Hi, I’m Russ

Early on

1962
Began playing an old Hohner orange creamsicle colored electric organ. My Mom thought I was pretty good for a 4-year-old!

1966 – 1976
Began playing the trumpet at Alvin M. Dunn Elementary, San Marcos Jr High and San Marcos High.

1974
Bought a bass guitar and amp.

1976
Graduated from high school and rediscovered the bass guitar. Inception of “Eternity” My first long-haired rock “n” roll band.

1978
Formed “4Ever” where I played bass guitar and discovered I could sing too!

1980
Re-formed “4Ever” with much greater success. Played San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange Counties for about 3 years.

1982
Reformed “4Ever”… again! Invested in our first studio. Purchased lights, sound and developed. I needed to get an education if I wanted any kind of security, so off to college for 10 years!

1984 – 1999
The “Dark ages” Spent 10 years in San Diego and LA in grad school and then set up a practice and raised 3 kids. While I was in school, I sold my bass and bought a guitar. Began learning the basics.

1999
Inception of “Short Leash” I was the guitarist and vocalist along with my buddy from high school. Had some limited success but couldn’t find a solid rhythm section until about 2005.

2005 – 2010
“Short Leasch” Developed a definite 80s/R&B/New Wave/Disco flavor thanks to the input from the new drummer and me. We were a power trio, and I introduced keyboards into my repertoire. Several incarnations over a five-year period of time, but none better than the original.

2016
Watching “Runnin’ Down a Dream” on Netflix, Mr. Petty stated something I knew was the God’s honest truth. “You can take the sailor away from the sea, but he’ll spend the rest of his life dreaming about it.” I was weary of dreaming about my lifelong passion. Unpacked all my gear, started developing a digital PA system, all new keyboards, and fulfilled my dream of guitars I always wanted. If I wanted to put a dream team together, it was going to be my responsibility.

2021
The bass player from that band, Glenn, and I continue to work together during the pandemic on a tribute band project for Stone Temple Pilots. We worked together for about a year until we just couldn’t find any players with the ability to perform at that level. I joined Feedback of San Diego and played extensively with them for about 8 months until I decided to retire to East Tennessee.

2022
I arrived in East Tennessee in June and spent much of the summer renovating our house.

Current

Short Leasch begins with some amazing support players from all over the country!

New lights, PA and a great attitude.

Away we go, again!

Watch out East Tennessee!