Russ grew up in the working-class city of Paterson, New Jersey listening to his favorite music from The Beatles, Kenny Loggins, Eagles, and Stevie Wonder while dreaming that one day music lovers would "Take A Minute" to listen to his songs. That came true, in a big way, with his last independent release titled "Pieces" in 2003. The successful national launch of his first single from the "Pieces" CD, "Take A Minute", debuted as the #1 most added single on the AC40 chart in the prestigious trade publication Friday Morning Quarterback on March 3, 2003. Following, 'Take A Minute' spent 12 weeks in the top 30 (peaking at #24) sharing the chart with such artists as; Train, Maroon 5, Norah Jones and John Mayer. Supported by legendary radio promoter Jerry Lembo who has worked dozens of chart-topping artists’ singles including Shania Twain, James Taylor, and Faith Hill, Lembo says; "This song appeals to the sentiments of the masses who, now more than ever, are learning to live in the present moment".

A staple on the East Coast music scene, performing over 100 live gigs per year, Russ has independently released 6 recordings (‘Pieces’ being #6) and 1 music video including; 4 full-length CDs and 2 EP/Singles and, he has penned more than 300 songs to date. Russ’ songs have been used as spots on NY’s WPLJ Scott & Todd In The Morning, The Howard Stern Radio Show and he has also lent his voice and face to many radio and tv jingles including 2004’s "Visa and The Grinch" commercial starring Jim Carrey. Other songs from his catalog have gained national audio and video exposure on ABC, CBS, VH1 and Fuse. Russ' musical reach has even extended outside the United States; his song "Daydreamin'" (the title track from his 1997 CD release) was a signature tune for the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan and appeared on the CBS Music Library that year.