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2008
April 8th:
WR joins SellABand, a new site dedicated to a unique independent music
business model where "Believers" invest in an artist at $10 a share to
reach a $50k goal. Once achieved, the artist then utilizes that money - with the
help of SellABand independent A&R, a producer and other staff - to record
and promote a new CD. The concept is already attracting a large number of
artists and a 5 million dollar investment from a European company. Woody has,
within his first week, reached #8 on the "Highest Gains" charts at
SellABand.com. Check it out from a link on the home
page.
March 24th:
Saxophonist extraordinaire, Steve Miller, has moved on to Chicago. He
worked with WR's group for a couple of years performing throughout Texas. The
only recorded track featuring Steve's playing in the group can be found on
"Live at the Bugle Boy - Volume 1". He'll be missed on the
bandstand and "out of the ring", as well. Best of luck to you,
Steve.
Russell continues to bring his guitar chops to Marc Utter's Blackland gigs and you can check out Marc's tunes at his MySpace page right here.
Archives 2007:
September 12th:
"Songwriters Series Live" is a live concert, internet broadcast
that will be featuring WR this coming Saturday, the 15th, at 8:00 pm. The shows
details and link can be found on the "Tour" page.
August 25th:
Marc Utter is touring a bit more of Central Texas late this summer. Woody
brings his guitar chops to the mix and the band continues to tighten up. You
must check out a truly refreshing TX songwriter and a terrific band working it
out on the road before the summer slips away. Plans to record are in the works
according to Utter.
July 27th:
"In The Music Room", an internet show dedicated to performing
songwriters, hosted Woody during a recent tour stop in Dallas. The half-hour
interview and "in-studio" performance can be heard on the Media
(Listen) page. Special thanks to Randy Tredway and Helen Kennedy for their
efforts to promote WR's music and for their generous hospitality.
July 20th:
The WR quartet has expanded into a quintet with the addition of the
drumming talents of Doug Marcis for several upcoming shows. The debut as a five-piece band was
at The Bugle Boy in La Grange, Texas, for which there are now several video's
culled from the performance and posted on YouTube. "In The Name Of
Victory", one of Russell's newer pieces, is a somewhat scathing commentary
composed after watching "Control Room", a documentary about media
coverage at the onset of the war in Iraq. The video is the first
"formal" release of the song and all of the footage is brought to you
courtesy of Lane Gosnay at The Bugle Boy. We thank you, Lane, and we extend a
big group hug to Doug.
June 19th:
WR has joined Marc
Utter's band as guitarist. Drummer Doug
Marcis, who also performs with Woody, and renowned bassist Steve Zirkel complete the lineup. Catch Marc's shows
around Texas.
March 26th:
A friend, photographer and general music guru, John Henderson passed away
on March 1st due to chronic health issues. Photos of WR taken by John can be
found on the Gallery page - both taken in -96 and '98. John was an avid music
fan whose eclectic interests brought music as diverse as John Handy, Four Men
and A Dog and Richard Buckner to Russell's attention. He also played bass,
though officially retired from "the scene".
"I will remember John fondly as a guy who, with humorous ease, viewed his mortality as a subtle pain in the ass to maintain. He would loan me four, five CD's at a time of his latest musical discovery to study, absorb and find inspiration in. And, by God, he wanted them back after the weekend." - WR
January 10th:
A live track, the first commercially available live recording of
Russell's career, is available on "Live at The Bugle Boy - Vol. 1". The
tune features a performance from the quartet of Benton, Bennett, Russell and the
newest member, Steve Miller on tenor sax. It is currently the only recording to
feature Miller and is a slightly extended version of "We May Never
Know", with it's ambient intro highlighting a taste of WR's guitar work.
Find it on the Buy CD's/Merchandise page.
Archives 2006:
September 2nd:
Kweevak.com's "Music Projects of the Year" list recognizes
"Salt" as an "Editor's Choice Top 50" CD release of
2006.
