HAPPY THANKSGIVING and New CD Project
My new album, as they say in the recording industry, is in the can. I am still undecided on what to call the new album. Twelve new songs have been recorded. The titles are:
“The New Blue Peace”, “Granddaddy’s Silver Dollar”, “Me and Mark Twain”, “Never Miss a Chance”, “Traveling Dog”, “The Wishing Chair”, “Sweet Water”, “Dream Big” and “You Wouldn’t Know Me”. We are having Jimmy Stadler add piano to several of the tracks. You know, Jimmy’s the king of the keyboards.
Now it’s time for tweaking, polishing, mixing and mastering. I am meeting with graphic artist, Dick Reeves this week to discuss the cover art work. It’s time for new pics, etc. I am shooting for an early 2018 release.
This album will be number “thirty”, and I feel this one is really my best. This is largely due and thanks to my producer and multi instrumentalist, Don Richmond, and with James Doyle on drums providing the groove. I am very excited about the new project and I am anxious to see and hear what you think about it.
To have a new album under my belt and ready for release is a great way to end the 2017.
OTHER NEWS
This year I also recently received a Platinum Record Album Award from Miranda for my song “You Wouldn’t Know Me”. Miranda recorded a rocking version of her new double album CD “The Weight of These Wings”. She just won Female Vocalist of the year from the CMA and earlier this year “Album of the Year”. I also re-cut a fresh new version of the song on my new album.
Finally, to top off the year, a few weeks ago I was informed a song I co-wrote with my old friend from Houston, Andrew Chapman, aka JoJo, has been has been put on the ballot to be nominated for a Grammy. The name of the song is “That’s The Kind of Day I Had Today”. Andy, under his stage name JoJo, recorded it on his new CD, “Well, It’s About Time” released this past Summer. It is on the ballot to be nominated in the Americana songwriting category. Who Knows? We’ll see. It looks good on the resume. It’s always an honor to be nominated, win or lose. As 2017 is winding down I still have a few more shows this year.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Dec. 1 @ Anderson Fair in Houston. It will be a solo show and I will be previewing songs from my new CD. Come on out. www.andersonfair.net for tickets. Music about 8:45 PM
Dec. 2 with Michael Hearne and Mike Roberts at The Schriever’s 7th Annual House Concert in Pearland. This is a can’t miss house concert. Weather permitting, it will be outside in their beautiful backyard with plenty of fire pits, etc. (Secret: It is also my and Dee’s Anniversary! Come help us celebrate with our friends, many of which were at our wedding.)
Dec. 8 @ Main Street Crossing in Tomball with Michael and Mike. 8:00 show www.mainstreetcrossing.com for tickets
Dec. 16th @Ovations in Houston on Kirby in the Village. A Songwriter Show with details to come.
Last but not least!
Dec. 31st our annual show at Anderson Fair!
I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Peace on Earth, Shake

BACK FROM THE BIG BARN DANCE

Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance #15 is now in the rear view mirror for another year.  What another great ride it was! Even more folks showed up this year than last year. The Thursday night crowd looked more like a Saturday night. All the musical regulars were there and the great new additions to the line-up, Joe Ely, John Fullbright, and Band of Heathens. The Red River Songwriters were all well received by the very dedicated barn dance audience.
Michael and his uncle Bill and all the Hearne family performed a touching rendition of New Mexico Rain with the little grand children up front and center with their guitars.  I predict “THE HEARNE TRIO”  featuring Brandon, Michael and Brice will be performing at the Big Barn Dance in 2027!  Grandpa Michael will be watching and smiling from the wings.  Hey Gramps, the beat goes on indeed!! Congratulations Michael for the best year yet.
Thank all you good folk that journeyed up from Texas. I hope you enjoyed the Barn Dance experience.  You know I had a dream last night…I saw a statue in the park… and in the very near future, they re-name Kit Carson Park to The Michael Hearne Park?
I know you say it was a dream, probably all the green chili’s I ate before bed…I don’t know, I’m just saying it is about time the town of Taos pays tribute to one of their favorite sons.  I’ll see you next year! We will see if that statue is up yet!

After the Barn Dance I went up to Alamosa, CO. to Howlin’ Dog Studio and continued work on my new CD project with Don Richmond.  We always have fun making new music. We recorded five more songs for the album. Everything is sounding fantastic. I can’t wait for you to hear it. We now have nine tracks ‘in the can’.  I’m going back in October for another go around. We are shooting for a late 2017 or early spring 2018 release.

