Russ Baum is one of those guys, after just a couple of minutes talking to him, you feel a little bit better about humanity. If a hard-working musician like Russ can be so doggone hopeful and optimistic, surely you can deal with whatever headwinds or uncertainties you might have in your own life. He’s just kind of infectious, in a good way.
Russ will be bringing his uplifting version of folk, rock and Americana music to Red Bicycle Hall this Saturday, March 21st, at 8:00. Tickets are at MadTixEvents.com. “There’s a bit of Ska style in my music, too,” explains Russ. “I like to call it Skamericana!” Ska is a Jamaican roots precursor to reggae and rocksteady styles. Very uptempo and, well, infectious!
Russ’s journey to full-time working musician is one of faith, epiphany, and perseverance. “I was a meter reader for 10 years after high school,” says Russ. “Just doing the job, living the life, getting the paycheck. I was playing music at bars on weekends, but nothing too involved. Then one day, soon after my son was born, I was sitting in my work truck, and it just hit me, like a bolt of lightning from God … a voice in my head said, You need to pursue your music full time or the dream will just wither and die.
“I called my boss right then and there and quit my job. I told my mom and she said, I’ve been waiting your whole life to see you follow your dream! I told my dad and he said, Call your boss back and tell him you didn’t mean it.
“But I did mean it. Writing and playing music is what I was put on earth to do. That was 17 years ago, and I’ve been a full-time working musician ever since. It hasn’t always been easy, there’s been a lot of sleeping in cars, a lot of rest stops. But I don’t get discouraged. People respond to my music, and when I connect with a new person and turn them into a fan, that’s what keeps me going.
“I’m starting to get a following now, the audiences are getting bigger. I feel like I have some momentum. I’m pretty sure I have fans in all 50 states, plus I’ve been to the UK a couple times and have earned some love over there.
“On the plus side, being on the road a lot leads to a lot of new and interesting experiences and meeting new people. I keep a journal of everything I see and feel as I go, and that gives me plenty of material for new songs. Generally I’ll end up with about 10 new songs a year. I have a full album releasing later this year, and I plan to get it pressed in vinyl, which will be a first for me.
“I want to encourage everyone to come out to the Red Bike this Saturday and join the fun. We have a 3-piece band this time, so there will be some great drum beats laying down. It’s guaranteed to move the body, move the mind, and without a doubt send you home with a smile on your face. Oh, and the opening act Sweet G will be dishing out a lot of soul sounds, so we have all the bases covered. Hope to see all my old friends at the show, and maybe make some new ones!”
HOT TIP OF THE WEEK
The hot music news of the moment is that Joe Perkinson and Deano Crafton are back from their winter break. These are two of Madison’s most entertaining and talented musicians, both having decades of experience playing with literally dozens of bands. They are at a point in their lives now where they are playing more for sheer joy of it, and we all get to reap the benefits. You can pretty much catch them at least once every week, sometimes more often, and the shows are just familiar and fun and delightful. Joe’s singing is spot on, and Deano’s guitar work is stellar. This week they are at the Riverboat Inn, which is an intimate and relaxed place to see live music. Their other show is Sunday at Rivertown Grill, but be advised Rivertown may be closed at the moment, per a recent post from the owner. More on that when we learn more.
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