Kevin Russell on Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Glen Campbell 

My Dad was a Willy fan in the late 70's and 80's. He still is. We drove to Luckenbach Texas in station wagon in the early 80s. There was nothing there. We were not even sure if we were there or not. Just a wooden building with a bunch of signatures. Waylon, Willy and the boys were not there that day. Just Mom, Dad and the boys that day.

The day of the interview started with my dog, Wendell waking me up at 4am in Indianapolis. After doing a bunch of things around the house, I drove 5 hours to Nashville. I went straight to 3rd and Lindsley and saw the band unloading their trailer in the alley. I went in and set up in the opening act's dressing room and started recording this before Shinyribs' soundcheck. I'm not sure why I'm sharing this, but I figured it was worth noting for history's sake. More importantly, Kevin is a good hang.

I only got hip to Kevin and Shinyribs a few years ago, loved his act from the moment I heard him. Unbelievable authentic Character. Thanks Otis, much love to Amy and the menagerie of pets.

Kevin is a wealth of knowledge about music history in Texas!

Loved it. Otis and Kevin Russell are the perfect match for an interview that'll be worth catching. Thanks guys.

Great interview Kevin…. I was born and raised in Port Arthur and Groves…now live in Port Neches….seen you several times locally at Courville’s in Beaumont and festivals …. Really enjoy your approach to your music career…I play bass guitar in 3 local bands…loved your reference to swamp pop…Jivin Gene Bourgeois is a close friend and we perform together occasionally…keep on rockin!

Kevin is entertaining as all get out. Great story teller.

I met him once at Gruene Hall in Gruene, Texas. The night I met him, the Gourds spontaneously played "LA Woman" in the middle of jam onstage. He was very nice, but dripping with sweat and clearly exhausted from playing in the heat. I used to see the Gourds all the time. I first heard the Gourds on KSYM, San Antonio College Radio. The first song I ever heard was "Growing A Beard" on the radio. Later I realized it was the same guys who did the Bluegrass version of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice." Later they always played "Burn the Honeysuckle" which was awesome, and I loved the album "Blood of the Ram." Shinyribs is wonderful, but I think the Gourds were one of my all-time favorite bands.

San Antonio to New Orleans and all that gumbo in between. Its a rich musical heritage and Kevin Russell captures it beautifully.

Genuine originals, the both of you! Feeling truly fortunate to have crossed paths with you two kind hearts.

that Glen Campbell reminisce had me welling up. Vile disease. we're all on the same conveyer belt, prayers for carers you will pass through the strait.

I’m from that area and he’s right

thank you O.G. ! another great interview with another good story teller.....you are on a roll

Love Kevin and his stories.... Thanks Otis!

Hey wait a minute… that’s not Kevin, that’s Shinyribs, Love your stuff Kevin.

otis i have been fiollowing you a year, i love the stories, thanks

I saw Jerry Jeff in concert in 1968. I think he was a DJ who reinvented himself. Like Sly Stone and the Big Bopper of “Chantilly Lace” fame.

Awesome integrity to give performers their space ! I recently lost a close friend that couldn’t remember my name. However, I could call out a song & Bill could totally pull it off, from gospel to Foghat’s Fool for the City. We can only hope that in that state, there is comfort in their minds.

JJ is still king in my book. Spent some time in the “green room” before a big outdoor show back in the 90s with JJ and his wife Susan. We brought in a big BBQ spread, and JJ flopped off his shoes and clipped his toe nails while we ate. Kevin nails it…JJ did what he wanted. You ought to have on Cowboy Bob Livingston or Gary P. Nunn to talk about the early days of Texas Progressive Music. Love your series.

Doug Sahm was great when he recorded two album's of swamp pop , with horns etc. Was one of the best 50s and 60s music he played and the TEX Mex with Meyers , Fender , and all the band members and of course his Cosmic Country rock sound. When the Gords first came out they sounded a LOT like Doug Sahm .

Great stories! Thanks Otis 😊

Great stuff Otis, great stuff.

Such a great spirit! Hats off to him.

my buddies....great seeing yall together much love and respect and stuff and things - SJOCR

brother otis and shiny kev are indeed a dyanamic duo im so glad i waited to watch these just before im fitna zoom chat with another lively rowdy honest cool cat (im pretty sure tho this is abotu to be the first chat ive done wiht somone ive had no prior interaction with...anyhoo) this is great inspiration and i love hearing shny kev crackin up with ya otis many many man ythanks - stephen jules otis career rubin SJOCR

Honest. brutal truth

Luv Kevin, the music he makes is great and soulful. You guys should jam during yr interviews, we all would luv it.

You are both a quality hang, sir. Hats off.

Love theGourds

❤❤❤

I love this guy’s vibe! Right up my alley. Is this done in a green room? Looks like it …

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I met Jerry Jeff in a bar called the Back Room on Riverside dr. In Austin 1978. He was high/drunk. You couldn't tell it when they got him on stage.

great snap shot of what Austin TX scene is like these days

Jerry Jeff was great.

Competency is not rampant in the music business 😂❤😊

I have seen music do some amazing things to Dementia patients. Something about music 🎶🎶🎶 ❤

Kevin and The Gourds played EVERYWHERE for a couple of decades, and despite excellent songs and amazing performances, could hardly catch a cold from the "music industry" at large. I think they were sadly done-in by the fact that their "viral moment" came during the Napster era when their cover of "Gin & Juice" -- which blew up on the file-sharing app -- somehow got mislabeled as having been recorded by Phish. To become popular for a cover ... that most people think is actually being done by someone else ... and no one's getting paid: that must be incredibly disappointing. Also, "Competency is not rampant [in the music industry]" is the funniest/saddest quote I've ever heard in regards to "major labels."

Muscle memory comes in handy!

kevin you shiny ham quit messin with brother otis' mic! lol