Ear to the Ground: Rushad Eggleston

Ear to the Ground: Rushad Eggleston
Rushad Eggleston a.ka. "The Cello Goblin"-part mad-scientist, part musical genius. This mini-documentary explores the creative inspirations of a mind-boggling, genre-bending talent.
Produced by Beehive Productions as part of the "Ear to the Ground" series documenting Roots Music.
Sessions videos and interview filmed and recorded live in Saranac Lake, NY
Performance videos filmed and recorded live at Pendragon Theater in Saranac Lake, NY, March 2015
Captured with Peluso Microphones
For more info visit: rushad.net

[@maryaleciabriggs1848]

Oh my good lord, what a beautiful human being! Thanks for making me laugh out loud and feel alive!

[@clarkkc11]

Yes!!!!! He's a magician!

[@JonSmith-ec6rd]

​@@clarkkc112 are uky live look mm❤ www a

[@judsoncameron]

all geniuses are on the verge of losing it. this man is a modern day jester and proud of it.

[@TheBjinkins]

This man is not on the verge.

[@TerryGascay]

Like the Tempest Jester performance by Russel Brandt

[@jasonvega5797]

What a brilliant and gifted individual. I hope that he is enjoying a happy life. So many brilliant and gifted people have also struggled with emotional and behavioral issues. It's almost as if you can't have one without the other. As the mind unfolds and spills out such creative beauty, its elasticity can also make it so hard to manage everyday banal life.

[@Powderhound-cb8pb]

Well said, he is a great guy in person. Eccentric to say the least but a great guy

[@danielsymons2706]

Saw a reel of this guy cello and kazoo in a tree. Now I'm going deep into the rabbit hole.

[@sbdreamin]

Rushad is a very humble, mellow, grounded guy. He visited our shop for a couple emergency bow rehairs last night, and we had some nice conversations. He tried out a few bows, and we sponsored him by gifting him a new carbon bow that I hope he likes. He's vegan, very into nature. Just an outstanding dude who is doing his own thing. He's got some killer chops with the bow and told us he is working on 6 new bow techniques. Like many masters of an instrument, there are things he does that nobody else is likely to master. A small fact: he was the first strings player to get a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music. He's no slouch as a musician.

[@daniellerose9784]

Last night my boyfriend and I were walking home from the beach and we could hear this music from a few blocks away. We didn’t have any plans at that point so we followed it to the source which was this guy playing in a beer garden. We could only hear him through the fence until we entered, and once I saw this amazing jester I felt like a kid again. We only caught the tail end of his act. Looking him up here I feel blessed to have stumbled upon such a welcome distraction.

[@christophlieding734]

Dear Rose, Reading your comment in the year 024 in Germany and I hope we never loose angle jesters like that. Politics and changes kind of dimmed my light. But seeing true souls like that giving me more hope. Hope all is well in your live and that you found the one love. Suck up the moment and make it last. Never loose that sound of the ocean and the wind in the trees. I will check Rushad Egglestone and the likes out and keep on going. Just want to wish you the best> Gesundheit and some prayers from here. Cant believe how much changed in five years. Moments like the wild rides Rushad is talking about :' I need some this summer" or a year at the most.

[@necipfazlkarapnar3309]

It's amazing how some people find him pretentious. Dude, this is sincerity at its best. I think the real pretentious people are the boring, secretly dead people whose childhood are long gone.

[@clash1469]

Rushad Eggleston is as far from pretentious as a person can possibly be. I've met many, many musicians over my 15-year career in radio, but none more wildly creative and talented. Yet he's among the most humble and sincere people I know.

[@nathanjohnson6854]

Is this guy Tom Bombadil?

[@theforeverpuddle8754]

This guy gets art. He gets a lot actually. I can't tell if he's genius or mad but he certainly has a mastery of the cello.

[@wargasm58]

Also, he's an expert guitarist, I saw some videos that blew me away.

