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Press Releases: |
A Tale of Buck, Russ, Bakersfield and a Watermelon-colored Suit
(Originally published in the Bakersfield Business Journal, January 22, 2001)
By Walter Stormont
Buck Owens' Crystal Palace has established itself as a destination point for travelers from around the world. It's definitely a destination for one young singer/songwriter from Black Creek, North Carolina.
When Russ Varnell, a lifelong Buck Owens fan, first met his musical hero in person at the Palace, he was a bit tongue-tied. "I was so nervous, man, I could hardly think of a thing I wanted to say," admitted the 25-year-old in his country tone. "But I was like a little young'n at Christmas time!"
That meeting, in the summer of 1998, was the result of a long-time correspondence between Varnell and Owens. When Varnell finally got to come out and see Buck and the Buckaroos in person, he sent a note up to the stage, was acknowledged by Buck and summoned backstage between performances. "Man, I about fell out!" Varnell said.
Since then, Varnell has been onstage several times with Buck and the Buckaroos, most recently December 1 and 2 when he and Owens dueted on four songs: "Above and Beyond," "Hello Trouble," "Act Naturally" and "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)." That last song is the first song Varnell ever learned the words to.
"I was raised watching shows like 'Hee Haw' and 'The Porter Wagoner Show,'" Varnell said. "Every Saturday night everybody had to get really quiet when Hee Haw came on. I remember watching Buck play his red, white and blue guitar on there, and my parents (Ted and Betty Varnell) had a bunch of Buck Owens records, and it all started from there. Since then I've been buying his records and ordering them from wherever I can find them. I've finally got all of them except for the ones released overseas, and there's one 45 that I don't have called 'Seasons of My Heart.'"
Varnell is also a magnet for Buck Owens memorabilia. One very special item was acquired in 1998 between gigs at the North Carolina State Fair, where Varnell performs annually. A wax museum at the fair was populated by likenesses of such celebrities as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, "Seinfeld's" Kramer... and Buck Owens, holding his trademark red, white and blue guitar. For several years, Varnell asked the museum owner whether the guitar was for sale, and each year the answer was "No."
Persistence paid off on November 4, 1998 when the owner told Varnell he was closing up shop and finally offered the guitar for sale. "He also said he had this red suit that used to be on the wax statue of Buck," Varnell said. "So I told him I would buy the guitar if he would throw in the suit." It was a deal.
"I threw the suit in the back of my car," Varnell continued, "and when I got home I looked inside the suit and saw that it had Buck's name written inside, and it had the label, 'Nudie Western Wear -- Hollywood, California.' Man, I about fell out! I couldn't believe it."
Nudie is legendary for making costumes for many country and western stars, including Owens. "I quickly ran to my room to look over my Buck record collection," Varnell said. "I was very excited when I saw him wearing it on two album covers: 'Together Again' and 'On the Bandstand' from 1963."
During his trip to the Crystal Palace earlier that year, Varnell had met Buckaroos keyboardist and museum coordinator Jim Shaw. He sent Shaw a picture of the red suit to verify its authenticity. "Meanwhile I had the suit, which was now my most prized possession, hanging up in my room.
"One night, out of the blue, who calls me up but Jim Shaw and tells me that the suit was one of two that was stolen before I was even born," Varnell continued. "He asked me if I could send it to let Buck see if it was really the one, and if it was he would give me a great offer. So, with the help of my local postmaster, I sent the suit in a big, flat, secured cardboard box."
The suit was confirmed to be the real article from the early 1960's. "It was Buck's first fancy tailor-made suit," Shaw said recently. It had been stolen along with a blue costume, which is still missing.
Known as the "watermelon-colored suit," Varnell's find is now proudly displayed near the stage at the Crystal Palace. The offer he got for it was one he could not refuse: tickets to Buck Owens' 70th birthday bash in August 1999, complete with airfare and accommodations. During that gala, Varnell was asked to get up and perform a song with the Buckaroos. He chose David Alan Coe's "You Never Call Me By My Name."
The following year, before Varnell took the stage with Buck, Owens saluted the young fan who donated his prized possession. "As much as it meant to him... he graciously gave it back to us so we could put it in the museum," Owens said. "He let us have it like the gentleman that he is, and I sure appreciate that."
When one first sees the clean-cut Varnell in his fancy western suit, it's obvious that he reveres the traditions of country music as established by people like Owens, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams. When visiting Bakersfield, Varnell has shown a keen interest in exploring the city's rich musical history, even performing at Trout's with the great Red Simpson and visiting Simpson's home.
Varnell and his harmonica-playing cousin Charlie Flowers have made many friends at the Crystal Palace, including California Highway Patrol Officer Mack Wimbish, who arranged for the boys to go on a ride-along in a Highway Patrol cruiser. "The very nice patrol officer was named Aaron Taylor... A. Taylor," Varnell said, "and we thought that was really cool because we in North Carolina can identify with sheriff Andy Taylor from the Andy Griffith Show!"
