Fans of The Country Network in our four-state region (Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas) may be seeing a familiar face rolling through one of their casinos sometime soon. Singer/songwriter Shawna Russell is the host of TCN's "Our Land: The Music Highway" and is touring casinos in the area with her band, The Wrinkled Wranch Hands.
The regional tour puts the Okemah, Okla., native in the position of being able to play original material as well as cover tunes, while introducing people to her music.
FAQ
Shawna Russell
WHEN — 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE — Bordertown Casino in Wyandotte, Okla.
COST — Free
INFO — bordertowncasino.com, shawnarussell.com
FYI — A meet-and-greet with Russell and the band will begin at 8:30 where fans can take pictures and get TCN swag.
"Getting to know people is one of the greatest things about being in this business. [It's given me] a stronger connection with the audience," Russell says of revisiting venues on the tour. "It's nice to have that fanbase and to see kind of some of the same people."
Used to giving interviews herself, Russell says joining TCN turned the tables on her. Now she's the one asking the questions and highlighting the best of each artist on "Our Land." Each show also features performances with her family band -- offering a taste of music fans can catch on her tour.
"I'm always more comfortable on stage than anywhere else," Russell says. She adds that getting to know other artists has contributed to her own stage presence. "Now, it feels like I know a little more about myself as an artist. [Those skills] have brought [my performance] to a new level -- I think that confidence has transferred to when I'm on stage."
Russell's folk/Americana sound was forged from her Oklahoma roots and enhanced by playing with her father and uncle -- The Wrinkled Wranch Hands.
"I've only gone out with them on the road, so there's a great dynamic," she says. "We write together, we produce together, then we perform together. It makes it really easy [because] we all know what sound we want, what we're capable of. We know what talents we can bring to each song. It gives a better focus."
-- Jocelyn Murphy
jmurphy@nwadg.com
NAN What's Up on 01/13/2017