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.
 Holiday Newsletter
Tom Russell Holiday Newsletter 2019: The New Book and other News!

Tom Russell is our Edvard Munch of the West, opening doors of visions with his swirling, exaggerated, bold brush strokes filled the same storied emotions as his songs and writings. The West and its art continue to evolve with Tom Russell on the hurricane deck, right where he wants to be. Bill Reynolds, author Joe De Yong: A Life in the West

The Ballad of Western Expressionism by Tom Russell - The new Tom Russell art book is here - over 100 pages of Tom's latest art images, with essays on the art that inspired him, along with his wide-ranging reflections on art which includes a chapter on his year learning wood carving in Nigeria. John at Frontera Records has designed an incredible book. Bill Reynolds, former editor of Ranch and Reata, and author of Western art books, has written the foreword. There's a wide variety of Tom's newest paintings - many purchased by fans and collectors, and others now in galleries and museums. There are two editions: A Deluxe hard-cover limited edition, signed and numbered, which includes an original numbered drawing by Tom - also an exclusive signed and numbered Tom Russell colored print, and a copy of Tom's cowboy record: Tonight We Ride. There are only 100 of these Hard Cover editions - The ideal Holiday gift for the fans of songwriting and art! These are expected to sell out quickly. There is also the Regular soft cover edition: www.fronterarecords.com

Folk Hotel Book: Another of Tom’s books with essays and paintings, Folk Hotel, is $5 off through the end of the year and would make a great companion piece as a gift set for the holidays.

Holiday Sale - Between Thanksgiving and New Years Day all Tom Russell art in all galleries is 20% off...just mention this newsletter...see below for art links.

Visit Tom Russell Art: visit www.tomrussellart.com - and also galleries like The Rainbow Man in Santa Fe: www.rainbowman.com
Yard Dog in Austin. www.yarddog.com
Houston - Republic Boots: www.republicboothouston.com/collections/tom-russell-art
The Liss Gallery: www.lissgallery.com
Art Shows: There will be an art show in Norway....reading coming at Tronsmo Books in Oslo, March 11, and The Liss Gallery in Toronto next June.
The large "Willie Nelson: Austin Music" painting is now at The George Castillo Gallery, contact castgeo2000@gmail.com This is the big painting that was hung in The Hyatt Hotel in Austin all summer.

Vinyl Fans - The LP Version of October in the Railroad Earth - In case you missed it - there's a LP version of the current record which includes a great interior sleeve with lyrics. Beautifully designed by John at Frontera Records. www.fronterarecords.com

LPS Outside of North America: Proper Records: http://www.proper-records.co.uk/

Raves: The new record, October in the Railroad Earth, was the #1 Americana record on Amazon for many months...Alec Wightman had this to say:
"I am now on the third consecutive play. It’s fabulous. Great songs, great performances, great production. Once again, I can stand on my coffee table and say Tom Russell is the “finest singer-songwriter working in America today!” Alec Wightman (Past Chairman of the Board: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland)

PODCASTS: Check out Tom's Podcasts From God Knows Where!

www.tomrussellmusic.podbean.com/?fbclid=IwAR3jskjGmbuXIOvtB_n9Qx1mrktsTefioqTKGlSDm2Ow-wboovC_724iSyk
Tom converses with John, our Frontera host, about Bob Dylan, Ian Tyson, life on the road, Robert Hunter (the Grateful Dead lyricist who loved Tom's Gallo del Cielo and got Tom back into the music business in a taxi ride...), along with coming podcast on the Merle Haggard Tribute, and another on Tom's art. Hit the above link to hear the podcasts, or go on www.tomrussell.com
and hit the link.

Tom's Instagram: TR Images and Art! Join up and share! www.instagram.com/trnovabeat

Please Check out our Ever Popular Facebook: www.facebook.com/russelltom

There's a diversity of posts about songs, songwriting, life on the road, art, and new voices in Americana. A recent fan commented: "The best Americana Facebook ever... always something to learn. A history lesson."

Tom Russell Tee-Shirts: A variety of men's and women's Tom Russell tee shirts at: www.cypresscowboy.com
These include "Tonight We Ride," "Mesabi," "Nova Beat," and "Guadalupe." Converse with Peggy Hanson there.

All Tom Russell records and books: www.fronterarecords.com

Digital Sources: Amazon, Spotify, I-Tunes.

Holiday Greetings from Frontera Recortds and The Tom Russell Office and Tom and Nadine! Thanks so much for your continuing support. Enjoy the holidays...and stay tuned.