In Episode 6, “A Little Chunk of Nashville History,” Shelly faces a cancer diagnosis in the most Shelly way possible: attempt to crush it through sheer force of will. Unfortunately, cancer was not impressed and Shelly passed away on Valentine’s Day, 2015. Together with her band members and friends, this episode focuses on Shelly’s story as a testament to perseverance and the enduring influence of a true Nashville original.

Additional Links:
Shelly Bush Estate Sale
Shelly Bush Obituary
Gumbo YaYa Radio

Despite her rigorous pursuit of the ideal image for the music industry, Shelly’s health visibly declined, with friends and band members noticing unexplained weight loss and persistent fatigue. In Episode 5 “Not in a Really Good State,” we delve into Shelly’s determination to keep working and the toll it took. She never let anyone tell her “no,” so why start now?

Additional Links:
ReverbNation Shelly Bush

Shelly Bush didn’t want to be “just” a bar singer. She wanted to be a country star. She was beautiful and talented, but Shelly knew that is not all it takes to succeed in the music industry. In Episode 4, “The Next Reba,” we discover the ways she worked tirelessly to conceal her vulnerabilities.

Additional Links:
What is Disability Culture?
Association of Horizon

In Episode 3, “The Hardest Working Lady in Show Business,” Shelly hits the ground running in Nashville. She says yes to any gig that will have her and makes the decision to form an all-female band called Broadband. Between her remarkably bad driving, her otherworldly work ethic, and gigs from bars to topless tricycle races, life on the road with Shelly was never boring.

Additional Links:
ReverbNation Shelly Bush

In Episode 2, “Hometown Star,” we delve into Shelly Bush’s early years in Stover, Missouri, where her passion for music took root. Supported by her devoted family, Shelly honed her craft and dreamed of stardom. The episode explores how her small-town upbringing and relentless ambition shaped her move to Nashville, where she began carving out her path in country music. It’s an intimate look at the foundation of a future trailblazer.

Additional Links:
Shelly Bush – Our Place (2010)
ReverbNation Shelly Bush

In Episode 1, “The Most Influential Woman in Country Music You Never Heard Of,” host Ellen Angelico shares the captivating story of Shelly Bush, a powerhouse singer with an indomitable spirit and a charmingly chaotic career. Weaving together interviews with her bandmates and family to create a vivid portrait of Shelly, this is Angelico taking a loving whack at turning an unsung hero into a sung one.