July
21st:
"Salt" has been added to the Radio Free Texas playlist and we
encourage everyone to check it out and request anything you'd like from the
album, though they lean pretty steady on the country side of Texas music. With
that noted, we might suggest you request Parts and Labor, Short Trip or Get On
With It. They make it very simple; just search for Woody Russell on the playlist
This station reports their charts to the Roots Music Report which helps in
drawing industry attention to WR's music, so your repeated requests really do
matter.
June
28th:
With shows throughout Texas this summer, Russell kicked off a regional
tour with a TV appearance on San Antonio's KENS 5 "Great Day SA"
morning show. Following that, Anderson Fair, a Houston venue that has hosted
some of the finest in Texas including one of WR's personal fav's - Lyle Lovett -
was a '"really good time, despite the late drive home". Austin, Luling, Dallas
and La Grange will be on the map for WR and his band for the remainder of this
summer. New Orleans saxophonist, Steve Miller, joins the group for most dates.
The once trio now expands into a quartet this weekend with Steve's debut at The
Coffee Plant. "This cat can really play and he brings something very, very
hip to the sound", notes Russell. "I'm very happy to welcome him into
the group. I've got an outstanding band, of the highest order, and I feel
honored to take the stage with each of them individually or as a
group."
May
27th:
WR had a great trip to NYC; he relayed stories of terrific audiences,
nice venues and great pizza. He and the band are motoring around Texas the first
half of summer: Houston (solo), Luling (band), Dallas (band). Also, word has it
that a horn player may be included in the lineup shortly... the plot thickens.
Check the tour dates for details.
April
29th:
Woody is off to NYC in May for two shows, Pete's Candy Store on the 15th
and The Cutting Room on the 17th. The latter is a performance for Craig Haft's
Songwriter's Soundstage, filmed for the Barry Z Show. WR will be performing with
Brooklyn based singer-songwriter, Jeremiah
Birnbaum, at Pete's on Monday night. Come on out and catch WR's first NYC
shows.
February 20th:
WR and his wife, Jeanne, welcomed their new baby, Lily Caitlin, into the
world on February 11th. The family is at home in Austin, but WR plans to be out
on the road again for summer and fall tour dates throughout the
country.
Check out the new "Video" section of the Listen page for a live WR performance on Jollyville City Limits. Also, a new audio "Exclusive" - an interview with FM Odyssey host, Fred Migliore, about Woody's latest release, "Salt".
January 23rd:
The New Year got rolling with a gig at WR's favorite new venue, The
Bugle Boy, in La Grange. A wonderful show highlighting the duo work of
Russell and bassist, Tom Benton. This venue is "a must attend" for
diehard WR fans. Thanks to those who have supported the music there. On the 21st
Russell and his trio performed at the Francis-Ainsworth
House, a beautiful historic home in downtown Luling, Texas. Again, a perfect
setting for an evening of Russell's music. The trio was cooking, indeed. Thanks
to all who helped welcome '06 in style by supporting WR at these
concerts.
Archives 2005:
November 10th:
Woody Russell's newest CD, "Salt", has been nominated for
"Album
of the Year" - 2006 Independent Music Awards - in the
folk/singer-songwriter category. What some consider to be the Grammy's of
independent music, this nomination is obviously great news for WR.
November 2nd:
"Salt" is a featured album and review at Kweevak.com.
Check out KUT's original Podcast series "Radio
Without Borders" this week for a live performance of "Short
Trip" recorded during WR's last visit to the station. Several November shows
coming up, including a benefit at Central Market for the National Organization
to treat A-T. A new show has been added at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, Texas; a
great venue that hosts a number of stellar artists such as Eliza Gylkison.
Derek Sivers of CDBaby.com reported that revenue generated from independent CD sales directly benefiting the victims of Katrina has been paid by check the American Red Cross. The grand total is $205,060! Thank you for supporting this effort by purchasing one of Woody's CD's at CDBaby. As you can see, every purchase has greatly helped this cause.
