October in the Railroad Earth

Tom Russell’s latest recording of original compositions, October in the Railroad Earth, is set for CD and vinyl release March 15, 2019, on Frontera Records in North America and Proper Records for the rest of the world. He describes the songs and sound as “Jack Kerouac meets Johnny Cash in Bakersfield.”
Bill Kirchen is featured on lead electric guitar, Eliza Gilkyson adds vocals, and the Grammy® Award-winning Texmaniacs appear on “Isadore Gonzalez,” about a Mexican cowboy who died in England during a performance of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. The record contains nine other originals, including the title song from the Irish film Small Engine Repair, and a cover of the traditional “Wreck of the Old 97.”
October in the Railroad Earth follows the acclaimed 2017 Frontera/Proper album Folk Hotel and Russell’s tribute to Ian & Sylvia on True North Records, Play One More, both receiving worldwide acclaim. Between major releases in 2018, Russell recorded the Bruce Springsteen track “Across The Border” for the three-disc Appleseed Records anniversary sampler, Roots and Branches, and issued a re-recording of early classics on Frontera, Old Songs Yet To Sing.

Russell’s previous album of new original material was the 2015 “folk opera” that Thom Jurek of allmusic.com hailed as Tom’s masterpiece, The Rose of Roscrae. Named “The top folk album of 2015” by Mojo magazine, Roscrae was also lauded as “maybe the most important Americana record of all time” by UK Folk. The album was included in top ten lists of dozens of publications, including the Los Angeles Times.

In 2007, on one of Russell’s five appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, he debuted the controversial “Who’s Gonna Build Your Wall?” which has since gone viral.

Tom Russell’s songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Doug Sahm, Nanci Griffith, k.d. lang, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Dave Alvin, Iris DeMent, Dave Van Ronk, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Joe Ely, Tom Paxton, Ian Tyson, and Joe Ely, among many others.
Tom Russell graduated from the University of California with a Master’s degree in Criminology and taught Sociology in Nigeria during the Biafran War.
 Christmas News
Ride with The Last Songwriters! Hotwalker Christmas Deals from The Borderland! Next record News! Art and Insanity!
123,000 people have seen Jesse Winchester’s song art slay Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow… and bring Neko Case to tears. One man with a gut string guitar, sitting on a stool… the Spectacle TV show. If you want a big treat: click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKGWpqnS8E
If there is any doubt Jesse Winchester is one of the last of the truly great singer-songwriters, this performance should convince you. He’s the Master who can break your heart. Remind yourself of why you love great songwriting.
110,000 have seen Jimmy Webb sing his Wichita Lineman on Jools Holland: The Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlEpKhSHTyQ Jimmy has written the great ones: By the Time I Get to Phoenix, The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress, Galveston, MacArthur Park and dozens more. He’s a legend of song.
And…If you wish to see Tom Russell and Thad Beckman singing “East of Woodstock, West of Viet Nam” on the David Letterman show click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIDCYjvj5XU
These four writer performers will be on the “Masters of American Song Train”…your chance to ride with them up close and personal: a package that includes concerts, workshops, hotels, meals, a beat tour of San Francisco…and more. Coming in January! Treat yourself to the ultimate Christmas package and our most affordable train ride, with the Masters. Click on www.rootsontherails.com for details and email trains@sover.net or call toll free 888-484-3669. A few seats remain.
GIFT IDEAS! The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer and Gift! (for those 18 and over): Hotwalker! Borderland! Two of the Tom Russell Classics, along with a personally signed art card from Tom. The whole 3-piece package is available for $20 from www.villagerecords.com limited offer.
Also Tom recommends: Bob Dylan, The Witmark Demos, just released, which consists of dozens of early Dylan publisher demos; some great raw, passionate versions of some of the Dylan classics: Boots of Spanish Leather and Girl From the North Country. Also Jimmy Webb’s new one, Just Across the River, featuring duets of all Jimmy’s hit songs with Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Billy Joel, Mark Knophler and Jackson Brown…among others…both cds available now from www.villagerecords.com
ART! Original Paintings by Tom Russell
The Rainbow Man in Santa Fe now has a new stock of Tom Russell art. You don’t need to buy anything to check out the gallery show. Click on the link: www.rainbowman.com and then Tom Russell Art…..Includes: Crazy Horse, Bob Dylan, Gallo del Cielo, and others. Rainbow Man also features the famous Edward Curtis Native American prints…..and great folk art.
www.yarddog.com in Austin has some paintings left from the Tom Russell “Beats and Boxers” show, including Ferlinghetti, Burroughs in Tangier, and Roberto Duran plus Bob Dylan prints. Drop by the link….always an interesting site and store.
Tom Russell Tee shirts available from: http://www.cypresscowboy.com/

New Record in the works! Tom has recorded five new songs with Calexico in Tucson; also five songs in Nashville with Barry Walsh, Gretchen Peters, Viktor Krauss and Fats Kaplin; also two songs in L.A. with Thad Beckman, Van Dyke Parks, Don Heffington and Bob Glaub and one song in San Antonio with Augie Meyers and Joel Guzman. This one is really building into something…on a grand scale. Rumor has it that Tom also cut a Dylan song with Calexico…..
The great Filmmaker Eric Temple (A Voice in the Wilderness – Edward Abbey) is working on a Tom Russell Documentary; out next year. This one has some incredible vintage band footage…a Don’t Look Back type approach. Check out Eric at: www.canyonproductions.com Eric also has DVDs of the Tom Russell/Ian Tyson songwriting workshop.
Also Tom’s Blogs, little 500 word short stories: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7632029549152237270&postID=8962804931355014340
Buy yourself the Bob Dylan Christmas album, make a bowl of mulled wine and enjoy the holiday season….be safe. The Tom Russell Office. On the Frontier.