"Whiskey River" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Johnny Bush. It was a hit for both Bush and his friend Willie Nelson.

"Whiskey River"
Single by Johnny Bush
from the album Whiskey River
B-side"Right Back in Your Arms Again"[1]
ReleasedJuly 1972 (1972-07)
GenreCountry, roots country
Length2:32
LabelRCA Victor #0745
Songwriter(s)Johnny Bush
Paul Stroud
Producer(s)Jerry Bradley
Johnny Bush singles chronology
"I'll Be There"
(1972)
"Whiskey River"
(1972)
"There Stands the Glass"
(1972)
"Whiskey River"
Single by Willie Nelson
from the album Willie and Family Live
B-side"Under the Double Eagle"[2]
Released1978
GenreCountry, outlaw country, roots country
Length3:38
LabelColumbia #10877
Songwriter(s)Johnny Bush
Paul Stroud
Producer(s)Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson singles chronology
"There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight"
(1978)
"Whiskey River"
(1978)
"Sweet Memories"
(1979)

Johnny Bush version

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Bush released the song in 1972 through RCA Victor and included it on his album Whiskey River. Bush later re-recorded the song in 1981 and released it through the Delta label, with "When My Conscience Hurts the Most" on the b-side.[1]

Willie Nelson versions

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Willie Nelson first recorded "Whiskey River" for the album Shotgun Willie in 1973. In 1978, a recording from Nelson's live album Willie and Family Live was released as a single through Columbia Records.[2] "Whiskey River", despite not being a Nelson original, has come to be regarded as one of his signature songs[3][4] and a concert staple. "Whiskey River" has been the standard opening song during Nelson's concerts since "around 1974."[5]

Nelson performed the song during the pilot episode of the long-running music television series Austin City Limits—marking the first song to be performed on the program.[6]

Chart performance

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Johnny Bush

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Chart (1972) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 14
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 7
Chart (1981) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 92
  • ARe-recording.

Willie Nelson

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Chart (1978) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] 12
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 3
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Willie Nelson's version of the song is featured in Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V game soundtrack. [9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. ^ a b Whitburn, p. 294
  3. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Johnny Bush biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  4. ^ Daniels, Charlie. Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country, section: Johnny Bush (see Google Books link - page number not available.
  5. ^ "Willie Nelson's Long Encore". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  6. ^ "KGSR Rebrands as Austin City Limits Radio". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  7. ^ a b "Johnny Bush Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Willie Nelson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "Soundtrack and Radio - GTA 5 Wiki Guide - IGN".