We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Russ Gordon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Russ below.

Alright, Russ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Music has always been the heartbeat of my life. As far back as I can remember, I have always dreamed of making music and being on a stage performing my songs for crowds of people. However, I never considered that it was something that I could realistically do until 2019. I was a college drop out really struggling to find a path in life that I found fulfilling. I found myself in a very dark place. I picked up my guitar that had been sitting for years and wrote a song, and it was like a factory reset for me. It awoke something in me that had always been there. Not only did I realize that making music was something that I could do; I knew it was what I had to do.

Russ, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I first started writing songs, my Grandaddy gave me an old Merle Haggard guitar pick. So, I went home and listened to a ton of Merle’s music which then sent me down the rabbit hole of all the legends of country music. I also started going to several live shows at the local honky-tonks and theaters and found another side of the country music world in the grass roots, blue collar bands that have mostly graduated to playing arena’s at this point. All of this really helped me hone in on who I wanted to be as an artist and how I wanted to say what I had to say through music. Everyday, I kept my mind and ears open for song inspiration, and I found a lot. I would go in my barn every night and learn songs on guitar and practice for at least 2 hours. I did this for 2 years before I ever booked my first gig. I finally went to play the local open mic night and got my first few gigs, and I haven’t looked back since! I have kept this consistent obsession with songwriting, practicing, playing live, booking my shows, starting my band, designing my merch, recording my music, and starting my music career. And I am just getting started. I know that I still have a long road ahead, but I am acquiring the tools that I need along the way and constantly learning and developing. When it really comes down to it, everything is about the songs. I fully believe that I was made to write these songs. There is no other way of explaining some of the lyrics that I have pulled out of thin air other than God giving me a gift and telling me to keep going. Plus I am overwhelmed with joy when the sound of a song that has been in my head for months is finally realized in the studio, and I can actually listen to it and share it with the world! “Pure Country Grit” is the best way that I have come up with to describe my whole thing I’ve got going on here. One of the guys at the studio called it the “Hillbilly Allman Brothers” which is also pretty accurate. I do my best to be as honest and true to myself as possible with my lyrics, sound, and live performances. If you want a piece of me, come and get it!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal with making music is to reach people that can relate to my experiences or thoughts, so they know that they are not alone. I want to help them have fun, feel a sense of pride and capability, and make it sound really awesome at the same time.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The Holy Bible. People often do not think of this when it comes to their career or everyday life, but there is endless wisdom and knowledge in there if you just open up and look. I have found the Bible and my faith in Jesus Christ to be essential in bringing peace, hope, joy, perseverance, and understanding to my life. All of this is extremely helpful in every aspect of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.russgordoncountry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russgordoncountry?igsh=Z2gxdXkyMHI3bXR5&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18v7P9mWys/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@russgordoncountry?si=tf8MKqky76cFe1O7
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2219DQnjxDNuqC5naPIsUl?si=F0DL9-MzRkycPs2YOew94A

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/russ-gordon/1708567537

Image Credits

Greg Shaddix
Rowe Media