About Gary Russ

The youngest of 11 children born in Central City, Kentucky near the area where Chet Atkins and Merle Travis perfected the famous guitar sound of country music, Gary Russ and his family could not help but learn to play music.  They sang and played multiple instruments in church and in a rental property of their father's they affectionately called "The Pickin' House."  They loved clean country music, but did not want to play in honky tonks or bars.  "The Pickin' House" was a place where they could play both Gospel and positive country music with friends.  It was a place where they could have fun, but not the kind of "fun" in honky tonks.

The choice of this song, written by Marshall McKellar, was not a difficult choice for Gary.  When he heard the song, his daughter had just given birth to her son after a miscarriage, the only boy to be born to the family. The entire family was in the depths of grief.  Gary says, "When I heard just the first six words of the song, there was no doubt the song was written for me."

Then, the second verse comes in and brings the understanding of why "God Don't Waste a Hurt."   It is a song that will comfort anyone going through the loss of a loved one.  
Gary's rich, smooth country voice was the perfect fit for the song's presentation, but having the emotion and personal experience behind it took it to a whole new level.  

You will appreciate Gary Russ' first release on Nashville Christian Country.  

You may reach Gary Russ for interviews or liners   
at:  270-543-3734