October 19th
:
WR was warmly received at last week's shows in Austin. Thanks to
his live in-studio appearance on KUT, many new fans came out to the Thursday
evening and Sunday afternoon performances. Many, many thanks to all of
you.
The critics are really embracing Woody's latest album, "Salt". New reviews keep coming in and you'll find the updates on the Press page as we receive them.
A nation-wide radio campaign, focusing on your local NPR stations, is in full swing beginning this week. If you're an NPR listener, you may just here some cuts from the new album on your favorite station and possibly an interview/review segment on programs such as "Fresh Air" or "All Things Considered". If so, please contact the station and let them know you'd like to hear more from Woody Russell. Also, feel free to contact us and let us know what and where you heard it out there in radio-land.
September 23rd :
A deeply heartfelt thanks to those of you who have purchased CD's on-line
through CDBaby during the last 3 weeks. You have contributed to the Katrina
relief efforts by doing so, as all profits from those sales went to the American
Red Cross. Unfortunately, Rita is now bearing down on the Texas coast and
soaking New Orleans yet again. Your continued support is greatly appreciated and
sales of both "Time
To Go" and "...as
simple as that" will remain on the contributions list indefinitely; all
proceeds going to aid the relief efforts in the region. 
Several dates in Oregon prove to be a fine way to introduce the new album, "Salt", to fans in the Northwest. WR was warmly received at the Sisters Folk Festival, despite the cold weather. Portland's Green Room proved to be another excellent show with a very supportive full house. The Domino Room in Bend, however, was equally as much of a highlight. Woody opened for internationally renowned slide guitar master, Roy Rogers and his band, the Delta Rhythm Kings. Another full house of enthusiastic fans made for a memorable evening of great music. Many thanks to all who came out to the shows.
A glowing new review of "Salt" from music writer Keith Hannaleck is available at many websites including Blues Matters and Muzik Reviews where it was the "Pick Of The Week" for September 15th.
September 1st :
Woody Russell is giving all
profits from sale of his CD's to help aid victims of hurricane Katrina. For a limited
time, he has joined what is becoming thousands of artists and Derek Sivers,
founder of CDBaby, in this cause. If you would like to help out, simply buy any
of the CD's and a substantial donation from each sale will be made at
the first of each month to the Red Cross relief effort in the region. In the
words of Mr. Sivers, "You may think that a few sales won't help, but with
thousands of musicians banded together to do this, I think it will help a LOT of
people get their lives back together after this disaster." Thanks for your
compassion in advance.
August
21st :
WR receives a 5 star review on the International Acoustic Music Awards website!
Woody Russell has also been added to internet radio playlists at BuzzMusic.com
at Live365.
August
15th :
The official release date for "Salt" has been set for Tuesday, August
23rd! Thanks to all the fans in Newport who took home advanced copies.
T-shirts will also be made available for purchase to commemorate the release of
'Salt".
Two new articles from the Mercury and Newport Daily News about Woody's Newport appearance and the new album are posted. You'll find links to these articles on the Press page. Of the festival show Russell says, "Newport was amazing, as to be expected. Danny and I were well received by the festival audience and for me, meeting Richard Thompson, giving him a copy of Salt, was really the icing on the cake. In fact, meeting Del McCoury, Patty Griffin, Bela Fleck, Jim Lauderdale, The Holmes Brothers and more, including the festival coordinators, was wonderful. We watched Costello take the stage from behind the scenes and that was like a little back seat rush, you know. Seemed like the perfect way to introduce the new album to the world. Thanks to the kind folks from Jersey who returned this year to catch my set after seeing last year's brief performance. Both the familiar and the new fans were very gracious and kind. I deeply appreciate the warm reception and getting to meet you all. Dad, it was great to see you, too."
Woody is a featured artist on Sonicbids.com this week.
