Raised in the small mountain town of Pine, Arizona, Russell's love for music began early. When he received his first guitar at age 14, everything changed.
"I was sold," Russell recalls. "Music was everything."
Like many aspiring musicians before him, he learned by listening to records and studying the masters. He'd drop the needle on songs over and over again, replaying the same sections until he could figure out the chords, melodies, and stories that made those songs special.
His musical influences read like a who's who of country music legends: George Jones, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard, Charlie Pride, Chris LeDoux, Tom T. Hall, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., Jerry Jeff Walker, Don Williams, Bobby Bare, John Denver, Roy Clark, and countless others who helped shape his appreciation for authentic storytelling through song.
By the time he was 16, Russell and a couple of friends decided it was time to start a band.
And yes, they even had matching shirts.
What began as a teenage passion would eventually become a lifelong pursuit.
But it wasn't just performing that captured Russell's attention—it was songwriting.
He wrote his first meaningful song for his first love, Sydney Denise. Years later, after losing her to cancer when they were both just 22 years old, he wrote another song in her memory. That experience left a lasting mark on his life and his music.
Over time, songwriting became more than a hobby. It became a way to process loss, celebrate victories, preserve memories, and make sense of life's journey.
Yet Russell's story is not only one of heartbreak. It is also one of enduring love.
Today, he credits much of his happiness and stability to his wife, Colleen—known affectionately as "Mrs. Rattlesnake .45."
After 28 years together, their relationship remains one of the foundations of his life and a reminder that some of life's greatest blessings come after the hardest chapters.
As Russell proudly says:
"Lucky to have the beautiful Mrs. Rattlesnake .45 (Colleen) in my life... 28 years and counting!"
That commitment, loyalty, and appreciation for the people who matter most can be heard throughout his music and reflected in the stories he tells through song.
For decades, Russell continued writing, collecting experiences, and holding onto a dream that first took shape as a teenager.
He remembers being 15 years old, holding an album cover in his hands and telling himself:
"I'm going to make a record of my stuff one day."
Life, family, work, and responsibilities may have stretched that timeline, but they never erased the dream.
Now, more than 50 years later, that dream has become reality.
On June 9, Russell will release his new album, The Way I Am, available on all major streaming platforms and on CD through his website. The album represents a lifetime of stories, lessons learned, friendships gained, love found, loss endured, and memories worth preserving.
It's not a project built around trends or chasing commercial success. It's a collection of songs from a man who has lived the stories he's singing about.
And that's exactly what makes it special.
At AZDCMA, we're proud to welcome Russell Howe and Rattlesnake 45 to our growing family of Arizona artists. His journey serves as a reminder that it's never too late to pursue a dream, share your story, or create something meaningful.
Sometimes the best songs aren't written overnight.
Sometimes they take a lifetime.
Please join us in welcoming Russell Howe & Rattlesnake 45 to AZDCMA and be sure to listen to "The Way I Am" which was released on June 9.
You can find all things "Rattlesnake 45" HERE:
