Shawna Russell is preparing for the Spring 2011 release of her
self-titled sophomore album. Recorded in Nashville and Oklahoma City,
and co-produced by Julian King (Grammy-winning engineer for Faith Hill,
Tim McGraw, Toby Keith) Clif Doyal & Tim Russell, the album reflects
Shawna’s growth as an artist and a maturity of her song crafting skills.
Shawna wrote - or co-wrote - the 10 songs on the project and they
provide the listener with a deeper personal connection to her varied
influences and artistic expression. From the guitar-driven Country Rock
sounds that are her trademark, to Southern-influenced Country R&B, and
mandolin-tinged Americana, ‘SHAWNA RUSSELL’ presents the Oklahoma
songbird at a new creative pinnacle.
The album features legendary and
stellar musicians, including drummers Russ Kunkel (Carly Simon, James
Taylor), Shannon Forrest (2010 ACM “Top Percussionist/Drummer”) and
Billy Thomas (Vince Gill); bassists David Santos (Elton John, John
Fogerty) and Mike Brignardello (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sugarland); mandolin,
banjo and acoustic guitarist, Bryan Sutton (2000-2006 IBMA “Guitar
Player of the Year”); electric, slide and acoustic guitarist, Jon Conley
(LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna); along with keyboardists Charles Judge (Bon Jovi,
Rascal Flatts) and Jim “Moose” Brown (Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker).
Shawna first came on to the national and international music scene
with the release of her debut album, GODDESS (Way Out West Records), in
2008, for which she co-wrote 12 of the 13 songs. Critical acclaim
followed: the CMA named her “Who New to Watch,” and top music critics
weighed in with praise for her debut. Chris Neal of COUNTRY WEEKLY gave
GODDESS a 3 ½ star review, MUSIC ROW’s Robert K.Oermann bestowed a
“DISCovery Award,” his highest compliment to a new artist, and rave
reviews followed from CMA CLOSE UP, MAVERICK (UK), NASHVILLE MUSIC
GUIDE, DREAMWEST (France), THE OKLAHOMAN, MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE, COUNTRY
STARS ONLINE and others.
Three radio singles, "Goddess," "Should've Been Born With Wheels" and
"Fire In The Desert" cemented her status as a contender, with action on
the Billboard "New and Active,' Music Row and Texas Music Charts. Shawna
toured radio stations across the country where her talent won coveted
performance and interviews for her on KBEQ-Kansas City’s highly-rated
morning show with Mike Kennedy; Atlanta’s powerhouse WUBL; and on
Washington DC’s “Voice of America” – which broadcasts to an
international audience. Shawna's debut video "Should've Been Born With
Wheels" reached the #1 position on the “Ya’llturnative” chart at Ya’ll
Wire.com and stayed there for over a month and also attracted fans at
CMT.com, AFN, GAC.com (debuted at #3 as a “Top Pick”) and on Pulse
Network Television (“Top 20 Country Chart” for 3 months).
Leading up to her well-received debut album was an incredible amount
of hard work and years of perseverance. Shawna first sang in public at
age 7. At 13, she and her dad, Keith, formed a country band that played
for clubs and Elks Lodges on weekends. At 17, she joined her Uncle Tim’s
band, which was already a successful regional band on the “A” club
circuit across the Southwest. She honed her remarkable vocal chops and
added acoustic rhythm, electric slide, and lead guitar to her arsenal
while touring across much of the U.S., performing 2-6 nights a week at
many of America’s top live music clubs, including The Grizzly Rose;
Billy Bob’s; and the Wildhorse Saloon. She spent three years fronting
and playing guitar in fellow Oklahoman, Ty England’s band, which
included a USO Tour of Korea in 2005.
Shawna currently performs a busy schedule of casino, club and concert
dates. With her admirable resume - and even more extraordinary musical
and vocal talents - coupled with her Southern charm and natural beauty,
she is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Retro and rockin’- to country
and contemplative, Shawna Russell stakes her claim with star power that
will not be denied.
