January 2019

The New Year began with a party for my friend Maggie Sweeney. We are old friends from our early years working down in Houston. We celebrated her birthday with friends and family at the Lago Vista Center. Only about 100 plus attended, ate and danced!  In that order! She is very popular!  Many friends and lost of music for her 65th birthday.  Thank you Maggie!

On Wednesday night I played at The El Mercado with The John Inmon Group, with Bobby Kallus on drums, Jerry ‘White Shoes’ Burns on bass, David Webb on keyboards, John Inmon on guitar, Rick Nation on percussion. WHAT A BAND!!!! WHAT A JAM!!!!

The next night Michael Hearne and I played before a couple of hundred people at the ‘Prestigious‘Dallas Country Club. Heck, they say it took Jerry Jones 15 years to get into the place...that long of a waiting list to get in.  We just walked in with our guitars!  It took less than 15 minutes.  I guess you have to know someone.  It was a great audience and a great night of music.

And then we played  Appelt’s Hall or as google says, Appelt’s Hill Gun Club Hall, in Hallettsville, TX for the David Ehler family and friends!  It was celebrating David’s 60 birthday and his beautiful mom Dolores celebrating her 90 birthday!  Lots of dancing going on and we got to see Shara Fryer, who just happens to be from Hallettsville as well.She was taking pictures and video's of all the family and friends dancing to the music!  Thank you Ehler family, what a great day!

Sunday’s ‘SONGWRITER SHOW’ @Bernhardt’s Winery with guitar legend John Inmon was SOLD-OUT!!! Thanks John, for getting out of your sick bed and driving to Plantersville, TX. to make the show.  Michael Hearne was down for the count with the flu and John stepped in for him.  John, you are a real trouper and a traveling dog. It will not be forgotten.

Last Sunday...

We performed at The Golden’s “OLIVE HILL House Concert”.  It was their annual Anniversary show.  Michael Hearne caught an early 5 am flight out of New Mexico to make the Sunday afternoon show. Gracias Miguel!!  I’ve known the hosts Frank and Judy Golden since my years in Houston. We go way back. With this concert we celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. They are two silver hearts. We will be there for your 50th.

SHOW COMING UP

Jan. 26 at the Smithville, TX the Mosaic House Concert Series, sold out show

Gruene Hall DANCEHALL 5-8pm. no cover

Tuesday night SOLO DINNER SHOW @ McGonigals Mucky Duck

in Houston 7:30 show.

I will be @Threadgill’s North in Austin with Michael Hearne Feb. 1^st doing

 a ‘song swap’ Friday night Feb 1st , 8pm – 10:00

SoloShow @ J. P. Hops House, Houston,TX.  Feb. 9^th 8-10pm

AND....Don’t forget.....

Our annual Valentines Day Show with Michael Hearne and Mike Roberts@ Main Street Crossing!! ‘A Night of Love songs!’   Make your reservations now! www.mainstreetcrossing.com.  Check out the schedule at www.shakerussell.com

I hope to see you there!

Shake

Well there is just one more day in 2018.

Michael Hearne, Mike Roberts and I played our last show of the year  at

“Main Street Crossing” in Tomball, Texas.  The place was packed, a sold out show with a roomful of folks ready to party the night away. We even did a live recording of the show by Joshua Daugherty which was made available to purchase immediately following the concert. People were lined up to take home a copy.  We love playing at Main Street and all of the good people on the staff. It’s always a good time. Thanks Matt and thank you Joshua for a great recording!

The week before we performed for our first time at “The Four Star Concert Hall” in Brenham, TX.  Indeed it is a four star venue, 

with a great sound system, an intimate size room, with a second floor balcony overlooking the concert area and stage below. John Elford has put a lot of time and energy into renovating the old building that sits just a couple of blocks off of  the town square. He has turned it into a place for the community to come to hear music and other types of performances offered. Thanks John for inviting us. We hope to be back for another visit in 2019.