[@Corvo-xo4yo]

My math teacher introduced our class to this guy. My math teacher is officially the best teacher in the universe

[@lovelady151]

Hahaha that's awesome. I'm a teacher and always wondering how I can bring interesting weird things in! Validation. :)

[@caileenbrandt4789]

Who was your math teacher??

[@AlamoCityCello]

Rushad Eggleston is a master musician and cellist. I'm here to learn what I can from this unique human being. Thank you so very much for posting this inspirational video. LIFE CHANGING!

[@ellenokuda7882]

I love this guy's attitude. He's so positive and doesn't let the expectations of society hold him back.

[@brellynmuldoon8642]

people dislike this video? How? He's like a court jester with a cello.

[@ladakaraskova5474]

I know it's a joke but you realise that by saying he's on drugs etc you're reducing this amazing soul and a talented musician to a mere crazy funny guy? It's a nasty habit, doing this when a different person appears. I don't know this man, but something in his playing and the way he thinks just somehow deeply resonates with me, even though I play almost exclusively classical music. Keep up the good work, Rushad!

[@momtenjillian987]

No way on God's green earth would he have the discipline to accomplish the virtuosity he displays. He is certainly eccentric. Don't diminish his efforts by alluding to substance abuse. Shameful in so many ways

[@ReVolt_e-Vlogs]

He's a misunderstood genius!! I think he does it to soul cleanse himself, got to feel so good after screaming in tongues like that, it also shows the ones who are uptight, & take things to seriously, how can anyone's creativity, no matter how unique, anger others??? 🤔

[@blakepooler]

I know Rush and he wouldn't be offended by any of this... hahaha

[@brianj4090]

I listen to a ton of music and he’s absolutely one of my favorite musicians out there.

[@Bayers2020]

You just ruined the joke Thanks bro.

[@binkyN1]

I don't understand how Rushad doesn't have millions of views on his channel. Easily one of my favourites. What an incredible talent.

[@JonathanLippert]

I think he will soon :)

[@jtyler0]

This is what we call “ahead of their time”

[@martyfan11agnosticalienfan]

To the people saying that Rushad is on drugs... You don't have to be on drugs to imagine a world where there are chocolate cats and a language that has sentences like 'gippily gippily gaek u waek' amongst others.

[@CheGumby]

+professional troll hunter Check out Caroliner Rainbow, also not on drugs.

[@corninyourpoop]

I do stuff like that and make up words in my car when I'm alone

[@mrssibelius]

Yaee! ​@@corninyourpoop

[@lukemuffinz]

A cello shaped space ship, indeed.

[@ebisawkward]

If I ever have kids I'm 100% taking them to see this dude in concert

[@GrapplingHookJones]

I have no kids and I will 100% go to one of his concerts

[@whoziee]

He's awesome. And people saying that he's crazy probably don't even remember how to enjoy themselves.

[@ZantePrayer]

Rushad Eggleston legitimately seems like one of the most pure beings in existence. The wonder of his vast imagination is so inspiring. He absolutely spreads that joy, language and fun, and his exceptional talent constantly blows me away.

[@thomasevans3097]

"Although, one mans frozen pose, is another man's 'I get wild when you're not looking' " 5:42

[@martialaw566]

It's like fiddling but with a cello and childhood joy

[@lordfarquad420]

this guy is alan watts with a cello and a child's imagination (how much of a wiggle is a wiggle?)

[@davidstrife165]

god i love bards.

[@manafurnace]

i love the hidden and possibly accidental homestuck reference in this comment

[@michiellombaers3198]

This guy is the true jester. Equal parts goofball, virtuoso, and wise.

[@nathanieltoby6936]

He’s actually a really good classical player as well. I love that he pushes himself to new bounds. This man is amazing.

[@gregkrazanski]

what a talent. his cello style kinda reminds me of les claypool. not traditional but very incredible

[@BeehiveProductions]

Yes! We just filmed a follow-up to this, can't wait to share. His new stuff is incredible. More soon!

