Born and bred in the USA
I was born and raised in the United States of America, proud of my national identity.
So listen up close, I've got something to say
I have an important message to share and I want your full attention.
Boys, I'm buying this round
I will pay for everyone's drinks as a gesture of goodwill and friendship.
Well it took a little while, but we're in this fight
We have been in a prolonged struggle, but we are still focused on achieving our goals.
And we ain't going home 'til we've done what's right
We refuse to return home until we have completed our mission to the best of our abilities.
We're gonna drink Camden Town dry tonight
We plan to consume a significant amount of alcohol in this specific location.
If I have to spend my last pound
I am willing to spend all of my money for the sake of having a good time and bonding with others.
When I first got to London it was pourin' down rain
Upon arriving in London, there was a heavy rainstorm taking place.
Met a little girl in the field canteen
I met a woman in the canteen who was serving in the military.
Painted her name on the nose of my plane
As a symbol of my affection for the woman, I added her name to the exterior of my aircraft.
Six more missions, I'm gone
After completing six additional missions, I will leave this location and return to the United States.
Well I asked if I could stay and she said that I might
I inquired whether I could remain with the woman, and she tentatively agreed.
Then the warden came around yelling 'turn out the lights'
The air raid warden ordered everyone to shut off their lights in preparation for a potential bombing raid.
Death rainin' out of the London night
Bombs were being dropped on the city, resulting in destruction and loss of life.
We made love 'til dawn
Despite the danger and destruction taking place outside, we spent the night together in passionate intimacy.
But when Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
Referring to soldiers who arrive late to the battlefield due to various circumstances.
With a chest full of medals and a G.I. loan
These soldiers may have been awarded medals and given loans by the government for their service.
They'll be waitin' at the station down in San Antone
Their loved ones and community will eagerly await their return in San Antonio, Texas.
My P-47 is a pretty good ship
The artist's aircraft, a P-47 Thunderbolt, is reliable and effective.
And she took a round comin' cross the channel last trip
While flying over the English Channel, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire but managed to remain operational.
I was thinkin' 'bout my baby and letting her rip
Despite the danger of the situation, the artist's thoughts were focused on his significant other, motivating him to act with increased vigor.
Always got me through so far
The aircraft has protected and served the singer well during his time in combat.
Well they can ship me all over this great big world
The military possibly plans to re-deploy the artist to other locations for further operations.
But I'll never find nothing like my North End girl
The singer believes that he will never meet another woman who compares to his North End girlfriend.
I'm taking her home with me one day, sir
The singer is determined to bring his girlfriend back to the United States with him and start a new life together.
Soon as we win this war
Only after victory has been achieved in the ongoing conflict will the singer and his girlfriend be able to make a life together.
Now my grandaddy sang this song
The artist's grandfather performed a rendition of this particular song.
Told me about London when the Blitz was on
The grandfather shared stories with the artist about his experiences in London during the Blitz, a period of heavy bombing during World War II.
How he married grandma and brought her back home
The grandfather married his wife in London, and they later relocated back to the United States together.
A hero throughout his land
The singer's grandfather was viewed as a heroic figure in his community due to his wartime service.
Now I'm standing on a runway in San Diego
The artist is currently located at a San Diego airport.
A couple Purple Hearts and I move a little slow
As a result of sustaining injuries in combat, the artist has experienced some physical limitations and moves slower than before.
There's nobody here, maybe nobody knows
The artist appears to be experiencing a sense of loneliness or isolation, perhaps due to the hardships of war.
About a place called Vietnam
The singer is implying that he may be sent to Vietnam next for further military operations.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind