Russ performs live mainly at private events and festivals as a solo singer/guitarist. Occasionally, he may be accompanied by his wife, Lynn, on percussion.
Influences
Primary influences were the Beatles, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Jim Croce, Jimmy Buffet, The Eagles, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Jr., Alabama, and Garth Brooks.
Songwriting influences were Lyle Lovette, Hal Ketchum, Eddy Raven, John Prine, Tony Arata, Tom Schuyler, Dolly Parton, Nanci Griffith, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Don Schlitz, and Jeffrey Steele.
Sounds Like
Some folks say that Russ sounds like a young Gordon Lightfoot on some songs. Russ has a voice range probably closer to that of Jimmy Buffet or Hal Ketchum. Personally, Russ thinks he sounds a lot more like Russ James than anyone else. However, the songs he writes could easily be recorded in the stylings of Merle Haggard, Tarvis Tritt or Alan Jackson.
A native of Wilmington, NC, Russ James has been writing songs and performing for over 30 years. After a busy 2-year run in the early '80s with the Stillwater Country Trio, and passing on a one-song deal in Nashville in 1983 to raise a family, he took a telecom job in Raleigh, NC. Still living in the Raleigh area, he continues to write songs and pursue that elusive publishing deal in Nashville. In the summer of 2007, he released "Carolina Backroads", a CD of 13 original songs on his own independent label, Shaky Legz Music. His title track "Carolina Backroads" was recently re-released on a Quickstar Productions "Chill Out" compilation CD. He’s an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) and is affiliated with BMI and the NC Songwriters Cooperative.
Russ James - Singer/Songwriter's Friend Space (Randomized)
Stopping by to wish you a fantastic Thanksgiving week!!! Hope all is going great with you!!! Check my schedule to see if I am coming to your town on the 3rd leg of my radio tour!!! Check out my newest single Whipping Post on Texas radio NOW!!! I also hope to see you out at Rowdy Bucks in Crosby Texas Saturday November 28th 2009 9:30 The show will also be streamed live from www.susanhickman.com Check it out if you cant make it!!! Hope to see you there!!! Love, ~Susan Hickman www.susanhickman.com www.reverbnation.com/susanhickman www.twitter.com/susanhickman
You are AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for being a friend!!! Hope you are having a great summer!!! I sure am, Hope to hear from you soon!!!
Wrapped Up In Me is #31 on the New Music Weekly Country Main Chart!!!! I am also #12 on the top 30 Indie Chart this week!!! It is on radio stations across the nation, you can request it now!!!!! Also, If you are around Friday August 28th I'll be having a big show at Tumbleweed Texas with the Spiffingtons in Houston Texas I really hope to see you there!!! Love ~Susan www.susanhickman.com
Heyy how are you?? I reaalllllyyy need your help!... I have one week left in this contest I am in to open up for Little Big Town on their tour and could really use a vote from ya. If you have any free time to Id really appreciate it. I put the voting box under my music player so it should be easy to find, but if not let me know and ill help ya
