In loving memory of the The Late Great Mr. Fish...

Mr. Fish first went on stage and played the washtub bass in the late 60’s for his high school vaudeville show. That was all it took to develop a lifelong passion for jug band music and entertaining. He was able to live this passion by playing jug band music for over 40+ years. In recent years, he was thrilled to have this unique form of music celebrated in his hometown of Louisville, KY with the National Jug Band Jubilee.

In the words of a fan, "Mr. Fish’s love for music and entertaining turned audience members into instant fans, and he leaves behind a legion of grieving fans who became friends."

His fans miss him - his friends miss him - his family misses him.

Published in The Courier-Journal on November 15, 2009

DRURY, G. STEVEN "MR. FISH," 59, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2009 with his loving wife Alison at his side.

He was born in Evansville, IN but lived in Louisville for most of his life. He and Alison owned the Hitching Post Saddle Shop in Middletown for 20 years, however Jug Band Music was his true passion. He entertained people across the United States and in Canada as "The Amazing Mr. Fish" with the Juggernaut Jug Band for more than 40 years. The music that meant so much to him lives on in the many recordings that the jug band produced.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Drury.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Alison; daughter, Heather Leoncini (Michael); son, Matthew; mother, Dorothy; brother, John (Bonnie); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and fans around the world. He also leaves behind his brothers in music - the other members of the Juggernaut Jug Band.

Mr. Fish wanted to have his life celebrated by his friends and family. A party will be held in his memory on Tuesday, from 4-8 p.m. at Park Place Restaurant at Louisville Slugger Field , 401 E. Main St., 40202.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the National Jug Band Jubilee, 218 S. Keats Ave., Louisville, KY 40206. Mr. Fish was very involved in the planning of recent Jubilees and the preservation of Jug Band Music in Louisville.

“I will miss his great voice and quick wit until I leave this world. Fish set the bar very high for negotiating business for the band. He taught me to value our services, value our products (CD's, videos, ball caps, T-shirts) and value our relationships. He worked very hard at building trust with our clients. Once the deal was set, they had nothing to worry about. This band is his legacy. We all take pride what he helped create we are family and I will always be grateful for the time we had together and what I learned from him.

Thank you, Fish. Love you. Miss you.”

Roscoe

"Thank you Mr. Fish for giving a young, wild, and ambitious musician a chance to join the Juggernauts. It took me a while to get it together but you always had a stern hand to keep your love (The Juggernaut Jug Band) up to your standards. I know we didn't always see eye-to-eye but in the end we had a great time and made some great music together.

Roscoe, Smiley, Dennis, and I are doing what we can to fill your shoes but it takes all of us and still feel as though we don't quite get it done like you. There has been and always will be only one Mr. Fish. I have redesigned the logo to include two fish so that you will always be memorialized on everything Juggernaut Jug Band. You legacy shall live on.

Thank you Mr. Fish, love and miss ya!"

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