Folk musician Tom Russell performs in Springdale, Kayenta
By Joyce Hamilton
This February, the phenomenally talented Tom Russell will take his audiences back to the authentic American West, singing many of his hit folk and cowboy songs and telling stories of Americana. Russell will perform Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Canyon Community Center in Springdale and Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta in Ivins.
Russell is a prolific singer, songwriter, essayist, and author. His music remains relevant and exciting, earning him new fans from every generation. Music legends such as Johnny Cash, k.d. lang, Jackson Browne, and Bonnie Raitt have recorded Russell’s songs. Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan have called his fabled “Gallo del Cielo” one of their favorites. In all, Russell has recorded 35 highly acclaimed records and published six books, which include his art, his songs, and his essays on the West.
In March 2019, Russell’s record “October in the Railroad Earth” will drop. It features original songs including the title song from the Irish film “Small Engine Repair.” Russell describes the album’s vibe as “Jack Kerouac meets Johnny Cash … in Bakersfield.”
In 2018, he appeared on the three-record “Roots and Branches” album put out by Appleseed Records. Russell appears alongside a new track by Bruce Springsteen as well as tracks by Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Donovan, Tom Morello, Jesse Winchester, Jackson Browne, and Bonnie Raitt.
In 2017, Russell released two records: “Folk Hotel,” with 12 new songs, and the Ian and Sylvia tribute “Play One More.” Both records have received worldwide acclaim.
Russell wrote an essay on Johnny Cash that earned him the 2015 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for excellence in music journalism. It is included in his book of essays, “Ceremonies of the Horsemen,” which currently has a five-star rating on Amazon.
This amazing artist’s multifaceted background began with a master’s degree in criminology from UC Santa Barbara. He also taught sociology in Nigeria during the Biafran War. His ensuing ventures into music, writing, and art have met with huge success. Several major American museums own Russell’s art, and his work is represented by six galleries around the world.
An artist reception will follow the performance where Russell will showcase and sell his art. There is no additional cost to attend. Refreshments will be served.
The Canyon Community Center is located at 126 Lion Blvd. in Springdale. The Center for the Arts at Kayenta is located at 881 Coyote Gulch Ct. in Ivins. Admission to Russell’s Springdale performance is $10 per Z-Arts member and $15 per non-member. For tickets or more information on these upcoming shows, please visit zarts.org and kayentaarts.com.
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