Grammy Award-winning performer, songwriter and producer Kristian Bush really does actually sing; it's just been little awhile. Bush is well known and lauded as a multi-award winning songwriter and musician; yet other performers sing his words. But these days, as a solo artist, currently on a tour to promote his new songs, Bush is cozying up to the mic. And for the performer, singing, playing and performing is extra sweet.

Bush has been writing and performing music for more than two decades. In the early 1990s, he formed a folk-rock act called Billy Pilgrim with fellow writer and performer Andrew Hydra. Billy Pilgrim was successful and brought acclaim and accomplishment to the pair. However, it was another important pairing that really put Bush's career in overdrive.

This summer Bush is out on the road performing on the 2014 "Put Your Soul In It Tour," with a stop right here in South Puget Sound. Bush is the featured performer at the 2014 JBLM FreedomFest being held July 4 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Bush takes the main stage at 6:30 p.m. and will entertain audiences until 8 p.m. According to the performer's website, he will perform with a five-piece band including Rebecca and Megan Lovell of roots duo, Larkin Poe.

Bush is best known the part of the wildly popular and platinum-selling country duo, Sugarland. Founded in 2002, this country act has been nothing short of formidable on the charts and with the fans. With five number one singles, a multitude of accolades and awards and over 22 million records sold worldwide, Sugarland has clearly captured the spirit of American country music like no other. 

While Bush and his Sugarland co-performer, Jennifer Nettles, are currently working on solo projects, Bush assures the public that the band is still going strong; they are just taking a break for now. In fact, according to a recent report from USA Today, Bush had this to say to the fans:

"No, people, the band is not breaking up," he said. "Just so you know. You go tell your friends. Nobody panic.

"But in your anxiety, you are given the opportunity to buy my record. Channel that; it's all right."

Joking aside, Bush is proud of his solo work. He made his solo debut in last March at the inaugural C2C: Country to Country Festival, held at the O2 Arena in London. His first release as a solo act, Love or Money, debuted in the United Kingdom and Europe just post-concert and then debuted in the U.S. later that fall.  He has two new singles out, "Trailer Hitch" and "Southern Gravity."

Bush also wrote and produced a very special song about a year ago that made its debut this year in a unique way.  Called, "Story of a Solider," the song depicts Bush's childhood thoughts about wanting to become a solider like his father and grandfather. After sharing the song with others, people urged him to perform it for the National Memorial Day Parade this year.

Instead, Bush decided to release the song for purchase on the Memorial Day holiday weekend with all of the proceeds going to the American Veterans Center. The organization helps preserve the stories and legacies of those who served.

Admission to the JBLM FreedomFest is open to the general public and is free. There is no additional cost to attend the show.

For more information about JBLM FreedomFest and to view a video clip of Bush performing, visit their website at www.jblmmwr.com/freedomfest/.