Episode 99. Hope

On this gloriously unhinged episode of Rush Rash, Chaz and Schatz throw all sense of structure out the window and celebrate Haggis Day the only way they know how: by heeding the call of one Steve Brown to invite Paul Beaulieu and make the Haggis Shack the World's Deli in honor of Robbie Burns' Birthday!A full detour involving wild haggis, vegetarian haggis, Robert Burns, bagpipes, kilts, lamb lungs (allegedly), neeps, tatties, whisky gravy, and the eternal mystery of how Scotland continues to function at all. Cultural education may occur. Digestion is discussed. Poetry is threatened and delivered. No empty words here.Once the haggis smoke clears, however, the episode pivots hard into serious Rush business—and there is a lot of it.Steve and Paul unload a whirlwind of updates from the front lines of the Moving Pictures and RushFest universe, including:Massive touring plans and behind-the-scenes realities of running one of the busiest Rush tribute bands on the planetMajor announcements for RushFest Scotland and RushFest Canada, including venues, dates, and an absolutely stacked lineup of guestsAppearances and involvement from Rush inner-circle legends including Terry Brown, Hugh Syme, Kevin J. Anderson, Nancy and Judy Peart, and moreUpdates on Songs for Neil, including upcoming volumes, new contributors, and the staggering amount of money raised for brain cancer researchA brand-new solo piano Rush album in the works, with artwork by Hugh SymeThe return of The Professor whisky with Volume 2 officially on the wayCharity auctions, ticket giveaways, and community-driven fundraising that somehow keep getting bigger, louder, and more meaningfulEventually—because it is Rush Rash—the wheel spins.THIS WEEK’S SONG🎵 “Hope” (Snakes & Arrows)Alex Lifeson’s delicate 12-string instrumental lands at exactly the right moment, prompting reflections on alternate tunings, restraint, beauty, loss, resilience, and why this quiet piece carries so much emotional weight. Guitars are fetched. Feelings happen. The wheel, once again, proves it knows more than anyone in the room. All wrapped into one very Scottish, very Rush-brained celebration. We might not have played How Many Times Did They Play It Live (113 Chaz wins again!) becasue the BPM Monkey was nowhere to be seen, but rthe wheel did bestow a new song for Steve to learn. And in the end...Haggis was honored.News was delivered.Hope prevailed.Slàinte. 🥃SCHATZ'S SCRATCH LIST - RUSH TRIBUTE BANDSScratch your itch to hear RUSH music played live by going to check out any of these great RUSH Tribute Bands - these bands are keeping the community and the music alive - the most current, curated, and rockin' list of RUSH Tribute Bands in the world! Yeah!⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here: ⁠Schatz's Scratch List⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠(And say it 5 times fast!)GO BONELESSCertified boneless in the state of Ohio by the Boneless Podcasting Network. Go Boneless. Boneless Makes a Better Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.