JOHNNY RUSSELL...   

...was a singer whose hit recordings are considered by many to have influenced the  
 content, direction and popularity of today's country music.

 ...was a songwriter whose million-selling classics have been recorded by everyone    
 from Dolly Parton to Burl Ives to the Beatles.

 ...was a comedian, whose quick wit and rapid-fire humor delighted audiences 
 throughout the United States and Europe.

  ...was a stimulating storyteller.

  ...and was, in the finest sense of the word, an entertainer.

  Singer.  Songwriter.  Comedian.  Raconteur.  It takes many words to describe Johnny 
  Russell.  They all add up to one thing, Total Entertainer.

  Chet Atkins produced a recording of  "In a Mansion Stands My Love" with legendary
  Jim Reeves released on the flip-side of Reeves' million seller, "He'll Have to Go".

  Johnny returned to California and became a part of the thriving west coast music  
   scene.  There, Buck Owens recorded Russell's "Act Naturally," which catapulted
   both men into national prominence.

  As a songwriter, the most celebrated "Act Naturally" has been Russell's most
   prominent achievement--which has to date, sold in excess of 30 million copies.

  "Act Naturally" has been re-released on the Beatles "Help" compact disc, and is the
   title track on Owens' "Act Naturally" album.

"I think if you could find the definition of country-music in Webster's Dictionary," Atkins once stated, "you would surely see songs like 'Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue-Ribbon Beer,' 'Catfish John,' and 'The Baptism of Jesse Taylor' as some of the finest examples of that definition."

Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt included the Russell-penned "Makin' plans" on their "Trio" album.  George Strait recorded Russell's "Let's Fall to Pieces Together," which went #1 in Billboard.

"You'll be Back" by the Statlers, Gene Watson's "Got No Reason Now for Goin' Home" and Bobby Vinton's "The Only Fire That Burns" are other hits written by Russell.  His songs have been recorded by Loretta Lynn, Burl Ives,  Dottie West,  Patti Page, Vince Gill, and many more.

Russell once quipped, "I've always loved to laugh, especially at my self.  Probably my greatest satisfaction is to see my audiences give off a good belly laugh.  It makes me feel great!  I know they're enjoying themselves.  And that's what entertainment is all about.  That's my job."

In 1985 Russell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, fulfilling one of his lifelong goals.  Hal Durham of the Opry, once said, "Johnny consistently delights the Grand Ole Opry audiences with his unique style of singing and comedy.  He is an outstanding showman who carries on our tradition of quality entertainment here at the Opry."

Johnny Russell passed away on July 3rd, 2001, at the age of 61.  His funeral was on July 6th, the day he would have celebrated his 16th year as a member of the Opry.  He will truly be missed.

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