Many reading this blog – friends and those who only know me through what’s written here – were familiar with the old Washington Square in Clarksburg. Although it still exists today, I’m talking back to the days when Jimmy Malfregeot owned the establishment and every Friday night was an event.

 

It was back in the days when Karaoke was king and Friday nights at the Square was the place to be. I was there, usually trying to do old school rap and not very good at it. Others, however, were good behind the microphone. Some turned out to be really good and then, like my friend I’m about to tell you about, some turned out to make a living out of it.

 

My long-time friend and fellow Liberty High School graduate Pat Russell used to frequent the microphone there. His only formal training at the time was singing in the car, at home, or listening to his folks belt out tunes. He turned those early Harrison County stage appearances into today what is a budding career in the music industry.

 

Russell, a 1988 graduate of LHS, and his band – the Pat Russell Band – is good enough to not only pack houses on his own local tour and performance schedule, but Russell is good enough to open for some pretty good acts. In fact, this Friday Russell will serve as the solo acoustic artist opening up for country music icon Travis Tritt.

 

“We’re performing at an old theater in Hopewell, Virginia that’s kind of like the old Robinson Grand back home in Clarksburg,” said Russell. “It’s called the Beacon Theatre and they have had some really big acts there and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to open for Travis Tritt.”

 

Russell’s acoustic solo will last roughly 30 minutes. And if anyone happens to be in that area they can try to get tickets that range from $30 to $100. If you’re in Hopewell, doors open at 6 p.m. with Russell hitting the stage about an hour after that.

 

This isn’t the first time the Harrison County native has had a chance to open for some of the big names in country music. Either he, or the PRB Band, has opened up for Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart and also opened for Eric Church recently in Richmond.

 

Although in his mid-40’s, Russell knows that he’s still moving up the music ladder. But before getting to where he’s at today it’s a good idea to look back to those early days singing in a place that was as famous for its Thursday night wing special as it was for its Friday night Karaoke.

 

“Really, my singing is family oriented because both of my parents sing and everyone in my family plays music. When I started signing Karaoke it just seemed like a lot of fun,” said Russell. “At that time, I didn’t give it much of a second thought other than I enjoyed it and was having a good time.”

 

That changed when Russell ventured out into the real world and joined the Navy. His stint in the armed forces took him to the Karaoke capital of the world – Japan.

 

“That was an experience to do Karaoke over there and I enjoyed it so much that when I came back to the states I wanted to learn how to play guitar because I started thinking that maybe singing beyond a Karaoke stage was something I wanted to do,” said Russell.

 

Not surprisingly, Russell did what most people that want to learn how to play did – he purchased a guitar way back in 1998. Where things changed is that he never took a lesson.

 

“I’m a self-taught guitar player; I never had anyone teach me or give me a lesson. After a few years, I got good enough where I could do a little hour solo show and that was about 18 years ago when I came to Richmond,” said Russell. “I left home because I felt it was my best chance to get a break.”

 

Today, Russell is “full-time” in the music business. That came after performing and working a day job as a maintenance tech for 11 years while pounding the area music circuit on evenings and weekends.

 

“I just started doing this full time a couple of years ago,” he said. “I guess I’m a long way from my first real singing gig at the old P.J. Kelly’s.”

 

Today’s gig includes the solo act and the PBR band. Future gigs will likely include Russell and his group’s first recorded music.

 

“I’ve got a couple of original songs that I’ve written and the band has three or four as well. We play so much that we’re trying to do that and find time to get the original stuff going as well,” said Russell. “We’re hoping by next year, next spring, we’ll have an album out of original music.”

 

Although he’s usually performing in the Virginia area, Russell is not a complete stranger to the Bridgeport and Clarksburg area. He’s recently performed at the Brickside Grille on Lodgeville Road and will be back there in early June (Web site link with schedule below). He’s also been on stage many times with another Harrison County country music group most are familiar with – the Davisson Brothers.

 

“I’ve sang several times with Chris and Donnie when they’ve been out. That’s a talented group right there,” said Russell.

 

Russell’s band, until recently, had rock and roll royalty as part of the act. Bruce Krump, the original drummer for Molly Hatchet, played with Russell for five years until recently passing away. Russell said Krump helped tremendously in his band’s unique sound.

 

Of course, that leads to the question that many may want to know the answer to. What kind of country music does Pat Russell and the Pat Russell band play?

 

“We have a slogan that our music is ‘country that rocks.’ When we’re here in June, and we hope to have one more night to play along with our visit to the Brickside, that everyone that comes out will enjoy the sound,” said Russell. “It will great to be back because I miss home and a chance to come back and play in front of friends and family is important to me.

 

“I’m in this for the long haul and doing well with it,” Russell continued. “We don’t know if we’ll get a big break, but we’re fairly established. We hope that big break comes and we’re willing to work for it, but you just never know. This is a tough business.”

 

From a Karaoke stage in Clarksburg, to the Navy, teaching himself to play a guitar and pursue a dream years after many would have given up tells me Russell has the things that could provide that opportunity. And that is a strong work ethic and a great sound.

 

Apparently, people can see and hear that. Take it from a former Karaoke singer that once did rap. No one is asking me to open up for the Sugar Hill Gang.

 

To learn more at Pat Russell, visit his Web site at www.prblive.com, which includes the June schedule when he’ll be back in Harrison County. Also visit their Facebook page by clicking HERE.

 

Editor's Note: Pat Russell is shown in the top photo, while he performed with his band in the bottom two pictures. Photos courtesy of Pat Russell Band Facebook page.