August
1st and earlier:
A new, in-depth Liner Notes
page is available. It has a lot of detail
about the new recording. If you didn't see the link on the home page, follow the above link.
Excerpts from "Salt", including one full length track, are posted on the
Listen
page, as well.
Woody Russell returns to Newport and Toronto this summer, as well as a newly scheduled date for the Sister's Folk Festival in early September. June 8-11th, WR performed 3 shows in Toronto, including one showcase at Free Times Cafe for the NXNE Festival. He returned to the Black Swan for two shows, including one with the very talented Laura Fernandez. A glowing review of the show has been posted on the Press page.
On, Sunday, August 7th he takes the stage at the mother of all folk festivals, Newport, to open the biggest day of the festival. This years roster includes Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Richard Thompson and Bela Fleck to just name a few.
"It's really a huge break for me and I am honored to have been invited back," says Woody. "To be on the roster with so many respectable, major artists that have influenced my own work is amazing. It will also mark the release of Salt, so that will be one hell of a CD release party. I can't think of a better way to kick off a new album than with the Newport audience."
The latest, greatest music download technology is here and it's known as "Podcasting". Naturally, Woody didn't want to be left out of the iPod scene. So for all you iPod sporting music lovers you'll find a link to WR's "Podcast debut" on the Listen page courtesy of music4ipods.com.
Final sessions are underway for Russell's latest CD to be entitled, "Salt". With an expected release date in August of '05, the recording features a new band including Danny Bennett on lap-steel guitar and a newcomer to the WR camp, Tom Benton, on upright bass. Megan Melara also makes an appearance joining WR on vocals for several songs. An in-depth article about the new album will be featured here at woodyrussell.com as we get closer to the release date.
WR knocked the audience out at Toronto's Winterfolk Festival in early February. Special thanks to John Fraser, official festival photographer, for the following review of Woody's performance:
"He was freaking great... yes, he was! As the Festival Photographer I had to be at as many shows as possible. Woody got the only standing ovation that I saw. In a standing room only setting. Winterfolk in the first year had zero slouches for talent and that has carried on through 'til this year. There is some awesome talent each year and Woody is right up there at the top. After his showcase on Saturday evening, he was invited to play a few songs at an after party; a gathering full of his new Canadian musical peers. He had to follow Jack De Keyser, one of our Juno ( Canadian answer to Grammy ) Award Winners in the Blues Category. Woody handled the task... period. Unbeknownst to Woody, the guy that was sitting in on bass while Woody played is also one of our countries top 6 string guitarists, Danny Marks. Danny was impressed. I am impressed. The people I corralled to his gig are impressed."
Of the festival, Woody says, "It was a great gathering of talent and kind hearted folks who were tuned in to the vibe of the whole event. Thankfully, record numbers of fans were braving the cold to get to Danforth St. The packed venue, the standing ovation and the gracious support of the Canadian audience, not to mention the festival's producer and volunteer staff, was more than I could have asked for. I am eager to return to Canada for more touring as soon as I can."
You may have noticed the second CD release, "A Thousand One-Eighties", missing from the CD page. As WR explains, a long struggle with whether or not to pursue further promotion of the album has been resolved by pulling it from the catalogue.
"To pull the CD has been a difficult decision to make, taking years to sort out. But, I had to focus on what makes artistic sense to me at this point in my career. I feel that album falls too short of the expectations I have of my recorded work. It is in serious need of a remix, at the very least. I take full responsibility for it's significant flaws. It's tough to shelve your own work, but so many others in the industry, with better insight than I, have agreed that doing so may result in better performance for the rest of my CD's. It's as much a business decision as a personal, artistic move. To those who have supported and do enjoy the album, thank you. You are dedicated fans, indeed. To everyone involved in the process of making the CD, thank you for enduring the process and for understanding it's ultimate demise. The last few copies available are still selling at Amazon.com. When they're gone, that's it."
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