Staff Photo by Morris Stephenson:
Franklin County native Russell Robertson, a singer/songwriter/musician, lip-synched his song Dudleys 24-Hour Truck Stop and Restaurant during a Monday at the restaurant for the music video. |
Friday, September 26, 2008
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
Country music singer Russell Robertson, known professionally in Nashville as Russ Roberts, came home to Franklin County this week.
It wasn't a typical visit to see family and friends. In this particular case, they were the ones who gathered to show their support and listen to music.
Robertson, a 1973 graduate of Franklin County High School, made the trip, along his wife and three Nashville colleagues, to film a music video. He drew from his Franklin County past to write the song about Dudley's Truck Stop, a well-known business, located about three miles north of Rocky Mount on Route 220.
"Dudley's 24-Hour Truck Stop and Restaurant" is the song Robertson wrote and recorded to pay tribute to his roots in the county.
Before a crowd of relatives and friends arrived, Robertson was filming in front of the truck stop as he pretended to strum his guitar and sing.
Once the film crew moved inside the restaurant, a large "boom box" was put into action with the volume cranked up.
Standing at one end of the main dining area, Robertson began lip-synching under the glaring lights for the cameras.
At the same time, Larry Mark, a production assistant, was recording the camera's footage readings.
Scott Wilk's camera also focused on the audience, including Dr. Donald Weibel, who just happened to stop by to eat and had no clue what was taking place as he entered.
Beaming with pride from behind the counter was Barbara Dudley, owner of the restaurant. She is mentioned by name in Robertson's song. His wife, Debbie, is Barbara Dudley's younger sister.
The three-man crew from Landmark Communications Group in Hendersonville, Tenn., worked with Robertson for more than three hours Monday to get the footage needed to produce the video.
The crew filmed a variety of action to work into the final product.
Part of the props was a Cundiff Trucking 18-wheeler parked in front. It was brought there by John Cole and Joey Digenova.
Robertson was filmed climbing into the truck, as well as sounding a couple of blasts from its horn.
Franklin County Deputies D.L. King and S.E. Richardson took a few minutes to make a guest appearance. They were filmed arresting a drunk, portrayed by Bill Anderson Jr., president of the Landmark Group. Anderson appeared as if he had sipped too much from a green Mason jar (filled with water), which the officers discovered while questioning the man.
King sniffed the contents of the jar and made a face as if he smelled "white lightnin'," which prompted Richardson to place Anderson in handcuffs. The officers exited the video by leading the cuffed man out of the restaurant.
Between takes, Robertson had fun greeting and talking to former FCHS classmates, who dropped by to see their old friend.
The singer said he almost did not make the trip because "no one had any gas in Nashville. I finally bought 10 gallons and that got us out of the area." Robertson visited with his mother Norma Jean Jones of Rocky Mount and other relatives. Robertson has two brothers, Dewayne, who works for a nuclear power plant in Maryland, and Keith, a mortgage lender in Franklin County.
During another break, Robertson recalled how he and his wife sold their house so they could be close to the country music scene in Nashville. He vividly recalls the date as Oct. 1, 1985.
For 23 years, Russ Roberts has been a familiar face in Nashville's music scene. He works both solo and with a band. Roberts has performed with Charlie Daniels, The Judds, Tom T. Hall, Sheb Woolly, B.J. Thomas, Tanya Tucker and even Bob Hope.
His song "Same Ol' Feelin' Feelin'" was featured in the movie "Varsity Blues." Opry star Jack Greene also recorded one of his songs.
"I've also worked with Ben Coulder, who sang 'Purple People Eater.' I also get to do a lot of acoustic stuff with my guitar," he added.
Robertson collaborated with Ed Bruce and has been featured on Bruce's last two gospel CDs. He is currently writing songs for a new country CD, a new gospel CD, a special market CD and a new movie "4th and Goal," which will be filmed in Texas late this year or early next year.
Robertson also finds time to perform at some of Nashville's hot spots, including "The Nolensville Feed Mill." He performs songs from his live gospel CD at Nashville Cowboy Church, Smokey Mountain Cowboy Church and other places of worship.
"I've written a lot of songs and had the chance to write with the late Doodle Owens, who wrote 'Wine Colored Roses'," Robertson said.
"Doodle wrote more than 1,100 songs. I had the opportunity to work with him for three years before he died in 1999. He always encouraged me to never give up songwriting. He kept telling me that one day I would make it as a writer," he continued.
"I've had the chance to work with a lot of cool people over the years," Robertson added.
When not singing, he enjoys collecting guitars and Mopar muscle cars, along with woodworking.
"Music is a wonderful gift from God, and I'm thankful I can participate in that gift in any way, shape or form," he said. "It's great being able to make a living doing what I love to do."
As for the music video, Robertson said they hope to market the finished product with either Country Music Television (CMT) or Great American Country (GAC).
Robertson's songs can be downloaded at www.myspace.com/russroberts. |
