Russ's interest in drums began with his involvement with concert, jazz and marching band at Brookhaven Middle and Austin High Schools. He encouraged the arts by teaching drum lessons to local youth, while he worked as a distributor for band equipment. He is well known for being the drummer with the "Freeway Band" and "The Flashbacks". He has played with and fronted many famous personalities such as: Hank Williams Jr., Percy Sledge, The Platters, Gary Morris, and George Jones just to name a few. Russ is a show within a show, with his twirling drumsticks and his many funny stage antics.