Cousin Curtiss + James Eugene Russell at Icehouse

Cousin Curtiss brings to the stage a fiery dynamic rarely seen by a solo act and now, with a full band armed and ready with years of live touring and recording experience behind him, the concert performance becomes legendary. Truly. Within the United States and around the world Cousin Curtiss has spread his positive energy and endless smile through his Award Winning Rootstomp music. He describes it as, “playing Blues music but at Bluegrass speeds” or more simply, “like...if Blues and Bluegrass had a baby.” Rapid fire guitar. Incendiary harmonica. Thunderous kick.

For most of his twenties, Minnesota musician James Eugene Russell spent his days zigzagging the country in various vans playing in hard working punk bands like Cadillac Blindside, The Book of Dead Names, and The Cardinal Sin. He then began exploring new sounds with his country rock outfit, Prairie Sons. After Prairie Sons disbanded, James spent over a decade absent from the music scene dealing with alcoholism, becoming a father, and finally finding sobriety.