Speaking of party’s...   Monday night New Years Eve, I will be doing a solo show at Anderson Fair in Houston.  I will be there along with Ken Gaines and Wayne Wilkerson, GRAMMY winner Lynn Langham and GRAMMY nominated Doug Gill, along with Austin musician James Steinle. It will be a full evening of music, champagne and blackeyed Peas! The doors open at 7:15 and music starts at 8:45. Come on out and welcome in 2019 with us! Make your reservations now at www.andersonfair.net. 

 I do want to say thanks once again to all of you who came to one of my shows this past year, or bought a CD, or even a pound of my “Cowboy Coffee”, and those of you  who continue to support the music and what I do.  I couldn’t do it without you. I truly feel blessed for all the years as an audience you’ve given me. I am looking forward to another new year and writing some new tunes in 2019.  Onward and upward. Watch for upcoming shows in January on my show dates on www.shakerussell.com.  I will keep you posted. I hope to see you up the road soon.

Happy New Year Everyone!!      Peace,   Shake

Merry Christmas

Tuesday Dec.11, 2018

After a great solo show last Saturday night at The Millbend Coffee House Series hosted by Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church out in The Woodlands just a little north of Houston, I am sitting here gathering my thoughts and looking at the final days and weeks in this month and in this year...2018, and  reflecting on all that has occurred.  It has been a wild one indeed. Life happened while we were busy making other plans. I  am certain 2019 will be a better year!! But yet I am left wondering ‘How did it get so late so soon?’  I have three more shows this year:

Saturday Dec. 22 Michael Hearne and I, along with Mike Roberts, will be performing in Brenham, TX. at the 4-Star Concert Hall.  . We were supposed to play a kick-off show for this concert hall and had a scheduling conflict.  So happy we found another date.  Make your reservations NOW!  Kicky off your Christmas weekend!   https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/2501277/shake-russell-and-michael-hearne-w/mike-roberts-on-bass-moved-from-oct27th-to-dec-22nd-brenham-4-star-concert-hall      www.4starbrenham.com    It’s been a while since I’ve played in Brenham. I remember a wonderful house concert series hosted by Glen and Cheryl Ducket I performed at several times and concerts in the streets, on the square in front of the Courthouse.  Like I said, it’s been a while....playing at this venue is a wonderful way to return.  I hope to see you all out for the show. Thank you for supporting live music.  Good Tickets are still available.

On Dec. 29 we will be returning to Mainstreet Crossing in Tomball,  playing our final show of the year. It is always a great time and show at Mainstreet Crossing.  COME ON OUT and celebrate the Holidays!!! There may still have a few seats left for the event.  The ticket link is on my tour page or go to www.mainstreetcrossing.com. 

On New Year’s Eve I will be doing my annual Midnight Watch at Anderson Fair in Houston. Black eyed Peas and Champagne,  noise makers, and a little music thrown in.  Make your reservations now.

Also.....BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

Clint Black has released a new Christmas Album, The Clint Black Christmas Collection

which includes the Christmas song we wrote together, “MILK  AND COOKIES (til Santa’s gone)”.   Check it out at info@clintblack.com.  The song is part of a new Christmas musical production created by Clint that is playing around the country.  It debuted in San Diego, CA,  to rave reviews.  https://sandiegodowntownnews.com/looking-for-christmas/  Read  about the play with this link!   

Almost forgot!  Did you know you can go to www.shakerussell.com and download  CD’s from out of print CD’s.  And  new ones!  Check it out!  Or order some for Christmas presents.  Yes, that is a good stocking stuffer! 

Again I thank you all who have supported my music and have attended live shows over the past year.  We hope to see you all this year as well as 2019 as we come to a town near you.

Merry Christmas to All,

and a Happy New 2019 to everyone!

and may there be one day

Peace on this Earth,

Love to All.

Shake

McGonigel's Mucky Duck

After a pretty rough summer for both Michael Hearne and me, I am way behind on my blog.  Not since July?  I'll be catching up soon because we have had a whole lot going on and all fun now that we are both healthy and playing strong again!  So, watch for it!  

Shake Russell and Michael Hearne tonight!!!! November 17th 2018, 7:30 PM.  Come hear some tunes!  One of our most favorite stages to play, a premier venue for our music!  Come early for a super meal and beverage, now serving special drinks as well as wine!  Mike Roberts is playing bass. 

Peace, Shake