THS grad mentored by Oscar Award winner John Legend

John Russell, a 2011 Tecumseh High School graduate, recently had the opportunity to be mentored by, and open for, Oscar-winning singer, songwriter and actor John Legend at this year’s South By Southwest Conferences & Festivals (SXSW) last month. He did so by winning an international contest sponsored by Axe White Label Collective. Axe narrowed down contest submissions to 20 from which Legend himself selected five as winners, said Russell. “Getting an amazing opportunity to work with John Legend and then to know he picked you — it’s a huge confidence boost,” added Russell. “It was amazing. At that point, my wife and I were freaking out. At first, we weren’t sure if it was real. At the same time it’s humbling.”Before even heading to Austin, Russell had an hour-long Skype call with Legend, picking his brain on success and creativity.“I had questions written down,” said Russell. “I really tried to make the most out of it. It was awesome.” Russell said Legend even helped him on a few songs he was writing. “Even watching the guy perform is a huge lesson,” Russell added. “Seeing how he interacts with the crowd and hearing him live, and listening to him prepare and do vocal warm-ups was really cool.” SXSW is an annual festival held in Austin highlighting music, independent films and emerging technologies, and Russell performed original songs on March 21 in front of about 600 concertgoers at an outside venue. “When John Legend is your hype man, the crowd is super energetic,” Russell continued. “It was incredible. I’ve never experienced anything like that.” Russell said he has been writing songs for six or seven years now and that he grew up in a very musical family. He found out he could sing as a teenager and started pursuing it. “Music is a passion of mine,” he said. “It’s something that’s a part of me and it always will be. It [SXSW] opened up a lot of doors to play new places. Music is something I want to do with my life, my job, and it’s moving towards that.” Russell said he plans on working with Caroline Records, part of Universal Music Group, this June and is looking forward to finding the right people to work with. “If I could take one thing from it it’s to not give up on your dreams,” he said. “Just because you come from a humble place or a small town doesn’t mean you can’t have awesome experiences in life if you just pursue your dream.”Russell will be back in Tecumseh on Friday, May 1, to headline a concert, The Flock’s single release show, at 28 Cairns Street in Tecumseh. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 at the door. “What the experience gave to me, someone like John Legend, who has so much authority and so much respect in so many circles saying ‘this guy has what it takes’ is something money can’t buy. It is a really humbling to receive that affirmation.”Russell said he hopes to encourage people to pursue music and make the local community a place for local music and musicians to be accepted. Legend, along with hip-hop recording artist and actor Common, recently won Best Original Song with “Glory.” Russell currently resides in Savannah, Ga., with his wife.To listen to Russell’s music, go to johnrussellmusic.com.