Shawna Russell ending year at Ada New Year's celebration

ADA – Okemah country singer Shawna Russell will wrap up a big year by performing at “First Night Ada” tonight on the campus of East Central University.

Russell will be part of the free public celebration taking place from 6 to midnight and culiminating with a laser light show. The family-friendly and alcohol-free event will feature 60 performing artists.

Russell and her band are scheduled for two concert appearances, at 6 and 8:45 this evening at the Dorothy Summers Theater.

“First Night Ada” will close out Russell’s “breakthrough” year. After performing since she was a child, and full-time since age 17, Russell stepped onto the national stage in 2008 with the release of her debut album, “Goddess,” which has spawned two radio singles - the title song, “Goddess,” and her current single, “Should’ve Been Born With Wheels,” currently climbing the Texas and national radio charts.

On the national stage, Russell’s debut CD has been given rave reviews by the Country Music Association’s magazine, CMA Close Up, Country Weekly, and Country Stars Online, among many others. The CD made my list of top 10 albums of 2008.