[@iwant2meetaliens]

I myself am a Les Claypool fan, and I thought the very same thing! I also play classical piano so it's really nice to see other eccentric classical musicians out there. Love this guy! Gained a new fan right here 💜

[@Schattenbalg]

To be honest, I'm really not sure if the guy's on drugs - but what he says is not stupid and what he plays is beautiful. It may sound ridiculous to some to imitate a squirrel, call it passion - but the truth is, those people are permanently missing out on so many aspects of life. And be it because of drugs or just because of an artist's soul, but he sees those things and turns them into tunes that sound great - and if it's drugs, then he can't be overdoing it too much - look at his fingerwork. No wreck could do that. Ever. So he's either off drugs now or at least (I know, not good, but be it) not overdoing it on a permanent basis. Anyway, I think, he's lovely :)

[@terrywaller7847]

Why does it have to be drugs? Could be he's on some reality!

[@momtenjillian987]

Why do you smear him with the label of drug addict? Are you only capable of seeing life through a judgemental lense? Open up your mind, heart and soul to realize there are folks out here who will never bend to your preconceived notions. If you can do that you may be able to enjoy the fruits of this mans efforts as much as he very obviously does

[@loftgroover9271]

pure creativity. Frank Zappa was tee total and never let his band members touch drugs..check him out if you haven't!

[@JacobTheLoofah]

Rushad does the cello equivalent of beat boxing

[@GeetarAdam]

"Another insignificance in a world where most things will never be celebrated".... I've been casually following Eggleston for a few years and it's always tempting to dismiss him as some strange hobbit/human hybrid or nether-creature... but then he goes and says profound shit like that and I realize that there is a truly perceptive and awake soul under all that noisy mess.

[@DanFrechette]

The most free spirited genius I've come across in music. He can do the boring safe stuff but why bother when there's so many walls to break through?

[@joellenhousego4639]

"Wh..wh...wheeere's my caat? These common concerns of mankind...and womankind." I like his imaginings of what ordinary mortals are preoccupied by. Even the mundane concerns he imagines are totally pure ones. Am I cold? Where's my cat?

[@terrywaller7847]

I found this completely captivating and it seems that Rushad has the heart of a true artist. What I don't understand is how one can look at this guy and determine what he smells like. Perhaps If I can understand this then I will understand all art!

[@GrapplingHookJones]

I imagine he smells like pine needles and paint

[@uns33n]

He smells like a costume closet in your imagination

[@cdub9735]

I smelled Billy Strings head in my "dream" a few weeks back.

[@clarkkc11]

Just discovered Rushad this year, 2020... Now 2021. He makes me forget "life's itch" and makes my creativity thrive. Love this man!

[@airjordanballa20]

It has been five years since I saw him play and I still remember him and his band Tornado Rider like it was yesterday! Awesome guy!

[@ChortleID]

this is everything i hoped I'd grow up to be.

[@markrossi5703]

The comments on this post reflect the soullessness of this epoch.

[@ryanjohnson7354]

Mark Rossi dude it's pretty tragic isn't it?

[@ISignedUpBefore]

This is a great package with a lot of introspective content. Love what Rushad has done for live music! Not always comfortable, he has you often looking within, for better or for worse. I have truly felt all emotions from terror to euphoria during his shows, and I am better for having been there. Visionary and truly one of the greatest creatively gifted beings of our time... See him when you can, period.

[@elladombrowner8496]

that's a really fun guy, I'd love to meet him one day!

[@Lazzie_the_Psilocybe_Deity]

This man is an truly amazing artist. I would seriously love to meet him in person.

[@davidjacksonjackson3212]

It makes me happy to still see someone who is light hearted in this depressing world

[@lkding8370]

That’s one brilliant uncaged goat.

[@ChrisJoyeMusic]

Rushed is so great. Feeling down? Happy? Need inspiration? Bored? Watch any of his videos...

