Vickie Russell

A whole year has passed since our founding father decided to throw a whole new spin on the concept of promoting and aiding independent musicians by creating a website devoted to the same right here in the picturesque state of New Jersey. None of us here in the offices of LRA dare to ask how he came up with the idea (although water cooler speculation eludes to everything from shear genius to the use of some very expensive drugs). Nevertheless, the concept has grown from aiding the independent musician with music related forums and free classified ads to actual content and testimonials from successful indie artists that further aid in the success of budding new artists. Since none of us are getting paid for our work yet, expensive drugs couldn’t possibly be the reason. It must be shear genius.

Singer/songwriter Vickie Russell, a native of LRA’s home state of New Jersey, makes a Full Time living from music. It certainly doesn’t hurt that she has the rare talent as a vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist, but sometimes it takes more than talent alone to make it in the music business. Afterall, becoming a success in the music business takes a certain determination and a whole lot of business savvy. Vickie’s determination to make it as a performer was solidified at a very young age when she declared to her family that she would “become famoused”. Although it was recognized that Vickie had a great deal of musical talent during her younger days, her father encouraged her to go to college in order to have something to fall back on. Vickie heeded her father’s words by attending Loyola University in New Orleans and later The University of Florida as a psychology major. Nothing could suppress Vickie’s determination to be a musician. During her college days, Vickie fulfilled her nights playing in professional bands and entertaining folks 5 nights a week at the Great Southern Music Hall in Gainesville among others venues.

After College, Vickie returned to her birthplace, Manhattan, and began singing in professional bands at The Bitter End, The Sidewalk Café and Town Hall to name a few. All of this while making a living as a waitress.

Vickie’s determination to do what she wanted to do and live where she wanted to live led her nature loving persona to New Paltz, New York where she rented a cottage near Lake Minnewaska. Vickie started a Songwriter’s in the Round at the local Soleil Lune Cafe in order to get to know people that had the same passion.

Vickie’s music eludes to folk but has an eclectic drive harkening to Allanis Morissette, Sheryl Crowe and Bonnie Raitt. Vickie has opened for the likes of 10,000 Maniacs, Donovan, Rick Danko and Leon Russell (no relation). Vickie's drive has brought her to play at the Woodstock Festival on Yasgar’s Farm, Oxygen Network Tank Tour, Dewey Beach Music Festival in Delaware, and the Hudson Valley Music Festival. She has also traveled as far as Florida and Arizona to perform.

Vickie also garners airplay on several New York radio stations such as WDST, WVKR and WJFF. She has also garnered many awards from Ascap Billboard Song Contest, and Lilith Fair to name only a few.

Vickie Russell’s debut record “Welcome Home” was released in 2003. LRA understands that there is more to come. With this kind of gritty determination…we have NO DOUBT that Vickie will be headlining big shows very soon. LRA was able to secure an exclusive interview with the artist herself.

Welcome Home Vickie!

Let’s Rock America: There aren’t many people who can claim to make a living as a full time musician. Aside from being a full time singer/songwriter, there are some other music related projects that you are involved in. Tell us about them.

Vickie Russell: To help supplement my income as a performer, I do studio work as a back-up singer, pianist, and voice coach for other performers in the studio. I also teach performance workshops and voice lessons privately out of my studio which gives me flexibility with my schedule to tour whenever needed.

LRA: What inspires you to play music and write original music? Who were your influences and when did you know that you would become a full time performer?

Vickie: I feel so passionate about life, and songs are the perfect way for me to share my passion; at 3 minutes long, I can approach many different subjects in 1 show because of that. I love performing more than anything: my goal is to move people. When someone comes up to me after a show and tells me that they cried during a song, or they share a personal story with me because of a song they heard me do, then I feel I have done my job. I feel I am on this Earth to touch people’s hearts through music, and hopefully to uplift, open them up to new ideas and heal with beautiful melodies, humor and heartfelt stories. I always knew I wanted to be a performer for as long as I can remember. My early influences were Chopin, Bach, (I was a classical pianist growing up) and later: Elton John, Carol King, and Sting. When I was 12, I heard my first Elton John song and knew from that moment on that I would become a professional singer songwriter. Sting’s songs made me realize that I could open people’s hearts and minds with meaningful lyrics.