ALSO…I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF THE NEW LIVE CD “SHAKE RUSSELL and MICHAEL HEARNE  with MIKE ROBERTS.” released by puffBunny Records,  It was recorded in May at the Wildflower Festival in Richardson, Texas by our friend Ren Renfree.  It is a beautifully recorded and edited performance of the evening’s concert.  The song list includes all your favorites, plus. I’ll tell you, if you have ever come out to one of our live shows and wished you could find a recording that captures our music live, you will definitely love this CD!! It is now available to order by email at shakerussell02.com or pick up a copy at one of our shows.  Come to think of it, this Friday, Sept. 22,  you can catch us at Senglemann Hall in Schulenburg, TX at this fully restored 1890’s Texas Dance Hall and Restaurant.  We will be playing upstairs at 8:00 to 11:00.  There is a full bar upstairs and a great stage and a $10 cover.  Then Saturday, Sept. 23^rd we will be at Mainstreet Crossing in Tomball, TX at 8:00 PM.  So make your reservations www.mainstreetcrossing.com, so you can pick up a copy either night.  We will be happy to sign it for you.  Hope to see you at one of the shows!

Thanks
   Shake

‘PURPLE MOUNTAIN’S MAJESTY’

Hello from Alamosa, Colorado. Its Tuesday morning the day after our house concert in here in Alamosa.  I am enjoying the 360 panoramic view of the Sangre de Cristos mountain range and the San Juan Del Norte mountains and  the fruited plains surrounding me. Life is very good.

The last time I checked in we were up in Red River, NM. Michael Hearne and I played the 4th of July parade, and a concert at the Bitter Creek Ranch, Michael  Martin Murphy “Chuck Wagon Series” on Wednesday night. Friday night we jammed at ‘The Lost Love Saloon’. It’s the cool little bar downstairs at ‘The Lodge' where we were staying during our visit to Red River. Mike Addington and Mark Webberneck hold court there most week nights and weekends. They were kind enough to let us sit in and share the night with them.

Saturday night we journeyed down to Taos and played at the KTAOS solar radio station.  It’s not only a radio station, but also has a grill and bar in the complex and an indoor stage and an outdoor stage for live concerts. We played on the inside stage and the place was jam-packed with dancers.  They all came out to see and hear and to welcome home Taos’ own prodigal son Michael Hearne. They love him up here for sure.  He could run for mayor! The night was a little like and had the same kind of vibe of Michael’s Big Barn Dance. There was a lot of fancy stepping, twirling and swirling going on. You just had to be there. Charles J. Cox was there taking pictures as he did up at Bitter Creek.  Check him out on Face book!  What a great gig it was. Thank you KTAOS for having us.

We had Sunday off so we drove on up to Alamosa and got here a day early. We’re at Teri and Don’s, which is also the home of Howlin’ Dog Studio.  Our friends Ezra and Keith of "Trout Fishing” were in Alamosa playing the train trip which we played last summer. They were on their way to Prescott, AZ. and were hanging out for a couple of days staying with Don and Teri. We had a chance to visit with them. After dinner we did a little living room picking.  We broke out some classics,  Poco, Buffalo Springfield, Van Morrison, Beatles, and a few originals thrown in. It was great fun.  Safe travels “Trout”.  We’ll see you at the Big Barn Dance in September.

Next door to Don and Teri’s home and studio is a beautiful, recently finished “Guest House” compliments of the David Clemmer family, where we were invited to stay while we are in Colorado. The Clemmer family partners with Teri and Don, Howlin' Dog Studios. It is also used for the house concerts Don and Teri host and where we  performed on Monday night. The beautiful house has a large high ceiling in the living room with large windows wrapped around, so you feel like you have the  great outdoors looking in. It’s the perfect place to play music. It was a ‘sell out' on a Monday night. Another Howling Dog act, “Pint and A Half” opened the show with a short set of material from their new CD “Boomtown Ghosts”. It was a pleasure to meet Duke and Tami Sheppard and hear them live. They and their music were well received. Michael and I had the big band configuration. Michael Hearne and Don Richmond, Mike Roberts on bass and Ezra Idlet sitting in on the Cajon and myself. We be jamming…It was a magical musical evening. At one point the roof nearly blew off of the new house. I think that was “Wish I Was a Freight Train” by Don Richmond with the band jamming with him!  Everyone left buzzing from the night. The ‘icing on the cake’ was after the show  I simply walked down the hall,took a left, and into my room.  You know, I could get used to that! It saves on late night driving and gas money.

