By Tammy Kilby
For the Times
DARLINGTON — Sunshine, the local band featuring the musical talents of Bill “Bugs” Eaton, Tom “Wichita” Bussan, and Mike “Rocky” Dunbar, is looking forward to performing at this year’s Luke Fest activities. Having the experience of entertaining audiences for over 50 years, the guys in Sunshine continue to sing the favorites throughout the generations.
“A special appreciation goes out to all the fans for the past 50 plus years,” Eaton said. He and the other members of Sunshine are planning a set of fan favorites for Luke Fest, taking place on Aug. 17. Sunshine takes the stage at 4 p.m.
Eaton and Bussan went to grade school together in Galena and have been performing music together since 1963. In the early beginnings, “The Natives” captivated audiences with their youthfulness and energy from 1965 until 1969. After a few name changes — and musicians that have since moved on — Eaton and Bussan eventually came up with the group Country Sunshine, which included their wives, Jane and Peg. Eventually they added a couple new members, and in 1976, Sunshine was established. Mike “Rocky” Dunbar and Willy Montgomery were added to the lineup. They were a successful four-man band for over 20 years. Then on Christmas Day in 1998, Montgomery passed away of lung cancer. He was a beloved member of Sunshine, whose memory lives on with the band.
Recently playing at the Darlington Golf Course, the Cove in Apple River, Wiota’s 75th Fireman’s Celebration, and Shullsburg’s Hometown Throwdown event, the guys maintain an active performing schedule, playing 70 to 80 gigs per year. Most recently, they had the honor of performing at a 50th anniversary of a couple for whom they sang on their wedding day. From 1974 through 1982, Sunshine performed 289 times at wedding receptions and dances throughout the Midwest area.
They’ve been more successful than they could ever imagine, having rediscovered another generation of fans who enjoy listening to the music they enjoy playing, and revitalizing their own youth in the way they are received by audiences. As generations have come and gone, Bussan’s son, Lucas, has performed with his guitarist dad and Sunshine a few times. He’s also a known performer from Warren, Illinois, playing with his own band, ‘Ten Gallon Hat’.
Gearing up and getting ready to perform at Luke Fest, Eaton said how much Sunshine is looking forward to providing entertainment to the audience.
“We haven’t played at Luke Fest yet. This will be our first time,” he said.
Not having delusions of grandeur, Sunshine enjoys playing for the people they love. They already know some of the local folks that will be in attendance for Luke Fest and are looking forward to making those connections again through the art of their music.
The experiences that have shaped them as musicians seem to have been good so far, and as a result, audiences have benefited from their years of entertainment. All generations seem to enjoy and benefit from a wholesome concert event, when Sunshine is in town. Sunshine can tell the stories of the music from ‘back in the day’, such as where they were when a particular song hit No. 1, where their lives were at the time, and the experiences that have shaped them into the seasoned musicians that can be heard today; although, they admit to still being young at heart. Sunshine has carried the tunes with them, having a large playlist of hits to choose from. Classic rock, Contemporary, Country, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s are all musical timeframes that still speak to the guys of Sunshine. If it’s true what they say about music keeping people young, then expect Sunshine to keep forever rocking. Their ‘Forever Rocking’ CD is available for purchase after their performance at Luke Fest 2024, on Aug. 17. They look forward to taking the stage at 4 p.m.
