Daily Inspiration: Meet Shane Russell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane Russell. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Destiny is the best word to describe Hold The Line: a Tribute to ToTo. Bill Thode, keys and vocals, a prominent lawyer in Denver had a unique vision of a Toto tribute in his mind for years. After a brief stint in a Steely Dan tribute (of which Toto worked with extensively) Bill contacted long-time bassist friend Ron Perron and his friend Joe Morton. (drums). Ron and Joe had lived and worked in LA with world-renowned artists like Eta James, Al Jarreau, BB King, and others. After 4 guitarists auditioned, Bill found Bob Croft and they needed a Bobby Kimball for vocals. After several months and 6 vocalist- potentials later, another metamorphosis was taking place 1,100 miles away. Shane Russell, lead vocalist, in Mississippi, had tons of experience in several national tributes to bands such as Journey and Foreigner. After 7 years in Nashville (inspired to move due to seeing the Falling In Between DVD) and working on cruise ships, a booking agency had to cancel all shows in 2020, due to Covid. After years of concerts and a working relationship with the booking agency, Shane was forced to stop performing for most of that year. For 10 years, Shane had been an avid Toto fan, and never dreamed he’d get to sing Toto songs, chance happened. Searching for most of 2020, Shane saw a Craigslist ad for a vocalist for a Toto tribute… only problem…it was 1,100 miles away. Shane put off contacting the ad for months, until Oct. He responded, and got a call that night from Bill. After a great 1-hour conversation, Shane flew to Denver and the chemistry was immediate! After flying to Denver twice a month for 6 months, HTL performed its first 2 shows, both sell-outs in prestigious venues, and managed 6 shows throughout the summer, one of which was to over 3,000 people at Bobstock Music Fest. What seemed to be a Cinderella story came to a screeching halt in November of 2021. After various medical reasons in 2 members’ lives, 2 members left HTL and 2 more left for various other reasons. It looked as if HTL was ending as shockingly as it began… but chance came knocking again. Shane, busy now with other projects got a call from Bill about 2 guys who were interested in auditioning, Jason Frantz (Berklee grad and international drummer) and David Blakely (super accomplished bassist). The four auditioned 3 guitarists, all who were phenomenal and accomplished in the Denver scene and were deciding on the best fit… when one more time…chance came. David had a guitarist friend in Phoenix, AZ who when once contacted, flew in 2 weeks later and just killed an 11-song audition. With Joe Reyes as the new ‘Luke’, HTL 2.0 was now complete! 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
HTL is as diverse as ToTo themselves. Bill is a prominent lawyer, Shane is getting his Doctorate in Finance and has been to 27 countries performing everywhere from Vegas to New York., Jason and David are versatile musicians and music store employees, and Joe has been onstage with Steve Vai… that about says it all. 

What were you like growing up?
I always knew what I wanted to do… music! My dad was a guitarist in the local club scene, and they put me in front of the television at 3 years old and beat plastic bowls with wooden spoons to Hee-Haw. From being a church drummer and singer to singing and playing in high school rock bands, it was inevitable. 

Contact Info:

• Email: oneslkpkle@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @htl.toto.tribute.denver
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/holdthelinetribute
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/7Pt8dJUezlY