Now we have a couple of days before we head to Colorado Spring for the Black Rose Acoustic Society concert series. We’ve never performed in Colorado Springs. This is a very prestigious concert series to play. We’re looking forward to bringing our music to an entirely new audience.

On our day off tomorrow I am going to check out the Sand Dunes National Park down the road from Alamosa.  It is just too close not to see this wonder of nature. I’ll send pics. I’ll see you up the road.

Stay tuned

Shake

RED RIVER DREAMS"

It’s the Fourth of July in Red River, NM.  I awake early around 6:30 to find empty folding chairs already in place lined up along the main drag, claims staked out for the parade. Our hotel balcony at THE LODGE overlooks the street so, I had a bird’s eye view of everything unfolding. By 8 o’clock they began arriving and arriving and arriving. Evidently the fourth of July parade in Red River is a pretty big deal. They came from all over. By parade time there were several thousand lined up along the parade route.  Michael Hearne and I performed on one of the floats representing TEXAS RED’S STEAKHOUSE plus a banner on both sides of the truck hauling the float promoting our show Wednesday night up at Bitter Creek.  Michael and I played while a pair of All-Star dancers from Taos kicked up their heels to the songs.

  

The last time I was in the rodeo parade in Houston, way back in the day, I lip-synced to a pre-recorded version of  my song  “Traveling Texas”. This time Michael and I were performing live… no Milli Vanelli this time. We got through the first song, everything was off to a good start when the generator overloaded from the PA system, and the PA shut down. Well, what can you do?  We became couple of unplugged mariachis for the first half of the parade. We strummed and sang as loud and as hard as we could so the dancers could at least hear us well enough to keep their beat. We were two gypsy song men smiling and waving as we passed by all the smiling faces of all ages in red, white and blue waving back. They were cheering us on.  I saw Uncle Sam in the crowd pointing right at me. We got a make shift partial PA rigged up by the second half to finish up the parade sharing a mic and one guitar line, but we made it work, and it was a unique experience and now a fun memory in the rear view mirror. You know… ‘I love a parade’.

Today it’s a beautiful morning.  It’s good to be out of the Texas heat for a while. There are a lot of Texans up here doing the same thing. I keep hearing quite a few “ Yawl’s all around me. So I’m drinking coffee looking out at a beautiful scene of green covered mountains and brilliant blue sky. We’re heading over to THE OLD THYMER’S for breakfast.It is a lazy morning.  Just the way I like it.

Tonight we play up at Bitter Creek for the annual Chuck Wagon Show. It’s a tradition Michael Martin Murphy began. This year they had Michael Hearne and SXSW on Monday night. I jumped up and sang a few with them. Michael invited me to come up and play on Wednesday. Mike Roberts joins us along with our friend and producer Don Richmond. There will be barbecue and music and dancing to the mountain sunset and the night stars will come out over a pristine little mountain lake.  It’s quite a setting to play music.
I’ll send pics along with this, so you can get a better idea of what I’m talking about. Thats what’s shakin for now. I’ll keep you posted on upcoming events.
Stay tuned.
Shake

After a great house concert in El Lago with Maggie Asher and Chris Ennis home.  What a beautiful backyard and stage looking over their pool.  Even had sand to giggle your toes in for a small beach at the back of the pool.  We are coming back next year but Maggie says maybe not in June.  How about April, Maggie. Thank you and Chris for your hospitality and your great friends who came for the show!

And now, we just had the Longest Day of the year and ‘triple digits’….104 degrees outside. Summer is here. Yep, it’s warming up in Dripping Springs.  The deer are looking for shade.  The fox is looking for water. We’re preparing to load the ponies and head north to New Mexico and Colorado for most the month of July. We have a handful of shows up that way. We plan to see some sights on our days off. It is sort of a paid vacation. We begin on July 5th at the Bitter Creek  Ranch Amphitheater up above Red River, N.M.  It’s a beautiful outdoor venue that sits on a little mountain lake.  It’ll be a great way experience music and for us to kick off the tour.  Music starts at 6:00 PM.

