As party animals go, Country Gospel recording artist Ricky Russ used to be about as wild as they come. The Texas-born singer/songwriter admits he spent several years playing music in bars and indulging in heavy drinking, womanizing and all-around bad behavior.
Russ said things eventually got way out of hand and he began a dark descent into loneliness, depression and desperation. At the bottom, he stared into the faces of his demons and knew something had to give. It was time to change his tune or his career, and his life, might be over for good.
“I tried life the hard way and it didn’t work,” said Russ, who is backed by The180 Band. “And I admit I have regrets and wonder where I would be now if I had done things completely different, on the straight and narrow. It’s so easy to get trapped in things that aren’t good for you. But life comes with an instruction manual and following it makes things a whole lot easier.”
The manual Russ is referring to is the Holy Bible, which he says he reads daily for strength, wisdom and guidance. Along his spiritual journey, Ricky saw that God gave him his musical talents to encourage and equip other Christians on their walk with Jesus.
He began to pray for an opportunity to follow that path and God opened a door. One day he met singer/songwriter Leon Joplin at a gas station in Buffalo Gap, TX.
Russ, who lives in Abilene, TX, struck up a conversation with Joplin and learned that Leon shared his love for the Lord and Christian country music. Joplin gave Russ two of his CDs, one that included the song “Simply Ask.” Ricky soon found himself in the studio recording the song, which was the beginning of his professional career.
“God will give you the desires of your heart,” said Russ, who describes his sound as new country with a rock edge. “And he can use anybody He wants to spread the gospel. If you ask Him to show you what He wants you to do for Him and help you to do it, He will. I’m living proof of that.”
Russ, who began performing professionally in 1999, has released two CDs, “Special Delivery” and “Outside the Box.” In 2007, Russ won the CGC’s “Male Vocalist of the Year award. He also hosts the award-winning Internet radio show, “God’s Country Radio,” which has a large listener base around the world.
Russ’ song, "Always With Me" recently reached No. 1 on the International Christian Country Chart. Five other landed in the Top 20.
“(Ricky) delivers the Gospel of Jesus Christ, cloaked in country music, in a style that breaks down walls and touches the soul of man,” said Gene Farington of Country Gospel Magazine.
“He can woo a sinner’s heart and have it touched by the spirit of God before that sinner can raise up any barriers. This is one minister of the Gospel that you’ll absolutely want for your concerts, rodeos, reunions, youth events and church services. | 
