Highlight: Brett Hughes and Bluegrass

When I first heard the term “honky-tonk” I thought it sounded like something from a clown’s toolkit—that or some kind of rare donkey. I remember knowing what bluegrass was, but honky-tonk? Its like a made up phrase from grade school. It was so strange, so eye catching, that I had to look into it. Lo and behold, it’s the name of a kind of Southern bar. Point being it got my attention, and it did so in the same way that Brett Hughes and bluegrass had before then.

The man himself, Brett, needs no introduction to the Burlington music scene. But I’m obligated to write one, so here it goes. For ten whole years, Brett hosted “Honky-Tonk Tuesday” at Radio Bean in Burlington, for all fellow enthusiasts of the music to listen to and enjoy, while also playing live alongside other artists. The number of bands he has worked with over the years is staggering, including but not limited to the Chrome Cowboys, Belle Pines, Cider House Boys, viperHouse, Mike Gordon And Ramble Dove, Whiskey Likkers, The Decentz, Fortune Tellers, All Fall Down and a great many more.

In the same way that honky-tonk got my attention through the sheer sound of the words, Brett Hughes got my attention through the sheer sound of his lyrics. I happened across a video featuring a live performance of his, and when I heard this man sing I had to do a double-take. Brett sings with the pep, energy and tone that simply screams “bluegrass,” in all the best ways. I’ve seen artists near my own age perform with energy nigh equal to a mossy rock, while Brett is decades deep in the industry and still sings like it’s day one. He has cited a number of influences for his style, including George Jones, Merle Haggard, The Delmore Brothers, Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash and his own mother.

The event itself, “Bluegrass and Honk-Tonk from the Green State,” is a compilation of everything that makes Brett Hughes Brett Hughes. The way it functions, if you will, is that Brett hunts down the best bluegrass and honky-tonk players across Vermont, gathering them into his little band of artists for when the time calls. And when said time comes ‘round, on an annual basis no less, Brett and his armada of artists roll out to perform. Hosted at the Soda Plant on the eve of Highlight, Brett will be performing live alongside a slew of other artists such as Old Sky, Pat Melvin, Brett Lanier, Sean Preece and many more. The event will last a whole six hours, with beverages provided, and will give Brett ample time to flex his bluegrass muscles for all attendees.

Brett Hughes has been a mainstay in the Burlington music community for years now, long enough that it seems all of his introductions say “this man needs no introduction.” And a decade or so from now, I can still see that being that case. All artists hope to perfect, perform and enjoy their craft, and it seems to me that Brett has all those boxes checked. You can find him live at the Soda Plant on December 31st from 4 to 10 PM, jamming out.

Text by Thomas Shimmield.

Photo courtesy of Highlight.