When I was 16 I joined my first band (a 10 piece band called free flight) with two drummers. I only did 5 or so songs but felt like the coolest man on earth when I got to do my thang. My biggest payday with that band was $17.50. I thought I was rich. Through the late 70’s early 80’s I sat in with a lot of bands but committed to none. During that time I graduated high school, did a short stint in the Navy, Got married,had kids (well…….I helped) and in 83’ I stopped dancing with the “monster”(addiction).  In 85 I joined a band called the Bubbas. We were a blues band that did a little R&B. I kind of cut my teeth on that band learning when to SHUT UP and when to wail. For a while were the house band at the Camillian club and opened for a good many national acts. In 87 I moved on to join a band starting as the Hoodoo House Rockers, which turned into Dr. Groove. We did Blues Funk and R&B. I met my buddy Jim in that band. Jim played and toured with many bands most notably The Magnificent men. In 91 Jim and I played and recorded with Bo Diddley for a couple of shows. After leaving Dr Groove I played with a couple of bands, Too Human and The Howlers. I was a lot of fun but had always wanted to put my name on a band, so in 97 the first incantation of the Dane Paul Russell Band was Jim Inners on guitar and vocals Jeff Cox On drums, Chuck Seay on bass, and myself on Vocals and harp. We had some regional success, doing 200 gigs or so in 97 and 98. In June of 98 I was offered a gig with Black Top recording artist Bobby Parker. Bobby took me to school. Bobby had me learn all his horn lines, he taught me to look at blues a little differently. Since playing with Bobby we have toured the US, Europe and Canada. Most recently we did Montreux Jazz fest sharing the stage with Carlos Santana.  Although you will still see me with Bobby, The Dane Paul Russell band is back. The blues I speak of isn’t something that comes out of your speakers or hear in a club, it’s the type that you feel in your soul, the type that you live through.