There are not many musicians who, like Tom Russell, can boast of having composed songs interpreted by a number of illustrious colleagues such as Ian Tyson, Johnny Cash, Jack Elliott, Dave Van Ronk to name just a few.
The Los Angeles-born musician (who is also an excellent painter, writer and journalist) entitled his CD, released in 2019, “October in The Railroad Earth”, from the title of prose written by Jack Kerouac in the autumn and winter between 1952 and 1953.
The CD (with the participation of Bill Kirchen, guitarist and composer of the band named Lost Planet Airmen in the service of Commander Cody) is a shining example of contemporary folk and country, governed by Russell's powerful, deep voice.