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Russ Johnson Bio
Born: September 24, 1965
Location: Spartanburg, SC

Current Residence: Nashville, Tennessee
Employment: The Wildhorse Saloon
Position: Head DJ for 4 years
 

With his fascination of the microphone at the age of 9 , Russ Johnson had no idea how long his fascination would last. At 13 years of age, while most of his other friends were practicing football at Boiling Springs Jr. High, Russ and some of his neighborhood friends would "play radio" in his basement with a Numark mixer he had picked up from a radio DJ, and a couple of  turntables purchased from Radio Shack. This play time was only the beginning of preparation for what he would make his full time profession.

As a sophomore in high school, Russ obtained a job as DJ for The Warehouse, a huge teen nightclub featuring the States largest lighted dance floor and a large movie room.

His success as a nightclub DJ led him to performing at private party functions, thus was born Reflex Music, his private DJ service for all occasions that lasted over 18 years and only recently disbanded.

While attending Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Russ worked at Rock Hill's finest dance club and nightclub chain, Crazy Zacks.

While there, WROQ-FM Charlotte DJ, Kent Layton ( now at WESC in Greenville, SC) was visiting the club and heard Russ entertaining the crowd. Kent went to the DJ booth and told Russ he had a good voice and wondered if he had ever considered radio. Russ jumped at his chance to work at the station he and most everyone on campus was listening to. An aircheck was developed the next day, then the following day, Program Director Randall C. Bliss called and offered a part-time position.

6 months later, Russ was promoted to full time overnights making a whopping $13,500 per year. He paid his rent ($420.00), ate, fed the dog, and loved it.

Russ remembers: "I did'nt realize I did'nt have money. I really did'nt have anything to compare it to, I was fresh out of college! Thirteen thousand dollars sounded like a lot of money to me. Now I wonder, how did I do that?

From WROQ, Russ went to WKSF in Asheville, North Carolina, then onto WANS-FM/AM in Greenville, South Carolina, where he would serve as Program Director and on air swing guy.

Next was the 40th maket at WSSL-FM  to serve as afternoon personality maintaining the #1 station in the market. After a 2 year stint at WSSL, Russ was DJ at a local country club, Cowboys in Greenville. It was here that Russ was noticed by Gaylord Entertainments Brian Pierce, and invited to become what has now become The World Famous Wildhorse Saloon on 2nd Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee.

While with The Wildhorse, Russ and Wildhorse Video Director, Jeff Wills had a weekly radio program broadcasting live from The Wildhorse Saloon on Nashvilles legendary sister station WSM-FM. This show was cancelled when Jeff moved to Cincinatti , Ohio in order to pursue a video career.

Russ related why he desired to stop the program after Jeff moved: " It's like listening to your favorite morning team when one of the team members isn't there. It not the same! Our chemistry was strong, and I felt better by letting it go away. Jeff was a vital part of this program and I felt that we needed to let it rest and start over later with something totally different. Russ is hoping to return to Nashville radio in the near future.

"Radio is in my blood! Life might be easier if I had a blood transfusuion."

Russ has been with Gaylord Entertainment since May 1994.