Musical Brothers from Different Mothers

Michael and I have been burning up the highways, chasing the songs, and pursuing our dreams an passion for music since our early teenage years.  Though growing up in different parts of the country, me in Missouri and Michael in Texas, we became acquainted when I moved to the Austin, Texas music scene in the early 70's.  I was a member of "The Ewing Street Times" and Michael was playing guitar with Michael Martin Murphy.  It was the time of the "Cosmic Cowboys" and a great place for a couple of young songwriters.  Our friendship maintained over several decades of making music both apart and together.

In the early nineties, Michael invited me to come to Taos, NM where he called home, to write songs and sit in with his popular band, "South by Southwest".  They had recorded and were doing several of my songs in their show, so it was an ideal introduction for me to New Mexico and Colorado.

Both of us have received multiple awards as performers and songwriters.  We've co-written dozens of songs.  "The Girl Just Loves to Dance", "Today's the Day", "Losers Gumbo", "Grand Daddy's Silver Dollar", "Ruby", "Sit With Me", "Sweet Harper Rae", etc...., and have had our songs recorded by Johnny Rodriquez, Ricky Skaggs, Balsam Range, Gary P Nunn, Clint Black, Waylon Jennings, Miranda Lambert, BW Stevenson, Bill and Bonnie Hearne and others.

Overs the years, we have collaborated on numerous albums and CD's, "Only As Strong As Your Dreams", "Little Bright Band of Light", "Chasing the Song" and my most recent "Gold to Me".

So, we are looking forward to bringing our acoustical duo show and sharing some songs, to what will be our first performance at the AUSTIN ACOUSTICAL CAFE on May 10th.  John Pointer and Ginger Leigh open the evening at 7:00 PM.  Michael Hearne and Shake Russell  at 7:40-9:30 PM.

Michael and I both feel we are indeed blessed to enjoy the life we chose and love!  We hope to see you out at the show!

-- Shake Russell & Michael Hearne