Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 October 2004 — Page 45

The Muncie Times • October 7, 2004 • Page 45

ENTERTAINMENT

Russell, R. Kelly’s protege, makes musical waves

Russell was chosen by R. Kelly to be first a friend, then his protege’ is simple: Russell earned his trust and respect. And he did it by being himself. Russell, the man from Lexington, KY., who got in a car one day, drove to Chicago and didn’t leave R. Kelly’s front door until he met the man he admired, impress Robert so much with his drive, determination and guts, that he became his confidante, friend and music mentor. The result is Russell’s debut album “When I’m With You” with an r. Kelly produced duet hit single, “Rich Man, from an album loaded with hit singles. But who is Russell? Born in Cleveland Ohio, he moved to Lexington, as a child. And to him that is home. And it is where his love of music began. “My parents divorced when I was seven and we lived in the poor part of Lexington,” recalls

Russell. “Growing up I loved the slow R&B love music. I couldn’t get enough of it. Some people though I was weird because I kept a keyboard in my room and played, sang and listened to music all the time.’ Russell did other things, too, and did them well. In high school he was an All American in football and earned a college basketball scholarship for his outstanding athletic ability. But the desire to do music was all he ever though about and all he really wanted to do. And he had discovered R. Kelly. Until then he had been into the music of Johnny Gill and Babyface, but R. Kelly’s style had even more of an appeal to him He also noticed that Robert wrote and produced his own music as w^ell as owning a label. Russell knew it was time to leave Lexington. “I got on my feet, bought a $200 car and drove to Chicago,’ Russell said “It

blew up just miles from R. Kelly’s home, but I didn’t know it at the time. So, I got a hotel room, found out where R. Kelly lived and knocked on his gate.’ He didn’t get in the first time or the second time, but three was the charm for Russell Robert was impressed with his determination and persistence and a mutual love of basketball didn’t hurt either. They became close friends. But R. Kelly’s world changed with the sex allegations and he left Chicago for Orlando Florida. “He cut a lot of people off, except me. I went to live with him in Orlando and began working full speed on my own album. But he was arrested in Orlando and went back to Chicago. I stayed and finished my album. I knew what I had to do And Russell did it. “Rich an” is the hot debut single and although it was produced by R. Kelly and is

a duet with the man, it is, no doubt, Russell’s song. The rest of “When I’m With You” is written and produced by Russell. He learned well as R. Kelly’s protege’, and he has the

talent to take it to another level. For more information contact Debi Fee (310)8779006 or [email protected] Orpheus Music. www.records.com

Muncie Phillidelphia SBA Church SOUP KITCHEN OPEN 200 Hast '>"V Mull.trry Munx-ie IN 47202 COME AND DINE WITH US EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH FREE NO COST CAEE 288-8598 FREE CLOTHING FOR THE FAMILY

Carl W. Brown. President & CEO 1410 E. Centennial Ave. NIuncie, IN 4”7303 (317) 289-5488 Alvie J. Sargent. Director of Training 1414 East 20'*' Street Muncie. IN 47302 CTarccr ‘Traittijng 1910.17S POWJEJRJED /TVDC/ST-ftl.+Z. TRUCKS OERTITTET* FOITKdTI TEt A.HN IINCi T'uition Fee : S100.00 per student For Registration Rhone Brown ItSTC. (70S) 289-S4S8 Walk-in registrations are welcome on a space-available basis only. Space is limited. Training Dates c Friday, October 1, 2004 Saturday, October 2, 2004 1304 IN. Broadway A.v. IVluncie, UN

T'raincti, sMtiifirxi arc an invaiMsabia res a urcc.

te. G CtMTEINFlI/M. AVEblOE - MtJ hf C IfE r t b# d*7303 - C7€>S) S?0£*-Sd68