A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RUSS VARNELL

Russ Varnell was born May 31, 1975. He was born and raised all his life in Black Creek NC. Russ says " My parents raised me up listening to 100% hardcore traditional country music." Russ says he grew up watching "HEE HAW", "Porter Wagoner Show" on TV and listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio with his parents whenever they could get it to come in clear enough on their old home clock radio.

Russ musical influences are: George Jones, Merle Haggard, Elvis, Hank Sr., Ernest Tubb, Del Reeves, Don Rich, Red Simpson and most of all the Legendary Buck Owens! "I'm 100% a traditional real country singer" says Russ. "Nothing makes me more upset and let down than when I see and hear singers in our industry who claim to be country and then watch them sound like a rock or anything but a country singer!" "I sometimes think that my generation doesn't even know what a country singer supposed to sound like."

In the late 1990's a lifelong dream came true for Russ when on a crazy idea he decided to buy a plane ticket to Bakersfield Calif. just to go meet and see his idol and hero Buck Owens perform at his Country Music Nightclub in California. Little did Russ or anyone ever realize that he and his hero Buck would become friends and especially no one thought that Buck would invite Russ up to perform at the annual Buck Owens Birthday Party in Calif. Since then Russ has been honored to perform with Buck and the Legendary Buckaroos on several different occasions in California.

Russ also makes a couple trips a year to Nashville Tenn. to go to meet with industry insiders that hopefully can help the advancement of his career. While in Nashville Russ jumps at the chance to perform everywhere he can; for instance he has performed at various Nashville Clubs such as Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Legends Corner, Roberts Western Wear, The Stage, The Nashville Palace, Lonnie's Western Room, and many more in Nashville Tennessee.

Russ has been the subject of news stories on WTVD 11 and WRALTV5 in North Carolina. He has been featured in several articles in the Wilson Daily Times, Kenly News, Fremont Newsleader, The Rocky Mount Telegram, Bakersfield Business Journal and even featured in Country Weekly and Music City News National Magazines.

Also Russ has won several different talent contests throughout the years since he has been performing. Russ volunteers his talents to perform at several of the local rest homes in his home state of North Carolina for his elderly fans. He makes sure that he always has time to sit down and visit, no matter what.

Russ graduated in 1993 from Beddingfield High School in Wilson NC and has graduated from the Nash Community College Radio Broadcasting Course. Which enabled Russ to have his very own Radio show formerly on WMPM 1270 AM in Smithfield NC. Russ left his radio show when his busy performing schedule really took off and when WHIGTV in Rocky Mount offered him the chance to host, write, direct, and produce his own TV show, "The Russ Varnell Show" Currently being broadcast on WHIGTV in Rocky Mount NC every week for many years!

But mostly Russ stays very busy performing several shows every week somewhere either in his home state of North Carolina, Calif., Tenn. , or V.A., or where ever there's a huge crowd or even just a few folks that are willing to listen to some fine, true honky tonk , country music!!!!!

Russ also writes some of his songs that he performs which he has copyrighted with BMI Music in Nashville Tenn. Russ is a signed songwriter with BMI Music in Nashville, Tennessee.

Russ will make a great addition to any event big or small with his talents and charms so contact him for your booking or event as soon as you can. You'll be thrilled and very happy that you did!

Thanks to all of his many fans