Biography

By the time he was 5 years of age, Jonnie Russell knew beyond a doubt that he wanted to be a country music star. At the age of 14, he made his very first radio performance on Sydney radio 2SM which was broadcasting a weekday early morning Country & Western program. Then, at the age of 17, he entered Alan Toohey's Amateur Hour which was conducted by Radio 2UW. He won the quest by an easy majority which led to offers of work in hotel lounges around the suburbs of Sydney. It was here that Jonnie gained a lot of valuable experience - something he would need a lot of if he were to succeed in the highly competitive Australian entertainment industry.

Rock 'n' roll was just becoming popular in Australia and so for the next few years, after forming his own rock group, he performed at hotel lounges and dances in the evenings and weekends and worked a clerical job by day.

He gave away his office job in 1969 and decided to "take the plunge" on a fulltime career in country music. In 1972 he met well known steel guitarist Norm Bodkin who was to influence his career even more.

Norm arranged a meeting for Jonnie with Opal Records in Tamworth and he subsequently signed a 2 1/2 year contract with them.

In March, 1981, Jonnie decided to make one of his dreams come true and headed for Nashville, Tennessee. While in Nashville, he was invited to appear on the "Carl Tipton Show" on WTVF Channel 5 which has a large viewing audience and is seen each morning on the local Nashville station. He also worked the "Vagabond Inn" in Nashville and proved once and for all the Aussies "have what it takes". He also cut two brand new songs in Nashville, produced by good buddy Andy King, and they feature him with the Nashville Edition and Lloyd Green on steel and dobro.

Jonnie Russell could justifiably be called one of our great pioneers of country music in Australia and this was acknowledged in 1985 when he was inducted into "The Hands Of Fame Park" in Tamworth.

Over the years, Jonnie has produced his own Country Package Show and has played many of the Sydney major clubs, as well as a successful performance at the Sydney Opera House. In 2009, he still continues to entertain the country music fans wherever he appears.