LOCAL BAND Q&A: Russell Stover
LOCAL BAND Q&A: Russell Stover

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By Chris Colberg

Published: March 20, 2008

This hard-working local musician with a memorable name ("My Momma named me after a box of chocolates") has been influenced by Kiss, Elvis, Waylon Jennings and more.

Q: How long have you been a solo artist?

A: I've done this once before as well, about 10 years ago. But I've been at it about three or four years now.

Q: What's more appealing about being solo as opposed to being in a band?

A: Being solo, you're the only one you have to rely on, the only one you have to count on. You generally play different venues where you actually come up more close and personal with the crowd, more interaction.

Q: What type of music do you play?

A: Country, classic rock, original, a little bit of blues.

Q: What have you learned from previous experiences?

A: I've learned to expect the unexpected. Never know what kind of situation you're going to get into whether you're solo or in a band, or what kind of venue you're playing or what type of music you're playing. There's always another surprise around the corner. Never be afraid to look outside the box.

Q: What do you do to look outside the box?

A: I look at the different ways to perform songs, different approaches to the crowd, also in my writing, as well. I try to take things another whole step further.

Q: How long does it take to make a song or a compact disc?

A: As far as from concept to production, it can take anywhere from weeks to years.

Q: How many CDs have you put out?

A: I'm actually currently working on my first one. I guess that's where you can say the years come from. I've recorded a lot of individual songs but have never put together a full CD.

Q: Do you think artists have a better chance to make it today what with the Internet and MySpace?

A: By all means, it depends on what you call "make it." For a guy like myself at 41, there's really not a lot of opportunity in major markets. However, as an independent artist using the Internet, that opens up a whole lot of doors and you're able to do things as an independent artist that you'd never be able to do otherwise.

Q: So is this full-time or more of a hobby for you?

A: It's a full-time deal. I work at a part-time day job, but this is the main source, right here.

Q: Do you plan on doing anything else in music, like producing?

A: That would be something I'd like to do at some point. I'm actually a member of NSWAI, National Song Writers Association International. And I'm stepping into a coordinator role with them. Right now, I'm more into helping other songwriters develop within the craft of songwriting, as well as learning the business side of what we do.

Q: How do you advertise yourself?

A: Mostly through the Internet, MySpace. I've got a Web site, it's likeaboxofchocolates.net, and I make fliers from time to time for certain shows, and a lot of it is word of mouth. Seems like that's my best advertising, so far.

Q: Where do you see your music going?

A: Writing songs for a major publisher and continuing as an independent artist, hopefully having numerous independently produced CDs over the next few years and doing live shows, probably form a new band again, as well, and go in that direction again, along with the solo thing.

Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment?

A: I'd have to say maintaining as an artist, a musician, playing night after night and maintaining my marriage at the same time for the last 15 years.

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