LRA: Your debut CD “Welcome Home” was released in 2003. Did you write 12 songs specifically for the record, or did you have more music to pick and choose from before going into the studio?

Vickie: I would have liked to have put 20 or more songs on the CD, because my songs are like my children, I love them all and wanted to give them all a chance to be heard, but it wasn’t financially feasible to put them all on, and anyway, ”less is more”. During the process of recording the CD, I wrote another song that I decided to put on as an afterthought.

LRA: A lot of the music from “Welcome Home” seems to focus on relationships. Do you find it easier to write music about real experiences or could you say you’re more of an observer writing about the human condition as you view it? Please elaborate if you can.

Vickie: When I first started as a new songwriter, writing from my own experiences was healing for me, but more recently I have become more of an observer because there are so many great stories out there that I want to share with the world, other than my own, but they still filter through my unique point of view. There will be more of those story songs on my upcoming CD.

LRA: You’ve opened for some very big people in the music business. What was your favorite live experience? What was the largest venue you played? Are there any memorable, awkward, or funny situations during one of your live shows that you may care to talk about?

Vickie: Opening for Donovan last summer at the Mahaiwe Theater in Gt. Barrington, MA was my favorite live show to date: a receptive audience, a sold out show, a beautiful theater, great 1890 Steinway grand to play, what could be better? The largest venues I’ve played have been the Town Hall in NYC, and the Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY. Two great old theaters that hold somewhere between 1000-2000 seats! Sometimes opening acts are treated like royalty and sometimes with complete disrespect. I have had both experiences. One of the most humiliating but satisfying experiences was when I opened for Rick Danko., the sweetest, most sincere star I’ve ever met. I was filling in for a fellow musician last minute who had come down with appendicitis. I had a long trip , and when I arrived an hour before the show, I was informed that I had missed the dinner that the “staff” was fed 3 hours earlier and would have to pay full price for an expensive dinner if I wanted to eat. (This was a restaurant/music club). So I settled for some soup and bread and decided not to complain about it. When Rick arrived, it was as if he knew what had happened without me saying a word about it. After my opening set, he refused to perform until I had enough to eat and drink. He had the club owner groveling, (which was quite a joy for me to watch after the way he had just treated me). Before Rick hit the stage, I had a free full course meal, drinks and dessert and the club owner asking me if I had everything I needed. Then I got to sing back-up with Rick. It was a great night.

LRA: Aside from creating music, you are your own manager, producer and publicist. Doesn’t it get a little overwhelming at times? How do you manage to keep everything so seemingly tidy?

Vickie: I have found that being organized is the key. Having a great database program really helps me. I use Indie Band Manager, a great musician’s database for managing your band. Yes, it is very challenging managing myself, writing, booking, performing, rehearsing, promoting, recording, teaching and trying to have a healthy balanced life: I feel I am doing 4 full time jobs at once. But I love performing more than anything, and if I am going to work hard, I might as well put all my energy into what I am most passionate about. Sometimes I just have to walk away from my office for a couple of days and then I come back refreshed and ready to tackle the next task at hand.

LRA: You got Garth Hudson of The Band to play accordion on “Take Care Of You” your ode to Rick Danko. What was it like to record with a legend and how did you get him in the first place?

Vickie: Garth lives nearby in Woodstock and my arrangers knew him and asked him to play on the Rick song. He was very sweet and easy to work with. He really is an amazing musician and quite humble. He also played at my CD release party. There are some photos on my website and I think there is a link to my website on his website as well.

LRA: Are there any plans for a second record?

Vickie: Yes, I am just finishing writing the songs now. I should be going into the studio in a couple of months.

LRA: Tell us everything we need to know about getting a copy of “Welcome Home” and getting to know more about you.

Vickie: I have a website where you can buy my CD and see my touring schedule, get on my e-mail list or just say hi in the guestbook: www.vickierussell.com My music is also available on i-tunes, and at CDBaby.com.

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This dialogue was reported by Rich Kubicz for www.letsrockamerica.com

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