Russ started playing professionally in 1975 and spent six years with Truc Of America , a show band that moved from Wisconsin to West Palm Beach Fl.  He also had been playing lead guitar with Vic Ferrari since 1989. In 1997, Russ started the Stringbenders with Dave Steffen. His solo acoustic show covers classic rock and folk rock of the 60s and 70s, with a few modern tunes thrown in for good measure.