Hailing from Okemah, Shawna Russell’s hot-country sound would fit in neatly with now-Okie Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift, if Swift had a bit more muscular voice. Russell has a strong, mid-range one, and she uses it to the fullest on her self-titled, sophomore debut, which was recorded in OKC and Nashville. The album won’t convert any non-country fans, but Twister listeners (KTST radio) will find much to love in her midtempo tunes.
With a little luck and help from radio stations, we may have the birth of another star. Either way, radio star or not, Shawna Russell and her self-titled sophomore album point to a very bright future as a recording artist with the complete package.
The female side of the country music industry is a tough one to break into right now as a new artist with the likes of major names like Taylor and Carrie leading the pack, but that doesn’t mean for one minute that there isn’t quality music out there to be discovered and some of that quality music comes from Shawna Russell.
