|
David Russell
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
||||
|
News: David honored the memory of Doc Watson by playing and singing "Deep River Blues" with Steve Kilby-on a live simulcast on WPAQ-FM at the 41st Annual Mt. Airy, NC Fiddler's Convention 2012 David awarded 4th Place/55 in Guitar at the 41st Annual Mt. Airy Fiddler's Convention Awarded 1st place in Fingerpicking and 2nd Place in Flatpicking at the Florida Old Time Music Competition 2012
Singer, songwriter, performer
David Russell has weathered the changing tides of progressive acoustic music. David began classical guitar
at 6, and developed his skills in blues, rock, folk, jazz and country genres on several instruments as well as guitar. His
first professional performance at 13, he made it a point to absorb and learn from wherever he had a chance- always open, always
learning and listening. A turning point for him came at 18 in what he describes
as “a not entirely mis-spent youth on the road” at the Old Time Picking Parlor in Nashville, when he heard Norman
Blake with the then-named Dobrolic Plectral Society (the future Aereoplane) with Tut Taylor, John Hartford & Vassar Clements
and, Bill Monroe with Norman. Later, he got to listen to Norman for 3 nights
in a row at a tiny lounge (he was off the road with Johnny Cash that week). He never looked back, and dedicated himself to acoustic string music (carrying his other influences along as he developed). His writing, playing
and musical compass have been influenced by and is shaping a new/old music sorely needed in an increasingly rootless world.
Timeless traditionals & classics mixed with contemporary writers take an audience on a musical tour with an energy and
sensitivity that captivates. David says by connecting his playing and singing to live audiences :“
I want to leave people entertained, inspired and uplifted, with memories that stay in daily life-- for me, it's
a matter of deep belief in and dedication to the workmanship of my craft”
In Performance He has toured/opened or performed with: Doc & Merle Watson, Norman & Nancy Blake, John Hartford, Vassar Clements, Earl Scruggs, Steve Goodman, Jimmy Buffett, John McEuen, Lester Flatt & the Nashville Grass (w/ Marty Stuart), Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Martin, John Hammond, Gamble Rogers, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Jesse Winchester, Will McLean, Mickey Clark, Sally Fingerette, Stephen Wade, Jack Williams, Charles Pettee (Shady Grove Band) and many other fine artists. ---------Reviews-------- “Outstanding! Refreshing! Simply not to be believed! David was super; congenial, cooperative and downright talented.
I can’t begin to thank you for allowing us to showcase David Russell” -ABC-TV Leisure Attractions, NYC “……With a musical career that has taken
him to every major listening room in the South and Northeast, David plays with energy and presence born out of loving what
he does…and it shows..” -Chicago Sun Times “ We had a huge number of listener response calls to the station during the club simulcast of his show in Buckhead… would you please send us some of David’s recordings for our shows?” -WREK-FM Atlanta,GA “ …Shows weave songs with powerful lyrics, which are complemented in the beauty of
Russell’s guitar work. A classically trained guitarist, he offers a smorgasbord of styles including flatpicking, steel
slide, jazz, Travis picking, Delta blues, folk, Celtic and country ……What you won’t hear are staples of
many lounge acts…what you will hear is cutting edge writing.. and being a part of that audience is worth the drive…” .... The single set was impressive and demonstrated a mastery of several approaches to folk music, roots music, bluegrass, or whatever label you choose..... rolling through some traditional bluegrass, contemporary bluegrass (yes, there is such a thing) and reaching to traditional country and western ..... Russell demonstrated that he could pick Nine Pound Hammer in the manner in which it should be, which is that hard edged Merle Travis finger picking style. Later in the evening he would show the delicate yet complex side of flatpicking with Sweet Sunny South. The excitement of the evening came when they dove into Django Reinhardt’s I’ll See You In My Dreams.....I would highly recommend you give this guy a listen if you enjoy hearing great solid guitar licks built around good solid rhythm and traditional structures, and seriously great singing.. - iJax.com Good Life Editor (Jacksonville, FL) "The singular treat of the Delmore Days Festival last weekend was David Russell and his group, CedarBlue. A trio with upright bass, fiddle and tenor guitar player (in the tradition and memory of Rabon Delmore!). David presented the classic "Kennesaw Line" civil war song (which he's been performing more than 25 years), his own songs, and doubled up flatpicking on a great selection of regional fiddle tunes played by Jim Holland (one from his grandfather). With great renditions of Delmore's "Big River Blues" and the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead" David finished the set with a rousing version of the Delmore's "Freight Train Boogie", just as one many freight trains came barreling through downtown Athens. An honor to the memory of the Delmore Brothers and a great performance!" Athens State University- Delmore Days Festival 2012
"David provided EXCELLENT performances at the festival! I heard nothing but rave reviews and praise from fellow musicians and general public audience members alike..." Gamble Rogers Festival 2009 "David's got some serious chops on that guitar! I can see why folks use the "killer" analogy. Though I know he's a kind soul, he did "murder" us all with those licks last night. On the other hand, and this was something that I wasn't quite prepared for- David sent us to a higher plane with the tenderness of his music writing and voice...no one will soon forget his playing and singing and that he kept us "on the sunny side". What a beautiful moment and evening it was!" White Springs Folk Club- The Telford Hotel- White Springs,FL
“ A guitarist’s guitarist who plays mandolin and
dobro as well. With a wide-ranging clear voice, he performs his songs and those of his fellow writers with an energy and sensitivity
that captivates… a broad brush of styles from bluegrass and traditional music, Delta blues and Travis-picked country
to contemporary acoustic… the man’s a natural” DAVID RUSSELL FULL BIO CLICK HERE Endorsements
 Social Media Click on Buttons: 
  |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||
Please sign in to the guest book below if you'd like
and drop a line. I'm building on material for a CD between play dates and taking
way too long to get a product out-- but it is coming along David
Pickers/Players: David
Russell: Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin, Mandocello, Banjo
and Resonator guitar (sideman and when solo) Fretless and Fretted Electric Bass in NC/VA: Dana Trantham (Persons
of Interest/Spin Art Deco) and Justin Meyers
Upright
Bass: John Peyton (The Peyton Brothers), Brad Hiatt (Rich in Tradition, Close
Kin- Johnny & Jeanette Williams) Banjo and Dobro: John Boulding (The Dr. of the Banjo & Luthier) Wyatt Rice & Santa
Cruz, currently w/ Shady Grove Band. Banjo: Darrell Wilkerson (Jr. Sisk and Rambler's Choice) Steve Barker ( NC guitar fingerpicker extraordinaire) and Lorrie Barker (Songbird)
|
David Russell at the Gamble Rogers Festival 2009
|
||||||||