[@clarkkc11]

just rewatched - he came thru Rochester again - missed him but man what a talent!

[@Impailer67]

Fun is good . we need more fun in this life..usually fun is the first thing we learn to deny ourselves, this fella seems to be an excellent teacher on how to find what we may have lost.

[@joshjaffe1796]

been lucky enough to see him 3 times, one of the most entertaining performers out there. his solo set was by far the best part of RockyGrass 2 years ago

[@nickyaponte777]

YEEEAH ! Keep spreading joyfulness Rushad ! The world needs it badly.

[@DwindleDwellandDwarf]

Bit of Madness is key...

[@adamsmith2161]

I was at one of his shows, it was epic

[@subtleoblivionmaze6744]

what was it like to watch his show?

[@davidlesliefleming5317]

"The Itch of Life" is ideology, what a great metaphor, thanks Rushad!

[@bluedragnkittn]

Now this is a musical ***artist***. I love his unbridled creativity and joy.

[@HeadcrabPie]

I love you dude. Your music really jives with me! Come perform in Sweden sometime :D

[@elicarlton-pearson8945]

I'm so fucking grateful for you Rushad! Thanks for bringing the funk and the freak to the people.

[@NINAROSA]

This is excellent :)! Thank you for putting it out there !

[@jessinotjessie]

I only discovered Rushad today and my god what a gold mine. Dude is insanely talented and entertaining. I would love to get to a place of pure self expression like this.

[@planeterry]

Seen him & his band, Tornado Rider, play a few times. If you get the chance you should definitely check out one of their shows. You'll leave impressed.

[@ErinJanus]

I love Rushad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@LalramnunkimaCE--]

Why do u have so many subscribers and views and why don't you post anymore?

[@cdub9735]

Where can one find new content?

[@003SOK]

i ask myself that alot, especially in times of questioning. loveit.

[@prkrmc6457]

I am in love with this man.

[@Kntrabssi]

I feel like this is the kind of guy who’s so naturally crazy that he doesn’t need to do drugs

[@MusicIsARainbow]

I love Rushad! So fun and talented.

[@janicekoenig9217]

How on earth were you there in Essex the other night for our silly ladies reunion? I knew even through the haze of wine that I was being transported to another realm. Glad you exist.

[@floringrad2382]

Very inspirational, you rock dude. Thank you for posting this. I love your 'uncomplexed' cello wiz.

[@fastwilly2001]

Imagination and creativity…. “I love tofu” is a favorite of mine and exactly why the mind cannot be restricted. Everything is art. Everything thing is art.

[@12speed]

Super cool.. see ya tommorow.. timeless as it is.. win your out there...

[@custommusic2433]

The Michael Hedges of Cello!!! This man is a musical creative entity.

[@bruceprigge5212]

Thanks! Love you stuff! :)

[@PrincessReka]

[@movadoband]

I love your music, Rushad!

[@christophlieding734]

Danke Rushad from Germany. Cant keep some people down and you are one of them. Best wishes and the power to keep going on giving people good feeling and taking them on some wild rides. Thanks for the upload and dont let that light go out keep on shining.

[@christophlieding734]

Here by myself and laughing out loud , seldom in this 2024 and the change I have done. Great I stumbled on this. Dont be a goat in a pen rather run like a rabbit. It worked for me : got distracted". Hope times get better and the world will be easy and kind for our kids.

[@kizzy3563]

"Where's my cat" Damn, that's like all I think about. This guy gets me.

[@effieess2776]

Chaotic good bard

[@KukuauStudio]

Who doesn't love a good free radical! Stoked to have Rushadicus & his cello shaped spaceship at Kukuau Studio next month!

[@TheZiggZagg]

Your a living legend 💙

[@AbirTarafdar]

What a dude!

[@smartersean]

I'm so late to this party... He is so fucking brilliant

[@juteliabarbarski2605]

This man is amazing!

