EPISODE 82 — Aaron Byrd: Signals, Scotch & Slipknot’s Butcher at RushFest

From Kansas City Signals in ’82 to the inner circle table at RUSHFest Canada 2025, Aaron Byrd has lived a Rush fan’s dream journey. Raised on stoner brothers’ vinyl, baptized by Hemispheres, and blown away by Neil’s fortress of drums at his very first Rush show, Aaron carried that passion through 16 Rush concerts, friendships, and eventually straight into the heart of the Rush family at Massey Hall.

But Aaron’s story doesn’t stop with the music—he’s also a professional butcher from Des Moines with a surprising client: Slipknot’s Corey Taylor. Yep, this week we’re slicing through prog and pork chops as Aaron shares:

🥩 His Rush origin story and why Signals and Clockwork Angels both left a permanent mark.

🥩 The legendary “Professor” whisky auction at RUSHFest—and how a bidding war turned into a charity win (and a signed bottle heading his way).

🥩 What it means to be welcomed instantly into the Rush community, including heartfelt moments with Nancy Peart and Jonathan Dinklage.

🥩 Life as Corey Taylor’s hometown butcher, and why locally raised “happy hogs” matter as much as a perfect guitar solo.

🥩 The infamous night Alex Lifeson spotted him yawning in the front row—and flipped him off.

THIS WEEK'S SONG

The Wheel gives us Workin’ Them Angels from Snakes & Arrows—a perfect soundtrack for Aaron’s story of miles traveled, risks taken, and the community of fans and friends that make the journey worthwhile.

SCHATZ'S SCRATCH LIST - RUSH TRIBUTE BANDS

Scratch 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!)

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