Varnell and Flowers also drove around town extensively with local draftsman Joe Stormont [the author's brother], who showed them such historic sites as the old Lucky Spot honky-tonk on Edison Highway. While out that way, Varnell stopped in at the Mercado Latino and purchased a classic cowboy suit -- reminiscent of those worn by Hank Williams -- which he soon wore onstage at the Crystal Palace.
The visitors also paid their respects at the grave of Don Rich, Owens' musical partner and close friend who died in a motorcycle accident in 1974. "He's buried right beside Buck's mom and dad," Varnell said.
Another point of interest the men went looking for was the famous "box-car" house which was Merle Haggard's boyhood home in Oildale. "I read Merle's new book and he told the street address of the house," Varnell said, "so we went looking for it, and we were having trouble finding it. We came across some people walking down the street and asked them where the old Haggard house was. They said, 'Hey, we live in that house... it's right here!' And there it was, looking right at us." The current occupants kindly let the visitors look around and take pictures of the house.
Fittingly, Varnell crossed paths last month with another performer who, like himself, has been greatly influenced by Buck Owens... Dwight Yoakam.
"That was something," Varnell said. "We didn't have any idea it was going to happen." During the premiere of Yoakam's movie "South of Heaven, West of Hell" at Bakersfield's Pacific Theaters Valley Plaza, Varnell and company sat in the very back of the theater and were among the first to exit when the feature was over. And there stood Yoakam.
"He was kind of hiding behind the door, trying not to be seen by everybody," Varnell said, "and I asked him if we could get a picture. He said, 'Sure.' He came out and was just as nice as if we'd known him all the while."
Back in North Carolina, Varnell has left his job as a car salesman to pursue his music career full-time. He performs frequently at places like Buck's Western Saloon and the Nashville Palace. "Every show I do, I talk about Buck Owens and do a couple of Buck Owens songs," Varnell said, "and I'll always do so wherever I sing."
During a May 2000 engagement at the Nashville Palace, former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda happened to be in the audience. Varnell has a video of Lasorda praising the humble young crooner. "Let me tell you something, Russ, you've got talent," Lasorda tells Varnell on the tape. "I've heard a lot of country and western singers, like Randy Travis... he used to wait on me before he became a star! You can be one of the great country and western singers in this country. All you need is somebody to give you a break."
Lasorda added, "If I wasn't in baseball, I tell you, I'd be your agent. I'd let everybody in the country hear you."
Varnell has a smooth, laid-back style with a voice slightly akin to those of Travis and Yoakam. He's written a number of songs with his friend Joey Talton, including "She's in Everybody's Arms But Mine," and "It's a Country Thing, You Wouldn't Understand." Varnell has self-produced three tapes of music, and his mailing address is P.O. Box 146, Black Creek, NC 27813.
Varnell has two brothers: Jim, an engineer and David, a preacher. "My dad tells everybody he's got a son that's a preacher and one that's a honky-tonk singer," Varnell said with a chuckle.
During a telephone interview from his home in Black Creek, Varnell pointed out, "People around here keep calling me, 'Buck Owens, Jr.' Everybody identifies me with Buck Owens." It's a label he's honored to wear.
"If it wasn't for Buck Owens, I would not be pursuing a singing career," Varnell said. "I feel very privileged and fortunate to have met him and performed with him. I couldn't ask for anything better. The greatest moment of my small career is being able to sing with Buck Owens."
One final word from Buck concerning the young man who found his watermelon-colored suit. "I told him there was one other stolen with it," Owens said during a Crystal Palace show. "And if he finds it, bring it too!" |
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Varnell showcases 'real’ country
By Laura McFarland
Rocky Mount Telegram
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Real country music is a dying art form.
Sure, artists like Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts sell millions of CDs and downloaded songs every year, but Russell Varnell does not consider them “real” country.
If people want to hear real country music, at least as far as Varnell is concerned, they would do better to listen to Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, Roy Clark and Merle Haggard rather than what is on modern radio, he said.
“If there was an endangered list for music, I would say real country, honky tonk music, is definitely on the endangered list, and we need to do something about it and keep it alive,” said Varnell of Wilson
Varnell’s solution was to create “Russ Varnell Real Country Music Show,” which airs at 3 p.m. Sundays on WHIG-TV and on the station’s Web site, whigtv.com. During the 30-minute program, the host shows video clips of country legends, up-and-coming artists and his own group, Russ Varnell and His Too Country Band.
The show started in March and has received positive feedback from local viewers and people who watch it on the Internet, said Sandra Smith, general manager of WHIG-TV. Varnell had a comedy show on the station several years ago that was popular with audiences. People seem to like the new one even more, Smith said.
