Shawna Nominated for Top 'Country Album' by 11th Annual Independent Music Awards

NASHVILLE, TN (March 12, 2012)- Way Out West Records' artist Shawna Russell has been nominated by the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards in the 'Country Album' category for her self-titled sophomore album.

This is the second IMA nomination for Russell. Her debut album, Goddess, was nominated in the same category in 2008.

More than 300 exceptional self-released and independent label artists, as well as former major label acts were named by Music Resource Group (MRG) recently as Nominees in The 11th Annual Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans. IMA winners will be promoted to more than 50 million music fans worldwide.

The 11th IMA Nominees are an eclectic mix of established artists and artists on the rise. In addition to Russell, other nominees include Bruce Cockburn (Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album), Ellis Marsalis (Concept Album and Cover Song), Larry Carlton (Tribute Album), April Verch (Americana Album and Acoustic Song), RuPaul (Social Action Song), and retro-rock recording artist JD McPherson (Rock/Hard Rock Album), among others.

Representing the broad spectrum of today's global independent music scene, the Nominees in over 70 Song, Album, Music Video and Design categories were culled from thousands of submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe.

Winners will be determined by a panel of 77 influential artist and industry judges including Keith Richards, Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Joshua Redman, Tori Amos, Michael Franti, Bettye LaVette, Del McCoury,  Ozzy Osbourne, Shelby Lynne, Alan Light (Live From The Artists Den), Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center), Sara Beesley (Joe's Pub), Chris Diaz (Knitting Factory Entertainment), and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter) and will be announced in April, 2012. In addition to industry-determined winners, music fans from around the world have until Friday, July 20, 2012 to cast their votes for Russell and other nominees at  The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners.

Russell's latest single, "Waitin' On Sunrise" is currently #37 on the MusicRow chart.  She is currently filming a reality television series tentatively titled "Small Bus, Big Country," which documents her life as a working female artist who travels the country in a tour bus once owned by musical icon, Willie Nelson. The series is being developed by CRM Studios of Dallas, Texas.

Shawna featured at Billboard.com

Shawna was featured Wednesday at Billboard.com in a spotlight feature titled "Shawna Russell Sees The Light."

Click here for the story.

Shawna Storms Nashville to Shoot Footage for Reality Television Series Pilot

NASHVILLE, TN (January 18, 2012) - Way Out  West Records' artist, Shawna Russell, visited  Nashville recently on a whirlwind songwriting and  promotional trip that was filmed for a reality  television series that is being developed by  Dallas-based CRM Studios.

The as-yet-untitled series will focus on Russell's life as  an independent female recording artist who performs  over 100 dates a year with her band, traveling in a  vintage Silver Eagle bus once owned by music  icon, Willie Nelson.

Highlights of Russell's Nashville trip included a co-  writing session with award-winning songwriter, Regie  Hamm ("The Time Of My Life," #1 single by  American Idol winner David Cook), performances at Country Weekly magazine and Country Aircheck, plus interviews for Billboard and the syndicated television series, Inside Music Row. Russell was followed every step of the way by noted Nashville videographer Mark Nicolosi (Stealing Angels, Mark Wills).

Additional footage will also be filmed when Russell headlines in concert at the Waxahachie Texas Theater in Waxahachie, TX, on Saturday, January 21.

Russell, a high-profile independent artist with a reputation as a tireless performer, is currently promoting her latest single, "Waitin' On Sunrise," from her critically acclaimed self-titled sophomore album. Signed to Way Out West Records, a label that she co-owns, Russell has successfully promoted 7 singles from two albums, charting nationally on the MusicRow, Billboard "New and Active" and Texas Music charts, and internationally on the Hotdisc and New Christian Music charts. Russell's videos have received widespread airplay at The Country Network, GACTV.com, CMT.com, and Yallwire, among others. 

Photos from Russell's Nashville trip may be viewed and downloaded at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clifdoyal/sets/72157628847771731/

Shawna Russell to Perform in Concert at Waxahachie Texas Theater on Saturday, January 21

Portions of Concert to be Filmed for Reality Television Series Pilot

NASHVILLE, TN (January 13, 2012) -- Way Out West Records’ artist, Country singer/songwriter Shawna Russell, will be appearing in concert at the Waxahachie Texas Theater, 110 W Main St. in Waxahachie, TX, on Saturday, January 21 at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at http://www.texasmusictheater.com/. For more information call (972) 937-1993.

The concert is part of the "Ladies of Texas Music Series" sponsored by KEBC 1390 radio, and portions will be filmed by CMR Studios for a reality television series pilot entitled "Should’ve Been Born With Wheels," which focuses on Russell and her life as an independent female recording artist who performs over 100 dates a year with her band, traveling in a vintage Silver Eagle Bus once owned by music icon, Willie Nelson.

Customers who purchase an advance ticket and a Shawna Russell CD prior to the show will receive a free tour of the "Willie Bus" and an informal meet-and-greet with Russell herself.

Details of the promotion are as follows: Numbered raffle tickets will be handed out to customers upon entrance at Texas Theater. Three (3) prize sets will be given out during the concert. Prize 1 will be a guitar autographed by Russell and the opening act. Prize 2 will be a Shawna Russell T-shirt and an autographed CD. The Grand Prize will be VIP passes to Billy Bob's Texas on February 24th OR 25th to see Shawna Russell open for either Robert Earl Keen or B. B. King (this prize is winner’s choice).

Russell is a high-profile independent artist who has built a reputation as a tireless and uncompromising artist. She is currently promoting her latest single, "Waitin’ On Sunrise" from her critically acclaimed self-titled sophomore album.

Backed by Way Out West Records, a label that she co-owns, Russell has successfully promoted 7 singles from two albums, charting nationally on the Music Row, Billboard "New and Active," and Texas Music charts, and internationally on Hotdisc and the New Christian Music charts. Russell’s videos have received widespread airplay at The Country Network, GACTV.com, CMT.com, and Yallwire, among others.

Shawna Russell Will Host "Breaking Out" on The Country Network for the Next Two Weeks

NASHVILLE, TN (December 5, 2011) -- Way Out West recording artist, Shawna Russell, will host the "Breaking Out" video show on The Country Network (TCN), tonite, Monday, December 5 and again on December 12. The program is broadcast on television at 7:00 p.m. CST, and streamed on the Internet at 6:00 p.m. CST at http://www.tcncountry.com/.

Russell has recently released "Waitin' On Sunrise," the second U.S. single from her self-titled sophomore album.

(L-R) EVP of Programming and Artist Relations The Country Network Cary Rolfe; Shawna Russell; Way Out West Managing Partner Clif Doyal; and Way Out West VP Artist Development, Promotion & Marketing Mike Severson