Shawna Russell on AirPlay Direct

Forthcoming single: "Should've Been Born With Wheels"
Radio impact date: September 18, 2008

Previous single: "Goddess"

"Her promising debut is contemporary country soaked in the influence of 1970s country-rock and California pop – its a winning fusion." - Chris Neal, Country Weekly

Rising Oklahoma star, country-rock singer-songwriter, Shawna Russell, released her debut CD, Goddess, on Way Out West Records on March 4, 2008.

Goddess was recorded in Oklahoma City and produced by Tim Russell (Shawnas uncle) and Ted Curtis at Upstairs Productions Studio, and includes some of the top music industry professionals in the business. Upon first hearing Russell’s voice, world-famous musicians journeyed to Oklahoma to record with her, including Russ Kunkel, who has drummed for Carly Simon and James Taylor, and David Santos, bassist for Elton John, Billy Joel and John Fogerty. They were joined by vocal engineer, Julian King, who has made a name working with country superstars, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Toby Keith. The album was mixed by Nathaniel Kunkel, whose recent clients include Diana Ross and The Police.

Russell, a resident of Okemah, Oklahoma, has spent a great deal of her young life preparing for this moment. And while her youthful good looks belie her experience, she is a veteran who has paid some serious dues. She first began singing professionally with her father, Keith, in his band, when she was 12. By her late teens, she was fronting the band. During her professional career, Russell has toured across much of the U.S., performing 2-6 nights a week, up to 5 sets a night, at many of the top live music clubs on the circuit, including The Grizzly Rose, in Denver, Billy Bob’s, in Ft. Worth, and the Wildhorse Saloon, in Nashville, among countless others. Russell has spent the last three years on the road touring with fellow Oklahoman, Ty England (of Garth Brook’s fame), before going solo again. Early buzz from music industry insiders predict that Goddess will finally give Russell her long-awaited break.

Russell co-wrote 12 of the 13 songs on Goddess. “Most of the songs were written with my dad, Keith, and my uncle Tim,” she states. “It was the most amazing thing – we would get together with just some rough ideas, and several hours later, we would have these killer tunes. We joked that we were ‘channeling’ Woody Guthrie! (Also an Okemah native).

Retro and rockin’ – Country and contemplative, Goddess is a sonic delight. From the opening track, Russell stakes her claim with a vocal intensity that will not be denied – it is clear that she means business.

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Contacts:

Management:
Clif Doyal/Clif Doyal Agency
Office: 615.885.5998 Cell: 615.319.1863
E-mail: CDAnashville@aol.com

Tim Russell/Way Out West LLC
Office: 405.823.1994
E-mail: tntrussell@plainsnet.net

Publicity/Marketing:
Clif Doyal, CDA Promotions-Nashville
Office: 615.885.5998 Cell: 615.319.1863
E-mail: CDAnashville@aol.com