Russell Irving joined the Rhythm Kings after the departure of Dan Holden in 1999.. First love is country music. Plays guitars, acoustic and electric. Russ is the band electrician. He is well qualified. He used to be in the merchant navy. He has been to the Mississippi but his boat sailed right past New Orleans and went up to Baton Rouge!! Took up banjo to play with the Rhythm Kings. Like many of the banjo players who recorded in the 20‘s he plays a banjo with guitar tuning.
No, it ain’t cheating. So did Johnny St.Cyr.(He also used a 6-string banjo guitar)
He has been out of action due to illness until recently, but happily is now back with us.
Russ is a regular stewart at the Maryport Blues Festival where the headliner this year is non other than Chuck Berry.