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Bio

[Jessica Russell] – Biography

Genre: Country  

Hometown: [Chester, Nova Scotia]

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Jessica Russell is a two-time Josie Music Awards nominee, recognized for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for her single She Can Keep It, which peaked at #3 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown. The Nova Scotia based country artist is known for her heartfelt songwriting and authentic, captivating vocals. 

Her debut single Here We Go, released in 2023, tells the story of a girl who is ready to leave her hometown and make a place for herself in the world. This passion for travel and storytelling has taken her coast to coast from her hometown in Nova Scotia to Whitehorse, YT., with national radio airplay on over 80 stations. 

Following her first release, Jessica continued the momentum with single Pause On Over, bringing her many showcasing opportunities at festivals and venues both nationally and internationally. 

Beyond the stage, Jessica is passionate about building her musical community and encouraging the next generation of musicians. She is the founder and director of “Country at the Cross”, a music festival launched in 2022 in her hometown of New Ross, Nova Scotia. She also founded “Song Circle”, an after-school program for aspiring young songwriters, offering guidance in songwriting, recording and live performance. 

Live Performances

Career Highlights

2026

• Jessica released a physical CD exclusive EP featuring hit songs like "She Can Keep It", and "Pause On Over", as well as two unreleased singles.

  • Single "Would You Take Me" (from the EP), was recorded at Beaird Music Studio in Nashville, TN is set to release in the fall of 2026. 

• Jessica's country music festival "Country at the Cross" is back for another year on September 12th - featuring artists from around Nova Scotia. 

• Jessica played multiple festivals and showcases around Nova Scotia, including the South Shore Exhibition, Privateer Days Festival, Music on the Riverbank, Chester Race Week and the Tancook Island Summer Carnival. 

2025

• Jessica's single "She Can Keep It", released February 14th 2025 peaked at #3 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown, and received "Song of the Year" Nomination at the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards in Nashville, TN. 

  • Jessica also received a second nomination for "Songwriter of the Year" at the Josie Music Awards. 

• Jessica performed at several Nova Scotia Exhibitions and Festivals this past summer, including the Annapolis Valley Exhibition, where she had the opportunity to open for Shawn Austin on the Riverside Main Stage on Saturday, August 16. 

• Jessica organized and headlined the 2nd Annual Country at the Cross Music Festival, an organization in which she founded in 2022. 

  • She also started an after school program & summer camp to coach and inspire the next generation of songwriters in her hometown. Students wrote, recorded, and performed their original songs with the help of Jessica and friends. 

• Other show highlights for summer 2025 include South Shore Exhibition, EMERGE HFX Music Festival, Halifax County Exhibition, Chester Race Week, Lunenburg Food N Craft Festival, Liverpool Privateer Days, and Music on the Riverbank.

• Jessica made her international debut at The Get Up show in Nashville, TN in November.

2023/2024

• Released single "Here We Go" (July 2023), which peaked at #7 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown, and sparked the idea for a Canadian Bar Tour from Nova Scotia to Vancouver, BC. 

  • The "Here We Go Tour" kicked off in Nova Scotia in the fall of 2023, and ended in Vancouver, BC in December 2023, stopping in 6 provinces along the way. 

  • After wrapping up the tour, Jessica moved to Calgary for 6 months to immerse herself in the Alberta country music scene, making meaningful connections and touring the province. 

  • Before returning to Nova Scotia in July 2024, Jessica set out on an Alberta Tour - with an extra special (unexpected) stop in Whitehorse, YT. 

• Released single "Pause On Over" (February 2024), which received National Radio Play (on over 50 stations) and made the Top 10 "CanCon Downloads, Most Active Indies, and Top Country Downloads" charts, for repeating weeks. (Sharing the latter with Beyonce's "Texas Hold Em"), and peaked at #12 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown. 

• Notable performances for 2023/2024 include: 

  • multiple dates at Ranchman's Calgary, 

  • TransCanada Brewing in Winnipeg, 

  • Harvest Moon Music Festival (NS), 

  • Country at the Cross Music Festival (NS), 

  • Hemford Hill Music Festival (NS), 

  • The Venue (High River, AB), 

  • Headlining show at the oldest hotel in Whitehorse, YT (98 Hotel Bar), 

  • Country Music Alberta's Songwriters Showcase at the legendary King Eddy (Calgary, AB).

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