It Started in Montgomery (I Blame Boo)

I was born in Montgomery, Alabama – there must be something in the water there based on the number of musicians who’ve called it home. Hank Williams, Tommy Shaw (Styx), Jamey Johnson, Toni Tennille, Clarence Carter, Big Mama Thornton, Rufus Payne, Eddie Floyd, to name a few. And the water is as rich as the genres covered by these artists.

The turning point in my musical life was meeting by buddy Boo Edmondson in the 10th grade. It was his first year at the school, but we had become fast friends. I knew he played guitar and he knew that I had taken piano lessons years before. From that regard it was sort of meant to be.

I heard he was putting a band together for the Spring Talent Show. I asked him about it and he says “you know how to play piano don’t you?” I told him I did but not like that! My previous endeavors included Autumn Leaves and Baby Elephant Walk. He told me, “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you what you need to know.” And he did. We ended up playing Ramblin’ Man, by the Allman Brothers Band, which had just been released on the “Brothers and Sisters” album. I even sang it. What a great first show!

We won the talent show and went on to preform together for years to come. On a side note, I still sing Ramblin’ Man with TributeABB (www.tributeabb.com). We’re a 9 piece Allman Brothers tribute band that loves to jam.

When Boo and I graduated high school we moved to Mobile, Alabama to attend college at the University of South Alabama – Go Jags! There we put together Southern Sun. The winter of 1978 was my introduction to life on the road. We all but starved to death that year and I wouldn’t change a single moment of that time in my life. What an awesome adventure!

Through the years I’ve had the pleasure of supporting some stellar independent artists including Kecia Garland, Cindy Roberts, Julie Gribble and rock and roll icon, Derek St. Holmes from Ted Nugent. I’ve had the joy of making music with some great players who were also some of the nicest folks you’d ever want to meet.

I have put together a number of projects featuring my original material.

The Mission: Music was recorded with the musicians from Moon Dance, an Atlanta based dance band I was in at the time.

The Russ Still Project includes songs recorded and sung by some of the best talent in Nashville. I wrote or co-wrote all the songs.

My recent release, White Lightnin’, introduces my new band The Moonshiners. We’ve really enjoyed recording and playing these new songs.

Now that you know how I got to where I am I’d love to know who in your past has made a significant contribution to who are today. Thanks for stopping by. And feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email to let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you.
In the meantime, check out the videos of “The Girl’s Alright” and “NashVegas.” I just know you’re going to dig them.

Posted in

14 Comments

  1. I’m Joshua smith Radio rebel 15 years old ready to get to know me and I’m a Radio Dj/ teenager who’s got both worlds a teenager and a DJ at the same time 🙂

    1. Kill it Joshua. Sorry for the long overdue reply. Good for you for all you’re doing. Music can be a very rewarding career or passionate hobby. Keep up the great work.

  2. Hi Russ,

    I really loved what you wrote about your friend Boo. I the spirit of sharing, I assume that my biggest influence came from my family, not in something specific I did in my ife so far but in the general sense of life 😉

    Good Luck!

  3. Hello Russ. My influence was myvdad amused how he played guitar an would sing country music. I remember when my dad started playing pastsy so I started singing with him an he was surpised at me an said to me u have a great voice. Yrs later singing in step dads truck an mother there course she said I aounded bad but step dads said she can carry her notes I love to sing. But distance self only to self an really don’t sing in front of others.mom to 3 grown an 13 grandkids became my life

  4. Hello Mr. Still
    As a child I grew up around a few major artists such as George Strait and Garth Brooks. George Strait and my father would team rope in many places around Texas, at the time I he would sing and perform at many of the rodeos, but was nowhere near as famous as he is today, however I had no doubt he was one to be on the look out for. I would speak to him every chance I would get about playing the guitar I was determined to play it and tried, but was never successful. My childhood overall was a great one looking back on it now, I just wish I wouldn’t have taken it for granted! Changing the subject a bit my mother remarried in 1998 to my stepfather Tommy Lee Vick Jr. Took me a bit to warm up to him, but when I did he was the father my brother and I never had! Years before marrying my mother he had his own band such as yourself and went on several tours. He was to open for Charlie Pride in Uvalde Tx, but my stepfather would no join some organization he needed to in order to open the show, so they would not let him open. Unfortunately one of the many stories I remember. He idolized Hank Williams as he did many others. We lived in Del Rio on the Rio Grand river and there my stepfather would have 4 to 6 parties that would last anywher From a weekend to a whole entire week and many bands both local and a far would come and they would play mus if, BBQ, drink and make many amazing memories that would last a lifetime! Many people had him in their wills to sing at their funerals, which I thought was a great honor! Needless to say I till this day have not been able to learn how to play the guitar, and have no intentions on giving up. I have been wanting to tell this story for as long as I can remember, I just never had the opportunity, so THANK YOU so much for this!
    Best of luck to all of you and may God bless You!
    Hope to one day see you live, it would be an honor, saving the best for last, I really enjoy what you guys are doing!! Thank you again!!