On July 8 we mosey on down to TAOS for a show at the KTAOS Solar Radio Station Pavilion in El Prado, New Mexico, a live acoustic show. The station has a concert hall connected and that’s where we’re performing. Hey all you barn dance folks, come on out and have some fun.  July 10 we play a house concert in Alamosa, CO hosted by Teri and Don Richmond.  It’s on a Monday evening so we will begin earlier for this show.  For more information go to teri@howlindogrecords.com.  Our opening act will be “Pint and a Half”, another one of our fellow musicians on the Howlin’ Dog label.   July 14 we’re way up in Colorado to Colorado Springs for a show at “The Black Rose Society” concert series. Show starts at 7:00 to 10:00 PM. The following week we’ll be picking and singing for a couple of nights at The Lodge Hotel in Red River, N.M.  It is a main favorite gathering place in town and always fun place to play.

We then journey to Telluride, CO. to play at the "Historic Sheridan Opera House" on Thursday, July 20. The Crown Jewel of Telluride, CO.  Americana Showcase and Songwriter Fest with my buddy, Michael Hearne.  Thank you Steve Stagner for having us at this beautiful venue!  Our final show on this trip is in Los Alamos. I will be playing with Michael Hearne and the Energizer Bunny, Jimmy Stadler will join us at Ashley Pond. It is Country and Americana from Texas and Taos.  That is our last show on this trip and we head home to Dripping Springs. 

We will back in Houston for a show at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, first Sat. in August, the 5^th!  7:30 show and we are looking forward to being back at the Duck!!  www.mcgonigels.com for tickets.

See you up the road, and as always, thanks for supporting live music!  Shake

“GIVE ME THE BEAT BOYS…AND FREE MY SOUL”

Last night Michael Hearne and I along with Mike Roberts were Christine Albert’s
“special guests”at El Mercado Mystery Monday Show, with Bobby Callas on drums and                     Chip Dolan sitting in on piano and accordion.  It was a big band sound night and without a set list. This Monday night was different than usual because of Jimmy LaFave’s passing on Sunday.  The music community still in shock and disbelief that he was gone.  Everyone seemed to gather last night just to be together and share his memory and music a little.  The place was packed and all sorts of Austin’s best musical guests came by to sing a couple of songs and pay tribute to Jimmy. Butch Hancock and his son, Eliza Gilykson, Tish Hinojosa, Marcia Ball, Ray Bonneville, Slaid Cleaves, John Inmon, and others contributed to a fantastic, rousing right of music.  Everyone left a little lighter in heart than when they came in.

This Thursday night May 25^th my old friend Clint black is rolling into Austin for a show at The Nutty Brown.  Clint has recorded several songs we’ve written together, PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES, ONE MORE PAYMENT, OUR KIND OF LOVE, MILK AND COOKIES (‘till Santa’s Gone), HEY HOT ROD, and YOU DON’T NEED ME NOW.  Thank you Clint.  It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him and his band. Clint invited me to come out Thursday night and sing a couple of songs with his band. This will be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to it.  Clint has had the same core band all these many years and they are a tight, crackerjack band.  That says a whole lot about what kind of man Clint is.  (Clint and his band played on my CD “LET LOVE BE TRUE” when I recorded it in Nashville.)  So folks…If you don’t have any plans for Thursday night come on out to The Nutty Brown and catch Clint Black! Clint and his band will put on a rocking’ stellar show.  I guarantee it.

HEADS UP KERRVERTS’…..
Friday night we’ll head to The Kerrville Folk Festival for a visit to that music fest in the hills. American Dreamer kicks it off,  followed by ‘Trout Fishing’, ‘The Rifters’, then Michael Hearne, Mike Roberts and I. Due to Jimmy LaFaves’s unfortunate passing this past Sunday, the Friday closing set will be a tribute to Jimmy hosted by Ray Bonneville and will feature members of Jimmy’s band and friends.  No doubt there will be some jamming going on the stage that night.

After Kerrville, I’ll be heading up to Alamosa, CO to begin work on my next CD with Don Richmond producing and playing on the album. I am really looking forward to getting back into the recording studio with Don and creating some new material. It’s really one of my favorite things to do.  And, I’m not putting a deadline on this one.  I’m going to take my sweet time and work on it over the summer.

I’ll let you know how it goes and send you some pics and samples of what we’re doing up there.
So stay tuned.  There’s much more to come.  I’ll talk with you up the road.

Thanks,
Shake