Shake Russell

There was a time when Shake Russell could’ve run for mayor in Houston and probably finished with enough votes to shame both political parties. He might even have pulled a majority in Montrose and the Heights. For almost 30 years, Russell was a duo with Dana Cooper, and the pair consistently played to packed houses. More than just a popular performer, Russell is also no slouch as a songwriter, having had songs recorded by Waylon Jennings (“Deep in the West”), Ricky Skaggs (“You’ve Got a Lover”) and Clint Black (“Put Yourself in My Shoes”). These days, Russell may not be quite as high- profile on the local scene as he once was, but he still keeps packing them in around these parts. Davin James also performs.