Today we’d like to introduce you to Brodie Rush.
Hi Brodie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started playing music and recording around age 11. I started my band Be/Non in 1994 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
We got signed to Turnbuckle Records out of NYC in 1995. We toured the US extensively in the ’90s and 2000s. In 2008 I started getting interested in video animation and film. Since then I’ve self-taught myself to produce videos, cartoons, and music videos. I also do voice-over work and I’m an animator, artist, gardener, writer, director, audio engineer, and father to a beautiful daughter age 10.
I work in the day as a concert caterer/chef for Cool Guy Catering. In 2020 I started a KickStarter campaign to fund an animated educational series called “Food People”. We raised $27,000, but the project is on hold now because of legal reasons stemming from breaking up with my ex-partner. I’m currently working on a music video for Telekinetic Yeti from Minneapolis, an animated series called “The Eradicators” and I do freelance work for Singlewing Creative. I’ve worked on projects for Disney, Eli Lilly, Cops: Skyrim, Adjacent LA, and more. I have also made music videos for Monta At Odds, The Hearers, Jorge Arana Trio, Kylesa, and The Pedal Jets.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had dozens of members in my band for the past 27 years. It’s been a struggle to spend that much time on a project and still be virtually unknown. We have around a dozen albums out and still have minimal attention. The “Food People” series having to completely stop production right as it was taking off, after raising so much money really hurt me terribly. Not being able to work on the project you created was devastating. This also happen to a Be/Non album that I couldn’t release for 10 years. So my hope is that someday “Food People” can rise again, but for now, it’s a really sore subject, (that I’ve kept to myself until this interview.)
On October 11th, 2019 without warning, I suffered a medical emergency called an Aortic Dissection. John Ritter, Lucille Ball, Lux Interior, Andrew Fletcher, and many other unfortunate souls lost their lives to it. It only has a 9-30% survival rate. So, recovery was brutal. Just as I was on the mend, covid hit and as I recovered brought the “Food People” project into focus. So much time spent on that project has been cut short by legal battles and an inability to regain control of my own project, concept, art, music, and sole creator of the idea.
But you know what? I’m happy to be alive so all that really doesn’t matter. I’m here for my kid, and that’s all that matters.
Appreciate you sharing that with us. What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a multi-instrumentalist. I have over 30 years of songwriting experience. I’m proud of my music, my albums, and most of my songs. Be/Non has been ever-changing in the past 27 years of existence. I have hosted karaoke in the KC area since 2002. I have won local awards and I hosted the Pitch Music Awards for 3 years straight. I’ve also been an actor in theatre at the Coterie and for Ron Megee’s production of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” as “Pink”. I have done countless cover bands of different types. And I play a mean electric guitar. The talent I am most proud of is my sound recording skills for album production. I engineer most of my proudest recordings and I am a unique record producer.
Unfortunately, I’m probably most known for hosting Karaoke around town than being a musician, my musical work, or video production.
I was born in 1977 in Kansas City MO. Lived in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and Lawrence, Kansas. I currently live in Merriam KS. I am a fourth-grade drop-out. I don’t have a diploma or a degree. I’m self-taught about everything I do.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to do so much for myself while having a minimal formal education.
What matters most to you?
Living, and cooking for my friends, my pets, and my super awesome child. Because life is short and you never know when it’s your turn. I escaped death so I’m taking it day by day. Trying to keep my head above water, while still being as creative as possible in EVERYTHING I do.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benonband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mountainofyeses/videos
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7g3EVA0MiIgtYxoxSUsyuH?si=1XkGcHa0SW-D7esy0fD6Vg
Image Credits
Zachary Van Benthusen, Michael Carmody, Rhonda Lyne – Midwest Music Foundation, Mark Manning – Wednesday MidDay Medley, Jorge Arana – Jorge Arana Trio/New Obsessions, and Jeff Harshbarger
