NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Shawna Russell Official Website) - Country-rock singer/songwriter, Shawna Russell, fit a 3-day promotional blitz into her busy performing schedule this week to promote her forthcoming CD, Goddess, slated for release March 4.
Russell, who makes a living fronting a band with her father/guitar player/co-writer Keith, and her uncle/co-writer/producer/bass player/co-manager, Tim, has seen her profile in the music business raise dramatically in the past few days. Russell's Goddess, for which she co-wrote 12 of the 13 songs, is getting a lot of attention - even before it's official release. It is the realization of a dream she's persued most of her life, having played professionally for over a decade.
The buzz surrounding Russell is not only about her voice, her natural beauty, and her writing skills, but also the fact that her talent attracted musical royalty to come to Oklahoma City to record Goddess with her, including veteran drummer Russ Kunkel (James Taylor, Carly Simon); bassist David Santos (John Fogerty, Elton John); guitarist Jon Conley (Wynonna), and Grammy-winning vocal engineer Julian King (Faith Hill, Tim McGraw). Goddess was mixed by Nathaniel Kunkel (The Police, Diana Ross).
On her first evening in Nashville , Russell learned that the Nashville Music Guide had given Goddess a 7-star review in their February/March issue.
On day two, Russell stopped by the offices of the CMA to join the organazation, and collected her copy of their February/March Close Up magazine, where she's included in their 'Who New To Watch in 2008' feature. Then it was off to an interview with Brian Covert from the television show, Inside Music Row, at a local club. Moments after the interview, without missing a beat, Russell stepped on stage, with no soundcheck, and wowed the crowd of regulars and heavyweight music industry representatives who have been following her buzz. Major radio promoters from both the country and Americana formats, along with hit songwriters, publishers, and managers watched this veteran talent demonstrate what the buzz is all about. After her intense and passionate performance – and before she left the building – a team of top national radio promoters had committed to work her project.
On day three, Russell and crew performed for the staff of Country Weekly magazine at an in-office 'meet-and-greet.' With typical ease and professionalism, she impressed the gathering with four songs from the CD, and shared a cake with them which featured a replica of the cover art from Goddess. Afterward, at 4:30 in the afternoon, the Russells loaded their van and headed back to Oklahoma where they will perform on Friday night in Claremore and Saturday night in Tulsa .
It was a extremely successful few days in a career that has seen Russell courted with big record deals that never seemed to pan out, and challenged by the rigors and difficulties of making a career as a performer. On the flip-side of the 'American Idol' approach, Russell is making it the hard way – she's earning it. She and her family did not let the disappointments along the way stop her. They helped her to write the songs. They formed a label behind her. And they literally willed Goddess into life. The Russells call it 'The American Ideal': Work hard. Never give in. Never say die. Make your own success!'
And like a cherry on top of the dessert – on their way home, the Russells learned that Goddess had just received a 5-star rating from All Music Guide - one of the top "bibles" of the music industry.
'The American Ideal' - it fits Shawna Russell to a tee.
Radio programmers can listen to, and download selections from Shawna Russell Goddess at: https://www.airplaydirect.com/ShawnaRussell
Visit Shawna Russell's official website: https://www.shawnarussell.com/