[@Leenie333]

🥰🥰🥰I got sucked in with his relatable story of finding his mission and purpose in his name. Beautiful thing when each of us finds our unique light and especially that he's sharing his through his talent as a musician. 💜#MusicHeals Bravo, @rushadicus💜👍🏽

[@lisamarie7136]

Love his demo of advanced classical cello and rock lololololol!!

[@marispini7275]

Rushad Eggleston is my new favorite human! Shear brilliance!

[@jeffcouture6048]

"Like a goat putting himself in a pen", I love it! What smart goat would do that.

[@SpencerSmith-hj1km]

I love how this guy will not accept comlliments from people. No ego, just magic

[@jordanhamiltonmusic5919]

Wow. It was cool to hear what goes behind his set

[@momoplaysvideogames6396]

I love this guy!

[@gnomethy]

This guy is amazing.

[@ottodude555]

I really love his cello playing but my goodness what a cookoo!

[@tessarae9127]

The war on drugs is essentially a war against consciousness... This guy is living proof of how taboo it is to really be unencumbered. It should not be wrong to literally not say a lick of any known language if you feel like it, or to dress like a jester, or to literally do anything weird as long as it’s not harming anyone which I think Rush has mastered. I feel this so hard. He reminds me of my cousin who committed suicide... you surround yourself by the wrong people and you can end up completely ostracized... it’s not about drugs at all in this case, it’s about the fact that it’s dangerous to be strange. I respect how Rush seems to have created enough strong connections in his life with people to be able to rise and have his voice, to be able to express himself as truly as possible. Most people can be strongly criticized and ostracized if they wear one piece of clothing that breaks social rules, so it’s no wonder we have so many people denying these HUGE parts of their identity such as their spiritual beliefs (you are allowed to break from what your parents taught you when you were too little to know better), their sexuality (who cares, it’s your life, only you truly know what can make you happy), or maybe lifestyle choices (not wanting a mortgage doesn’t mean you’re a deadbeat) etc, etc... This guy seems to break all of the rules and he’s clearly a genius, needless to say, I am thoroughly intrigued and inspired and to make so many others feel the same way in this day and age is huge.

[@markderksen4130]

This guy has some serious skill. Real jokers are incredibly clever.

[@cellojoe]

8:15 - No artist wants to put a label on itself...It's like a goat putting itself in a pen...and what smart goat would do that?

[@psychobillyCadillac88]

this guys is out of his mind i love it

[@TheAwkwardSacOfDucks]

Your style of playing makes your cello sound like a taglharpa!

[@metahed]

I spent the whole video just trying to figure out what the heck it says on his knuckles. JARK JICK??

[@dirtbanjo]

+DaedalusVer2 Yes, Jark and Jick.

[@wrenhybertson6022]

Yep lol

[@SilasF1sher]

My pops likes to host house concerts, so about a year ago this dude performed at my house and kicked it with us afterwards

[@carlrs15]

the smell must have been enough to peel the wallpaper off your walls

[@michiellombaers3198]

Ok, now I'm jealous ... ;-)

[@chrisjackson1023]

Lol he's probably the SANEST person I've listened to in a long time!!

[@JamesLaveryPhotography]

I really enjoyed this video! Reminds me of peter pan..

[@biljanataneski6043]

Fantastico ❤

[@itsyourmajestycat6164]

Radagast the Brown IRL

[@samuelkinsey8012]

Im a fan!

[@taylorchasesteele]

I love your ability to do what you want, and no one can give you advice because only you fully know what's going to happen next. I envy your skills and journey of imagination, but on the same accord, i have my own journey to complete. My kids inspire my wacky imagination when reading books or just being a dad. I will say i feel so much better about my words being made up and fun when i sing weird stuff. Also, rabbits rock!

[@GrapplingHookJones]

I would love the chance to meet Rushad

[@nikitabrincat1284]

This guy is like the male version of phoebe from friends