Shawna Russell: News and Notes

Shawna to Headline July 4 in Drumright

Drumright 4th of July Celebration to Feature Rising Oklahoma Star Shawna Russell and Other Performers in Concert Along with Huge Fireworks Display

Free-to-the-Public Family Event Sponsored by Keystone Gas Corporation and Pacer Energy Marketing

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 25, 2009) - Keystone Gas Corporation and Pacer Energy Marketing will co-sponsor the “2nd Annual Drumright 4th of July Celebration” on Saturday, Jul. 4, at the Sellers Ranch, north of Drumright, Okla. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the event will run from Noon until Midnight.

The family-friendly event will feature a full day of live entertainment, including a concert by headliner and rising Oklahoma recording artist, Shawna Russell, along with a host of other musical performers, including Nashville sister duo, JessAlicia, and homegrown talents Mark Bruner and Shelby Eicher, Jason Savory Band, and Tulsa-based, Outlaw Son.

“It will be a wonderful day of great music, topped off by a huge fireworks display at dusk,” states Rick Sellers, President of Keystone Gas Corporation, co-sponsor and organizer of the event. “Bring your lawnchairs and your family to enjoy a fun day.”

Last year’s celebration featured concerts by B.J. Thomas and Shawna Russell, and was such a success that Sellers now plans to make it an annual event.

Directions to Sellers Ranch: Go 2 mi. north of the Hwy. 33/16/99 Junction on Hwy. 99, then turn left on 101st and continue for ¼ mi. – follow signs.

For more information, please contact: (918) 352-2443

Shawna to be profiled as one of KOCO-TV's 'Most Fascinating Oklahomans'

Shawna Russell to be Featured in Television Special “Believe in Oklahoma: Most Fascinating Oklahomans”

Country Rock Recording Artist Profiled by KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City this Weekend

NASHVILLE, TN (June 23, 2009) – Okemah, Oklahoma, recording artist, Shawna Russell, will be profiled by KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City this weekend in a special entitled, “Believe in Oklahoma: Most Fascinating Oklahomans.” The show is scheduled to air on Saturday, June 27th at 6:30 p.m. (CST).

Jessica Schambach, nightly news anchor of KOCO, met with Russell during the recent CMA Music Festival in Nashville and interviewed the singer-songwriter on a number of topics ranging from the fact that Russell is a co-owner of her own record label, Way Out West, to how she has been a working musician for most of her life, first singing in public at age 7.

Russell also discusses her third and latest single, “Fire In The Desert,” from her debut CD, Goddess, and how it was recorded in Oklahoma City with several famous musicians and engineers who joined her on the project.

Other Oklahomans included in the show will be mother and daughter authors, P.C. and Kristin Cast; Congressman Dan Boren (son of former Oklahoma governor/ U.S. Senator, David Boren, currently president at the University of Oklahoma);  KOCO “Eyewitness News 5 at 5” anchor, Paul Folger; and Mike Gundy, current OSU football coach.

“I am amazed that they have chosen a small town girl like me to be in the company of the illustrious names who are included in this special,” says Russell. “I am truly honored.”

Shawna at CMA MusicFest

Shawna Russell Makes a Whirlwind Sweep Through Nashville for CMA Music Festival 2009

NASHVILLE, TN (June 17, 2009) – Oklahoma singer/songwriter, Shawna Russell, made a whirlwind sweep thru the Music City last week for the CMA Music Festival.

On Thursday night, Russell entertained her Way Out West Records radio team and special guests with a dinner at trendy Bricktop’s on West End. In attendance were Regina Raleigh; Christina Bear; Lofton Creek Records President, Mike Borchetta; Martha Borchetta; Chris Borchetta; Mark Maynard; Way Out West V.P., Clif Doyal; Patti Doyal; father Keith Russell; and radio programmers, J. Brooks of KSMA and Dennis Banka of WUCZ.

On Friday, Russell was up bright and early for the 6:30 a.m. start time of the “Music Row Live!” radio remotes hosted by Sharla McCoy at the Tracking Room. There, she interviewed with WQYK-Tampa; WIRK-West Palm Beach; WLXX-Lexington; Artist & Fans Network TV; and the syndicated show, “Rise Up Country with John Ritter.”

Afterward, it was off to the Nashville Convention Center, where Russell was greeted by fans and signed autographs at the “Assets” Booth. That was followed by interviews in the Media Wing with various outlets, including Country Stars Online, Paniolo Country Connection, CMR Nashville (UK), DreamWest Magazine (France), and Country Music News (Germany), among others.

Russell capped her afternoon of interviews with a special career highlight for her; an on-camera interview with Jessica Schambach, nightly news anchor from KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, who interviewed Russell for a feature to air in late-June, entitled “Believe in Oklahoma: The Five Most Fascinating Oklahomans.” The show will also be syndicated to 28 ABC affiliates across America.

Afterwards, Russell blushed and said, “I am still just floored to be thought of as someone who is fascinating…I’m still pinching myself to make sure that it was real.”

On Saturday, Russell joined Carol Fay, the “Biscuit Lady” from the Loveless Cafe to entertain dozens of children at the "Cupcake and Apron Decorating Event" in the Family Zone. Russell was especially excited about it. “I have probably looked forward to this more than any other event this year! I just love kids. They are so cool!”

When all the cupcakes had been decorated and devoured by the children, Russell paused for a moment to take in a some music at the Sommet Center Plaza Stage before returning to Oklahoma.

Russell performs this week at the Country Fever Festival in Pryor, on a bill which includes Cross Canadian Ragweed, Eli Young Band, Jason Boland & the Stragglers, and dozens of other acts.

Shawna Gets a Standing O from LCR President

June 16, 2009

(l-r): Mike Borchetta, President, Lofton Creek Records; Shawna Russell, and Russell's co-manager and Way Out West Records V.P., Clif Doyal
*Photo credit: Patti Doyal, CDA Promotions-Nashville

Mike Borchetta of Lofton Creek Records stood on his own without assistance for the first time in nearly three months on Saturday, after receiving a performance by Way Out West Records' artist Shawna Russell. The Oklahoma songbird dropped by Borchetta's office while she was in town for the CMA Fest, to wish him well in his recovery after a fall from his horse in March.

After Russell's first song, Borchetta gave her a "standing ovation" and exclaimed: "I gotta stand up for her after that! She deserves it – and I can’t let her down!”

Doctors initially said that fast recovery was not expected for Borchetta, but last week they gave him permission to start walking again.

Borchetta has been consulting Way Out West Records with the radio promotion for Russell's latest single, "Fire In The Desert."

Up five spots on the Texas Music Chart

June 10, 2009: Fire in the Desert broke onto the Billboard New & Active chart this week and it also climbed five spots to No. 35 on the Texas Music Chart.