"I've always considered myself more of an interpreter than a songwriter,” says Claudia Russell, best known as a rising star of the West Coast folk scene. But after winning a spot at Kerrville [Folk Festival], I figured maybe I was on to something. So I've been trying to take my writing more seriously.” Indeed, Russell has twice won a coveted finalist spot in the Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk songwriting competition, the prestigious festival held each year outside of Austin, Texas. Russell has also placed in the Salt Lake City's KRCL Founders festival and the Sisters Folk Festival songwriting contest.

For her second CD, Russell was determined to write more of her own material. The results show Claudia's growth as a writer. Titled Ready To Receive, Russell wrote (and cowrote) seven of the CD's thirteen songs. But true to her roots as an interpreter, Russell chose a song by her friend Kyle Johnson as the title song. Russell and Kaplan produced the new CD themselves with the help of long time collaborator Carl Byron who plays keyboards on the CD and Hans Christian, who mixed the CD.

Russell credits her initial 1999 Kerrville experience for inspiring her to launch a solo career. Lucky for us! Russell reveals a style all her own: eclectic folk music woven from diverse musical influences that run the gamut from Smokey Robinson to the Smokey Mountains: blues, western swing, rock and country. Whether performing original compositions, or interpreting the songs of others, her performances are heartfelt and memorable. Her debut CD, Song Food, generated a huge response from the folk radio community, getting air play on more than 150 stations across North America, Europe and Australia. Produced by Mark Governor, Song Food earned Russell Best New Artist of 2000 honors from WUMB in Boston, the country's only full-time Folk station. Blue Flame Café, a track from Song Food, was included in the Sony Pictures film Trixie, starring Nick Nolte.

Since releasing Song Food, Russell has toured extensively accompanied by her husband Bruce Kaplan on mandolin and guitar. Performing shows at many premier venues across the country including Club Passim, The Point, McCabes and the Boston Folk Festival, they've appeared with admired artists such as Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Tish Hinojosa, Daryl Purpose, Rosalie Sorrells, Michelle Shocked, Peter Rowan, Bill Staines and Steve Forbert.

Before embarking on a solo career, Russell played in several notable bands. As vocalist and guitar player in Maggie's Farm, she recorded with JRS/BMG records and appeared around the country, sharing stages with Willie Nelson and Kris Kristoffersen (at Farm Aid), and um, Mickey Dolenz! She was also one third of L.A. cult faves The Life Is Grand Band, an award-winning vocal trio that featured stunning a cappella vocals. Their Fast Folk recording is now a part of the Smithsonian Folkways collection! Athird generation singer, Claudia's father Gilbert Russell had a million selling record with 'Teddy Bear's Picnic' as vocalist for the BBC Dance Orchestra. Her grandfather, Val Rosing, was Director of the American Opera Company Though born and raised in Los Angeles, Russell has an authentic American voice that sounds as if she grew up closer to Elvis and the Everlys than the smooth sounds of LA pop.

Hearing is believing! Listen to Ready To Receive and feast on a new serving of heartfelt songs from Claudia Russell!

Discography
(BUY)	SONG FOOD 2000 01. Prairie Song 02. Dance 03. I Second That Emotion (mp3) 04. Whiskey Walk 05. Tall Blue Candle 06. Don't Let Your Deal Go Down (mp3) 07. Try Try Again 08. Until I Got You In My Arms 09. Weakness 10. Blue Flame Cafe 11. Home on the Range 12. Western Skies
(BUY)	READY TO RECEIVE 2005 01. Ready To Receive 02. Galesburg 03. Oh California (mp3) 04. White Cross (mp3) 05. He Ain't Comin' Back 06. Aurora (mp3) 07. Just Like You 08. Lie To Me 09. Hang On 10. Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You 11. Bugs 12. Miss Fortune 13. Stars (mp3)