Event

Russ Varnell & His Too Country Band

Genre
Traditional Country Music

Band Members
Russ Varnell - Fearless Leader/Singer
Ricky Hagan - Steal Player/Harmony Singer
Roger Gilmore - Drummer/Harmony Singer
Evan Rose - Base Guitar
Dave Evans - Lead Guitar
Joy Williams - Female Vocalist

Born and raised in Black Creek, North Carolina, Russ Varnell says "My parents raised me up listening to 100% hardcore traditional country music. Russ grew up watching "HEE HAW and the "Porter Wagoner Show" on TV, and listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, with his parents - whenever they could get it to come in clear enough on their old home clock radio.

Russ musical influences are: George Jones, Merle Haggard, Elvis, Hank Sr., Ernest Tubb, Del Reeves, Don Rich, Red Simpson and most of all the Legendary Buck Owens! "I'm 100% a traditional real country singer" says Russ. "Nothing makes me more upset and let down than when I see and hear singers in our industry who claim to be country and then watch them sound like a rock - or anything but a country singer!" "I sometimes think that my generation doesn't even know what a country singer supposed to sound like."

In the late 1990s, a lifelong dream came true for Russ when on a crazy idea he decided to buy a plane ticket to Bakersfield California - just to go meet his idol and hero, Buck Owens, and see him perform at his Country Music Nightclub. Little did Russ, or anyone, ever realize that he and his hero Buck would become friends - and especially no one thought that Buck would invite Russ up to perform at the annual Buck Owens Birthday Party! Since then, Russ has been honored to perform with Buck and the Legendary Buckaroos on several different occasions in sunny California.

Russ makes a couple of trips a year to Nashville Tennessee to meet with industry insiders that he hopes can help the advancement of his career. While in Nashville, Russ jumps at the chance to perform everywhere he can; and has performed at various Nashville Clubs such as Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Legends Corner, Roberts Western World, The Stage, The Nashville Palace, Lonnie's Western Roomand many more.

Russ has been the subject of news stories on WTVD and WRAL in North Carolina, has been featured in several articles in the Wilson Daily Times, Kenly News, Fremont Newsleader, The Rocky Mount Telegram, Bakersfield Business Journal, and even featured in Country Weekly and Music City News national magazines.

Russ has won several different talent contests throughout the years since he has been performing. Russ volunteers his talents to perform at several of the local nursing homes in his home state of North Carolina for his elderly fans and always makes time to sit down and visit, no matter what.

Russ graduated in 1993 from Beddingfield High School in Wilson, NC and has graduated from the Nash Community College Radio Broadcasting Course, which enabled Russ to have his very own Radio show - formerly on WMPM 1270 AM in Smithfield NC. Russ left his radio show when his busy performing schedule really took off and WHIGTV in Rocky Mount offered him the chance to host, write, direct, and produce his own show. "The Russ Varnell Show" is still being broadcast on WHIGTV in Rocky Mount NC every week for several years now.

Mostly, Russ stays very busy performing several shows every week either in his home state of NC, CA, TN, or VA or wherever there is a crowd of folks willing to listen to some fine & true honky tonk country music.

Russ also writes some of his songs that he performs, which he has copyrighted with BMI Music in Nashville, TN, with whom Russ is a signed songwriter.

Location

Nash Arts (View)
100 East Washington Street
Nashville, NC 27856
United States

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Owner: Nash Arts

On BPT Since: Aug 30, 2012

Nash Arts

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