Life & Work with Brittany Russell of Nashville, Tennessee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Russell

Hi Brittany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story starts in the soulful streets of Memphis, Tennessee, where I was born and raised in a musical family. My Aunt Reba is a blues singer in Memphis, and every weekend growing up I would go and hear her sing. I was captivated and knew that I wanted to be on the other side where my aunt was standing – on the stage.

By the age of eight years old, I started a family band and began singing at local bars, festivals, venues, and clubs. Drawn to the stage, I entered in multiple Hannah Montana singing competitions held at local department stores. This garnered the attention of Radio Disney, which led me to start performing at various local radio stations and singing at birthday parties. I would sing rock, pop, and country…everything from Taylor Swift to Rufus Thomas. I immersed myself in the rich musical heritage of Memphis, drawing inspiration from the blues, gospel, and soul music that echoed through the city’s streets.

My venture into the studio life began as a jingle singer, from local to national radio commercials. Simultaneously I started diving into songwriting and picked up guitar, piano, and the oboe. I started adding my original compositions into my shows along with the top hits.

During my teenage years I relocated to SouthWest Florida, where I continued to pursue music. I became involved in my church’s praise and worship team which not only journeyed across Florida but also Nicaragua, using music to support mission outreach. I performed at festivals and venues across Florida. I went on to enroll at the University of Florida where I studied music performance with a focus in Oboe studies. Here, I played a pivotal role as Director of Music for the university’s competitive a cappella group, Gestalt. My time with Gestalt produced two albums and garnered prestigious awards such as a CARA for Best Collegiate Soloist and Best Soloist at live competitions. I finished my time at the University of Florida with a Masters of Science in Business Management.

From Florida I relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where I joined the esteemed worship and praise team at Elevation Church. Here, I continued to use my love of singing to uplift congregations through song and worship. While I was in North Carolina, I started traveling frequently to Nashville, Tennessee for studio work and songwriting sessions, and eventually decided to live here in Nashville full time. After moving to Nashville and committing myself full time to my craft, I released my debut single titled “All on Me”. This song is about being in your twenties and trying to figure life out, and I’ve loved getting to share this message with those who relate! My latest single is titled “Hold on Heartbreak”, a fun upbeat track about knowing your worth as a woman and not letting heartbreak get in the way – available now on all streaming platforms! As I continue to evolve as an artist, my goal is to remain true to my roots, honoring the rich musical legacy of my hometown while blazing a trail of my own.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Writing music can be a very vulnerable thing to do, and sharing your craft with the world is even more vulnerable. You realize that you are not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s ok. But sometimes that takes time to come to terms with. There were moments I had self-doubt, especially when facing rejection or criticism (which every artist experiences at some point). But I have learned that perseverance is key in the music industry and to use rejection as fuel to keep going…and maybe even use as inspiration for my next song.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I come from a line of musicians in my family, and carrying on the legacy is something that I feel so honored and proud to do. One thing that I love most is having my family beside me on stage. I love getting to join my Aunt Reba to sing the blues with her. My Uncle Wayne is also a bass player, my dad is a guitar player, and my brother plays the drums. Music has been the glue for my family at times, and I am grateful for the moments that we have shared our love for music together.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My mom and dad have been my biggest cheerleaders and support system, and I am so thankful for them. I look to my Aunt Reba as a mentor as I grew up watching and learning from her first-hand. I also credit my band teachers/professors that I have had growing up- all of them have helped me better myself as a musician and their role has been so impactful in my life. I feel incredibly blessed to have amazing friends and family that support my dreams!

Pricing:

• Stream “All on Me” – Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brittanyrussell.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanynicolerussell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittany.russell.315
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrittRockStar
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brittanynicolerussell?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc