If you don’t feel like following tonight’s American Country Awards on Fox – I’ll be live blogging along with the show – Okemah singer-songwriter Shawna Russell is hosting the “Breaking Out” video show on The Country Network (TCN) at 7 tonight and again on Dec. 12. TCN is Cox channel 218 in Oklahoma City.

Russell recently released “Waitin’ On Sunrise,” the second U.S. single from her self-titled sophomore album.

The Oklahoma native released her self-titled sophomore album on Way Out West Records in June 2011. Co-produced by Julian King (Grammy-winning …

Spectators watch a fireworks display during the 2010 Independence Day celebration Red, White, and Boom! east of the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Archives)

My excellent colleague George Lang and I teamed up to assemble this roundup of Independence Day events happening around Oklahoma for Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To read my interview with Fort Sill Independence Day Celebration headliner Miranda Lambert, click here. To read my feature on Jamey Johnson, who is playing Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour, click

A version of this story appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

Shawna Russell continues to live her music dream.
Okemah singer/songwriter/guitarist released her self-titled second album, playing home state shows this weekend

Shawna Russell emerged as a country-rock “Goddess” with her 2008 debut album.

Crowned among the Country Music Association’s “Who New to Watch,” the Okemah singer/songwriter/guitarist has now conjured up her self-titled second album, and she’s come too far and worked too hard to get mired in the dreaded sophomore slump.

“It’s just always one of …

Ronnie Dunn, former Tulsan and former half of the superstar duo Brooks & Dunn, releases his first album as a solo artist today. The self-titled album already has notched a top 10 single on the Billboard Top Country Songs chart with the passionate anthem “Bleed Red.” Look for my review of “Ronnie Dunn” in the coming days.

Okemeh singer-songwriter Shawna Russell drops her self-titled sophomore album today. Russell first came on to the national and international music scene with the release of her debut album “Goddess” (Way Out West Records), …

Okemah singer-songwriter Shawna Russell and her label Way Out West Records have released the video for her latest single, “Get Right Or Get Left.”

“Get Right Or Get Left” was written by Russell; her father, Keith Russell; and her uncle, Tim Russell. The song is the current US single from her forthcoming self-titled album, recorded at LOUD Studios in Nashville and produced by Grammy-winning engineer, Julian King, along with Clif Doyal and Tim Russell. The album is slated for release in late spring 2011.

The video “Get Right Or Get …

Shawna Russell

Shawnee Community & Non-Profit on wimgo

SHAWNEE – Oklahoma musical talents Shawna Russell, Stars Go Dim and Chuck Allen Floyd will perform at a benefit concert titled “Stars for the Homeless” at 7 tonight at the Shawnee Municipal Auditorium, 401 N Bell Ave.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. They may be charged by phone at (800) 965-9324 or online at www.itickets.com.

The “Stars for the Homeless 2011” benefit concert is a joint effort of Red River Productions, Small Pocket Poets Agency and others …

Oklahoma singer-songwriter Shawna Russell will headline a concert to benefit the historic Crystal Theatre in her hometown of Okemah at 7 p.m. Saturday. The show will take place at Okemah Middle School Auditorium, 204 West Date. Tickets are $10 at the door. Ben Short will open the show.

All proceeds from the concert will go toward the renovation and restoration of the historic downtown landmark. In addition to movies, the theater also hosts many musical events during the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival and other times during the year. Russell …

Oklahoma country artist Shawna Russell is offering a free download of her powerful new song, “Rumor,” during the month of November at her Web site www.shawnarussell.com/home.htm. The talented Okemah singer is in great voice on this new track, which is definitely a great free gift.

Fans who download the song will also have the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition series signed copy of Russell’s unreleased “Goddess Multimedia Edition” CD/DVD combo at a special price of $14.99.

“Rumor” has spread across radio waves and the Internet since its release three …

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

Here is a list of events happening around Oklahoma this weekend (Sept. 25-27). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

- TULSA — Hear country starlet Taylor Swift, with Kellie Pickler and Gloriana, at 7 p.m. Sunday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.

- Take in small artworks by 150 Oklahoma artists, live music and food at the 12×12 Art Show & Sale at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Fred Jones Industries Building, 900 W Main. The event is the …

Jackson Browne

Here is a list of events happening in Oklahoma this weekend (Aug. 28-30):

- Hear Jackson Browne at 8 tonight at the Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com.

- Take in hands-on art activities, mini-tours, dance demonstrations and more from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Family Day celebrating the exhibit “Turner to Cezanne” at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com. 

- NORMAN – See the wares of local artists …