“I have never seen anybody his age that is as passionate about the old artists as he is and keeping the old music alive,” Smith said.
However, Varnell doesn’t want people to think of his show as just about old country music.
“Real country music is not a thing of the past. It is still alive and well, and people need to come out and embrace those artists that are performing it,” Varnell said.
Life:
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 9:25 AM
Varnell shares love of country music
Music show on TV and Internet
By Caroline Dolman | Daily Times Apprentice
Local musician Russ Varnell is sharing his passion for country music on WHIG-TV of Rocky Mount and on the Internet.
Varnell describes the 30-minute "Russ Varnell Real Country Music Show" as featuring "myself and the band (Russ Varnell and His Too Country Band), clips of us, clips showing country music legends, and clips of brand-new up-and-coming artists. We even do comedy skits."
Varnell loves what he calls "real country music," and the name of his band reflects that.
"People said to me all the time, 'Y'all are great, but you're too country,'" Varnell said.
Hence, the name of Varnell's band was born.
Varnell thinks that some of what is generally classified as "country music" is not "real country music."
"I don't really consider Keith Urban and the Rascal Flatts real country," Varnell said, citing artists Buck Owens, George Jones, Dale Watson and Elizabeth Cook as "real country" musicians.
Varnell himself is no stranger to country music.
"I've been involved in the music industry since '94," Varnell said. "I grew up loving country music, and I'm passionate about promoting real country music. Country radio is so limited; they only want to play a few (artists)."
Varnell revels in that opportunity to promote the music that he loves and decided to have a show on both television and the Internet to take full advantage of that ability.
"I had a show on the same station three years ago, and they were wanting me to come back," Varnell said. "I did TV specials occasionally through the last three years, and I saw the broadcasting on the Internet and the feedback from different states."
Ultimately, Varnell says that the main benefits of broadcasting via the Internet are "having a live call-in show and a larger viewing audience."
"My favorite part is showing old artists and new, that people have either forgotten about or may not be familiar with, helping discover (artists) or helping people remember an artist they'd forgotten about."
The job does not come without its challenges, however.
Varnell, who also works another job, cites "putting it all together, editing the clips and finding the time" as the challenges that the show presents.
The hurdles have been worth it, however, and the response from local and out-of-state viewers has been positive, he said.
"Since my first episode aired ... I have had an overwhelming amount of response from viewers in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Tennessee and several local viewers as well."
"Russ Varnell Real Music Show" airs Sundays at 3 p.m. and Mondays at 11 p.m. on WHIG-TV and whigtv.com.
The show is on Channel 17, Channel 19, or Channel 33 if you have Sudden Link, Time Warner or UHF, respectively.
For more information, go to russvarnell.com or visit his myspace page.
PRESS RELEASE:
By: Marty Martel
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
I met Russ Varnell several years ago on a show in N.C., and over the years Russ has continued with a deep passion to keep real country music alive by his performances and his support of our great music. He said "If there was an endangered list for music, I would say real country, honky tonk music is definitely on the endangered list, and we need to do something about it, and keep it alive." And that is what this young man is doing and doing it with his band, the way he dresses and now he is bringing to all of you with his new show on WHIG-TV-Rocky Mount, NC, "The Russ Varnell Real Country Music Show." The show features Russ, his band His Too Country Band, along with co-host Michelle Patterson.
This young man deserves the opportunity to be on a major record label so that pure country music has an outlet to stay alive. Will that happen-who knows. The country music industry is deep in the deepest hole that the new country people have dug so deep that we need all of the Russ Varnell's we can find. So I am asking you to tune in on your computer to this young man's show and enjoy the great country music that is so hard to find anymore. A great big thank you for WHIG-TV for airing the show.
AND HE ALSO DESERVES A GUEST APPEARANCE ON THE GRAND OLE OPRY.
The following are the times for you to view the show and please let Russ know that you watched his show. Check out his website and drop him a line: http://russvarnell.com
Airing as follows:
Sundays at 3PM EST
Mondays at 11:30 PM EST
Thursdays at 10:30 PM EST
Here is the internet info: http://www.whigtv.com
Channel 17 Sudden Link
Channel 19 Time Warner
Channel 33 UHF
Marty
Varnell places 1st at folk festival
RALEIGH - Local country music singer Russ Varnell won first place in the male vocalist category at the North Carolina State Fair's Folk Festival.
Varnell competed Oct. 22 in two shows and was accompanied by the State Fair Band. He performed "Tiger by the Tail," "Sing Me Back Home," "There Goes My Everything" and "You Never Called Me By My Name."
He won a cash prize as well as a trophy.
After his performance, Varnell was invited by Grand Ole Opry legend Jack Greene to go backstage at a Dorton Arena performance that night by Opry legends. He visited with hall of famers Ray Price and Little Jimmy Dickens as well as legends Gene Watson, Ralph Emery and Jeannie Seely.
