He performs regularly in the country rock/Americana band, The Rhythm Rangers, with the bluegrass/Americana group, Under the Radar and as leader of the bluegrass-ish band Kevin Russell and his So Called Friends. He also performs occasionally with the Gram Parsons Tribute band, Laughing Gravy. In addition, he hosts Sonoma County music concerts by various touring musicians (Radney Foster, Jim Hurst, Kathy Kallick, Laurie Lewis, Mike Dowling & many others) and is the driving force behind The Sebastopol Guitar Festival, held in early February. He has appeared as a sideman on 21 local recordings by songwriters & groups, has recorded five CD's with his various bands and has five CD's out under his name. His newest project, an all acoustic bluegrass collection called Plain Dirt Fashion, came out in January 2014. He is a former DJ and writes CD reviews for the online website Freight Train Boogie. com.

And, lastly, Kevin has performed as a side player for a number of local songwriters, including Michael Capella, Mark McLay, Teresa Tudury, Doug Jayne, Audrey Auld, Greg Abel, Greg Scherer & more.

Kevin Russell and His So Called Friends

Kevin Russell and his So Called Friends is a group that plays an eclectic blend of acoustic music. Americana, or roots music, is a term given to music that seeks to blend elements of bluegrass, blues, swing jazz, folk, country, and even a little acoustic rock. And that exactly what they're up to. Their music is rooted in these genre's but with a modern sensibility. Using the typical bluegrass instrumentation of mandolin, fiddle, dobro, guitar, string bass and 5-string banjo they are as likely to do an Irving Berlin swing song from the 40's, or an old Ray Charles R&B tune, as a hard driving Bill Monroe bluegrass number, or a classic Jimmie Rogers country song. They’ve even been known to sneak in the occasional bluegrassified Beatles song! And when was the last time you heard a bluegrass reggae version of “Sitting Here in Limbo”?

Kevin Russell-guitar, resonator guitar, banjo & vocal

Markie Sanders -bass

Cori Wood-vocals

Ray Bierl -fiddle, guitar, vocals

Mayne Smith - vocals, dobro

and sometimes:

Layne Bowen-mandolin, guitar & vocal

The Rhythm Rangers

Often referred to as America’s jukebox, The Rhythm Rangers is a seven piece band that covers the range of American roots music. Drawing from the great American traditions of blues, rock, country, and western swing, they cover all the bases. In other words, Americana! From infectious dance-your-butt-off grooves to soulful, heart-rending ballads The Rhythm Rangers deliver!

Part of the success of the band is due to the many years experience of the band members. They are bay area music veterans who’ve all played in many bands and logged thousands of hours in the studio, doing live gigs and touring. Their first CD,"Not Out of the Woods Yet", was released in July 2008, & features versions of songs by Johnny Cash, Bob Wills, Jon Randall, Tim O'Brien & others. Though they didn’t win, this CD was nominated for a Grammy in 2008.

One fan’s view: “Thank you Kevin and thank you Rhythm Rangers! What a wonderful fun danceable upbeat positive vibrant rockin' down home bluesy glorious funky sandal kickin' show you put on for those of us lucky enough to hear you last night. And I got your new CD!

Thank you!” - Kim K.

The Rhythm Rangers are:

Kevin Russell- guitar and vocals

Rick Cutler-drums

Blair Hardman- bass

Kirby Pierce- keyboards

Cori Wood- vocals

Bobby Lee- pedal steel

Russ Gauthier- fiddle, mandolin, guitar