  5. Hi Russ,
    Love your journey with Boo and your music!
    My 1st influence was the owner of the Strand movie theater in West Orange,Texas that I worked at from 14-18 years old .I fell in love with movies.and wanted to be in them. He told me i could do anything I wanted to do with my belief in myself and my smile. When I was a kid, Hispanics had a hard time getting jobs so I beat the odds early on and I never stopped working toward making my dreams come true. When I was 22 I was a stewardess for Eastern Airlines and was picked to be in the Miss USA as Miss Hospitality. I was discovered by one of the judges and proud to say 49 years later I’m still doing what I love. I always tell people that the door of opportunity is open to anyone that is willing to go thru it! Childhood adventures sometimes are what we love to do in life! Congrats Russ to your incredible career!

  6. I’m Billy, been playing guitar since 1975! David Bowie was the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. I’m heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, Billy Idol, Johnny Cash to name but a few. Finding it harder as I get older but still rockin’

  7. Hey Russ. Great to read a bit more about you there. My father instilled a strong work ethic in me from a young age. I’ve no musical background as some of your followers have but I love listening to all types of music, but nothing from today, all rubbish if you ask me.
    I work in Alder Hey children’s hospital Liverpool UK,in the operating theatres. Seeing some of the kids and what they go through, gives me a different perspective in life, how they deal with their illnesses and injuries, is nothing short of remarkable. They are so inspirational and they give me the strength to see me through any dark times in my life.
    Best wishes, Robbie

  8. My dad was my biggest influence.. He was a lead singer and keyboard,piano,and organ player.. I became a drummer at age 3 and played with him and his group.. Music was always part of our household!!

  9. Growing up in the eastern counties in the UK the biggest influence on my musical influences was the emergence of the pop pirate radio stations – broadcasting from old ships off the east coast (and one off the west coast) sat outside territorial waters in the 1960s. There was precious little access to pop, rock and soul music until the pirates came on the scene and offered a diet of old classics and new releases. It was all very commercial and owed a lot to American radio but it widened the ears of this eager to listen fan – and I’ve been listening to all kinds of music ever since. The pirates were all but sank by the government of the time, but their legacy lives on/

  10. hi Russ,Billy Power,my dad’s record collection,as kids growing up,my dad had this huge record collection,Hank Williams,Jim Reeves,Marty Robbins,to name but a few,and I would listen to them and I was hooked,not being able to sing,i went to work in radio so’s that I could share this amazing music with people.
    I have been very lucky to still be presenting on radio to-day.I have a radio programme on TCRFM,in Tramore,Co.Waterford,in Ireland,called Country,Americana,Rhythm and Roots,it is broadcast every Tuesday at 3-5pm GMT.and it is going well!

  11. Well I’ve always loved music and believe if we had money when we were young could have been schooled in singing.. Lot of people have said I’ve a pretty good voice.. I honestly believe my second husband really inspired me in music ..He played with some bands .. the Cunga drums and was very good in all music . I enjoyed your blog Russ and Thanks again
    Sincerely
    Sherri K.

  12. My name is Brandon Johnson influences have been people like Stephen King a lot of different musicians I like rap hip hop R&B old school classic rock rock metal country Light easy just a variety of music friends have been an influence I am working on a poetry book as well as a cooking show people like Russ are great influence if you want to do something in life just be like Russ and do it and love it and shows in his music that’s all for now but best of wishes in your music career Russ and hope your band takes off

  13. Hi Russ,

    Your Blog made me think about earliest musical influences and it made me realise this comes from my older siblings listening to their music. At the time Dr Hook and Kris Kristofferson and the likes kind of gripped me but not till now did I think how much that shaped my musical taste.

    As for who shaped me and who guided me there is only one answer… God.

    God is Great, Beer is good, and people are crazy!!

    All the very best to you and yours,
    David McElhill (Scotland)

Comments are closed.