You can see Varnell Nov. 16 at Black Creek Heritage Day Festival. He and the Lost Highway Band will be opening act for The Derailers.
You can also check out Varnell on his new Web site: www.russvarnell.com or on his weekly television show, "The Russ Varnell Show" on WHIG-TV in Rocky Mount every Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 10 p.m.
October 31, 2002
Varnell places 1st at folk festival
Newspaper: The Online Edition (http://www.wilsondaily.com)
Edition: 103102
To read this entire article and other related stories, visit The Online Edition at the following URL:http://www.wilsondaily.com/nh/article.nh?ed=103102&id=1a&art=li-russ.web&sec=&ref=email |
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 Varnell's country songs playing in Belgium
Country singer Russ Varnell has gone international.
The local singer, who released the compact disc "Playin' Every Honky Tonk in Town" last year, is now being heard in Belgium. In fact, a radio station has selected the music as "album of the week."
Varnell gets quite a few inquiries from disc jockeys across the country about his CD, which was recorded inElm City.
They read about it on his Web site, www.russvarnell.com.
"Two were a little bit different from the rest," Varnell said. "One was from Australia and the other from Belgium."
Varnell sent each DJ a copy of his CD.
"A few weeks after I sent them I heard back from Alain Joris, who is a famous on-air personaility in Belgium. He tells me that my CD is some of the most requested music on his station."
Joris, who has a radio show "Country Club," sent a copy of his radio show to Varnell.
"I'm very proud of the honor," Varnell said. "and hope to continue to get lots of air play in Belgium, the United States and anywhere else there is someone playing country music."
January 15, 2004
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Friday, October 16, 2009 9:34 AM
Varnell joins entertainers' organization
Country singer Russ Varnell of Wilson has returned from Nashville, Tenn., where he was made a member of Reunion of Professional Entertainers Organization.
ROPE includes country music legends as members as well as up and coming country singers.
Varnell, along Roger Gilmore, longtime drummer of Varnell's Too Country Band, attended the 22nd annual Rope Awards Show in Nashville Oct. 8. They met and socialized with a number of music legends such as Kitty Wells, Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Hamilton IV , Stan Hitchcock and more.
"This is really an honor, and Roger Gilmore and I really had a great time attending this great event," Varnell said.
Varnell and his band will perform at Louisburg Senior Center Friday, at Black Creek Heritage Day Saturday at 10 a.m. and at the State Fair Monday.You can also watch Varnell & His Too Country Band Each Week on Varnell's TV/Internet Show "The Russ Varnell Real Country Music TV Show" Broadcast each week on WHIGTV & WHIGTV.COM.
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It’s Opry Time!
The 31st Annual Elsie Clark Memorial Nashville Opry was postponed in January after a winter storm brought snow and ice to Nash County on the eve of the event. The event is set for Saturday night, February 27 from 5 until 10:30 p.m. at the Nash County Agriculture Center. Entertainment includes performances by Linda Ripke, Joe Tripp, the Downeast Gospel Trio, Ronnie Ezzell, Alvin Smith as Elvis, Russ Varnell and several more. |
Russ Varnell is one of the performers on the program for the Elsie Clark Memorial Nashville Opry to be held this weekend.
Contributed photo
Opry benefits local students
Fundraiser runs this weekend
By Laura McFarland
Rocky Mount Telegram
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Music lovers have a full night ahead of them.
A line-up of country, bluegrass, rock ’n’ roll and gospel musicians will take the stage Saturday for the annual Elsie Clark Memorial Nashville Opry, said Mary Wells, talent coordinator. The show begins at 5 p.m. and is expected to go to 11 p.m. at the Nash County Agriculture Center, 1006 Eastern Ave., in Nashville.
“People get into it. You see them get up across the front and do a little shagging. We don’t have a dance floor and it is not a dance, but people can have a good time. We have people who will be there when it opens and there when it closes,” Wells said.
The Nashville Business and Professional Women’s Organization has sponsored the concert for 31 years as a fundraiser for scholarships for local high school seniors, Wells said.
The musicians playing in the concert will be the Jenkins Brothers, Joe Tripp, Ben Windley, the Southern Praise Band, Ronnie Ezzell, Alvin Smith, Russ Varnell, Dry Creek Bluegrass, Father and Son and New Grace Gospel, Wells said.
All of the musicians play for free so the concert can raise more money, said Shirley House, one of the organizers. In trade, though, they receive good exposure among people who might not have heard them yet.
“If they are somebody who is trying to get ahead, it gives them an opportunity to perform so people can see what they can do. They in return are offered the chance to sell what they are doing, CDs or if they are selling something to promote their entertainment,” House said.
The event also will include craft vendors and refreshments so people do not have to leave the concert for dinner, Wells said.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger and can be purchased at the door.
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Press Releases
