Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: 53
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 08:04 PM

no. bob

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: Deckman
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 06:54 PM

Hi Toadfrog ... (who makes up these names?). I'm glad you refreshed this post. No, I haven't heard anything new about either Mike Russo or his partner (Jim or Nick?). But, I do have a GREAT IDEA for my retirement years! I think I'll start a service offering to locate "olde" folksingers from the West Coast that taught me all my bad songs in the 50's and sixties! Whatcha' think? CHEERS, Bob Nelson

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: toadfrog
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 02:07 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: mg
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 02:00 PM

I personally haven't heard of him but I'll ask around the Portland folks. mg

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: toadfrog
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 11:11 PM

Thanks, deckman. I even have a vague recollection of having met a Mary Garvy or Garvey - way, way back when. But there seems to be no mgarvy on Mudcat. With your sterling encouragement, maybe I'll refresh a couple times more before giving up. Yeah, there are some really nitty gritty folks up in the Northwest. I kind of miss them down here in wimpy California. Mike was one of them. When I knew him, he had a sidekick named Nick - I don't recall the last name, but his nickname was Beat Nick. A contrast to Mike.

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 05:30 AM

Toadfrog ... As I remember, Mike sorta looked like an early Ernie Kovac! He was fun, a real powerhouse. Suggestion ... you might contact Mary Garvy, I think she often posts on mudcat as mgarvy. She lives close to Portland and probably knows the current folk scene well. She might be able to lead the search, but I obviously can't speak for her. I'm pleased you started this thread, as I also often wonder as to where he is. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: toadfrog
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 12:20 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: toadfrog
Date: 17 Jun 01 - 01:06 AM

Roger, Thanks very much! If I had had any smarts, I would have done a web search myself. I guess I was hoping someone out there knew him personally; it seems remarkable no one does.

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 16 Jun 01 - 04:28 AM

I did some net searching when I first saw this, there are references to records, posters and festivals from the 60's/ early 70's, but nothing after that. I sent some emails to the the most likely looking places asking for any recent information.

Subject: RE: Help: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Jun 01 - 04:16 PM

You bet I did. I caught Mike Russo in several concerts in the Seattle area in the fifties. As I recall, he performed with a guitarist names Jim Brentano (sp?). I've often wondered what happened to the. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: Anyone heard of Mike Russo?
From: toadfrog
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 04:23 PM

Mike Russo was the leader and guru of everyone interested in blues or folk music in Portland in the late 50's. He was a little like Simenon's "Little Angel," he lived for music and had no visible ego or interest in fame or fortune.

Mike cut a vinyl disk/album with Arhoolie in 1969, which I later acquired (and warmly recommend to any piano blues fancier, if it's still in print). The jacket notes gave me an update indicating Mike had graduated from guitar to piano, served in the Army, got divorced, and done "hundreds" of concerts. And returned to Portland, Ore., where he was gainfully employed painting signs.

Anyone heard anything about this guy.