For Shawna, who has just released quite an impressive self-titled sophomore album, the Summer Oil Patch Festival represents a homecoming, of sorts. Though she wasn’t born in Drumright, she does feel a special kinship with the community.
“The cool thing is that my video for ‘Should’ve Been Born With Wheels’ was filmed right here in Drumright,” she says. “I feel like I have a connection with a lot of the people here in this community. They come out every year to be a part of my show, and that makes me feel very privileged.”
Russell, who has performed at the Summer Oil Patch Festival for the past few years, was truly humbled by the fact that audiences for her performance have grown steadily over time, and this year, many in the crowd were chanting Russell’s lyrics right back at her. “That’s amazing,” Shawna said. “When I look out and know that people actually know the words to the songs. As soon as I get off the stage, my legs are shaking, and there’s such an adrenaline rush. That’s what you want as an artist. You want to be able to put that show on for those people who have been sitting out there in the heat all day long. I really wanted to knock their socks off, and give them 100% of what I have.
When it comes to giving 100% of themselves, Russell was quick to point out the work of Rick Sellers, who hosts the event each year.
“We couldn’t do it without him,” Russell declares. “Everything is generated around him, and both he and Myrna are so wonderful to work with. He’s so supportive, and a great cheerleader. I’m so happy to have him on our team.”
She admits that the event – all totally free – takes a lot of people by surprise. “What’s amazing it that you try to tell people about it, and you have to reiterate that everything is free – the admission is free, the food is free, the drinks are free. Every bit of it is free—just because Rick has such a big heart, and just wants to give a piece back to this community.”
Russell was certainly the fan favorite at the Summer Oil Patch Festival, performing a mix of her singles thus far, and also including some songs that had influenced her, such as Linda Rondstadt’s “You’re No Good.” Shawna also made a huge impact on the fans in attendance, as she had one of the longest autograph lines of the day, by far.
Currently, the enchanting songstress is on the road to promote both her new album, as well as the first single and video, the frisky “Get Right Or Get Left.”
“I co-wrote the song with my dad and my uncle,” Russell said.”We had a good family friend, and that was one of his lines that he would use on the ladies----‘If you don’t get right, you’re gonna get left behind.” We thought it would be a great hook for a song. It’s one of those attitude-driven songs where the guy isn’t doing what he needs to be doing, and she’s telling him ‘Look, if you don’t get things right, I’m gonna leave you.”
Shawna said that she enjoys getting to play a character through a song that might be a little different than who she is. “It’s okay to portray that certain kind of assertive character,” she says. “That’s not who I am as a person, but it’s fun to be able to play that role, and be able to be that assertive and get away with it.”
All in all, with an ever-growing fan base, and positive review after review, it seems that Russell is on the fast track to superstardom, though she just wants her music to impact the listeners. “I’m doing what I love to do, but it makes me feel so good to know that people are responding to the song, and my music. It just makes you want to keep going. “
Enjoy this video about the festival and featuring Shawna Russell:
For more on Shawna Russell, log on to www.ShawnaRussell.com!
0 Comments