Bush Hawg Caught in Japan Earthquake

When Japan was rocked by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11, RCA Nashville's new group, Bush Hawg was in the midst of a two-week tour of Japan and Guam for Armed Forces Entertainment. The horrific quake struck while the group was loading in for a performance at Yokota Air Base, 30 miles from Tokyo, stranding them at the air base. Their survival instincts kicking in, the six members of the group -- Jim Phipps, Russ Caldwell, Craig Hand, Shaun Ames, Alex Wilshire and Ben Helton -- immediately threw themselves into helping Red Cross volunteers and Army personnel prepare for relief workers and refugees.

"Earthquake scared the hell out of us but the band is safe here in Japan, thanks for your prayers," the group relayed to fans the day after, via their Facebook page. "Show at the Misawa AB has been canceled, it's under water! Stranded here at the Yokota Air Base for a few days but we're still able to help. Spent the afternoon with the Army and Red Cross volunteering & helping prepare barracks for UN relief workers and refugees. Crazy couple of days here!"

On Monday (March 14), the band's producer Michael Knox updated fans on their Facebook page, with the good news that the guys had made it out and were safe and sound in Guam.

Bush Hawg are currently recording their debut album with Knox, with a release date slated for later this year.