RUSSELL & JULIE PARIS
BIOGRAPHY:

Childhood sweethearts Russell & Julie Paris were both born in Los Angeles and raised in the San Fernando Valley. They first met in a 9th grade English class and started dating at the beginning of 11th grade. Russell is a graduate of Brandeis University. Julie is a graduate of California State University, Northridge. They were married in 1985 and have 3 wonderful sons, 3 beautiful daughters-in-law, and 3 grandchildren with one on the way!

Russell & Julie started their Graphic Design company, JRP Productions, in 1993. For more than 20 years, they ran the company full time from their home office, which allowed them to spend more time with their children as they were growing up. JRP Productions specializes in the design and printing of brochures, newlsetters, logos, stationery, business cards, posters, banners, advertisements and other promotional items. They also have created CD and DVD covers and packaging as well as websites, invitations and announcements for all occasions. They still run the business part time while maintaining other jobs outside of the home.   www.jrpgraphics.com

Russell and Julie are music fans, hosts and supporters. Founders of Russ & Julie's House Concerts in early 1997, they have been hosting monthly House Concerts for more than 20 years now -- well over 225 shows! Among those who have performed at Russ & Julie's House Concerts are Jim Messina (Buffalo Springfield / Poco / Loggins & Mesinna), John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Chris Hillman (The Byrds / Manassas / Flying Burrito Bros.) & Herb Pedersen (Desert Rose Band / Laurel Canyon Ramblers), Mary McCaslin, Severin Browne, Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings), Penny Nichols, Lowen & Navarro, Karla Bonoff, Wendy Waldman & Kenny Edwards, James Lee Stanley, Barry McGuire, Caroline Aiken, Ellis Paul, Darryl Purpose, Doug Haywood, Laurel Massé (Manhattan Transfer), Van Dyke Parks, Rosemary Butler, Bill Payne (Little Feat), John Hall (Orleans), Steve Gillette, The Kennedys, Iain Matthews, Laura Love, Artie Traum, Ronny Cox, Janet Robin, Wayne Kramer (MC5), Jon Pousettte-Dart, Marshall Crenshaw, A.J. Croce, Eric Andersen, and Andrew Gold.

In their efforts to promote live music performance, Russ & Julie have helped other House Concerts get started and have promoted folk and acoustic concerts in the area. Their publicity efforts to spread the word about House Concerts have resulted in their being featured on KCBS Channel 2 News for a "Special Assignment" story on House Concerts in March 2001 and on NPR's "Marketplace" for a story on house concerts in February 2002, where Russ & Julie were interviewed along with Darryl Purpose and Dar Williams!

Russ & Julie's House Concerts has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, The Ventura County Star, The Acorn, The Conejo Valley Examiner, FolkWorks, Ventura Life & Style Magazine, Connected Magazine, Stereophile Magazine, The Lefsetz Letter and other local and regional publications. Most recently, the Ventura Country Reporter listed Russ & Julie's House Concerts as "Best Intimate Folk" in their 2012 "Best of Ventura County" issue and in January 2013, the Christian Science Monitor featured Russ & Julie's House Concerts in an article.   www.houseconcerts.us

Russ & Julie were on the formation committee for Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West), the western regional chapter of Folk Alliance International. FAR-West's mission is to strengthen the ecology for folk music and build stronger artists, presenters and audiences. Working with local folk luminaries like Howard & Roz Larman (of Folkscene Radio), Elaine & Clark Weissman (of the California Traditional Music Society), and Steve & Leda Shapiro (of FolkWorks), they helped to start what has become one of the leading acoustic music conferences on the west coast, bringing hundreds of musicians, venues, DJs and other music industry people together each year for networking, performance and education.

Russ & Julie have both served on the Board of Directors of FAR-West for a number of years. Russ has been Secretary of the organization and has servered as chair of the Showcase, Venue Outreach, Program Book, Best of the West and Sponsorship Committees. Julie has served as both Treasurer (8 yrs.), Conference Coordinator (2 yrs.) and has created the annual conference Program Book for the past 9 years. They both work tirelessly behind the scenes to make FAR-West a success and to spread the opportunities for live acoustic music on the west coast.   www.far-west.org

Russ & Julie also believe strongly in giving back to the community. Some of their house concerts have been benefit shows to raise money for worthwhile causes including Music Heals, Red Cross, and Jail Guitar Doors USA. The big 10th Anniversary House Concert at Russ & Julie's raised money for the instrumental music program at the local high school. And they have helped raise funds and awareness for the "Wrecking Crew" film, which was officially released in the summer of 2015.

In an effort to build community and grow attendance for acoustic music venues in their area, they created a website called AcousticMusic101.com which is an effort to cross-promote accoustic music venues and events along the Ventura Freeway Corridor -- roughly the 101 Freeway from the city of Ventura, through the San Fernando Valley west to Pasadena. Acoustic music venues, house concerts, festivals and other special events within these borders can be included and promoted for no fees.   www.AcousticMusic101.com

In May 2013, Russ & Julie were honored with the annual "Legend Award" by the Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival joining past award recipients like Bob Stane (The Ice House / Coffee Gallery Backstage), musicians Ross Altman, Richard Greene, Peter Feldmann, Bess Lomax Hawes, Sam Hinton, and their FAR-West co-founders Howard & Roz Larman (of Folkscene Radio), Elaine & Clark Weissman (of the California Traditional Music Society), and Steve & Leda Shapiro (of FolkWorks).

In October 2015, Russ & Julie received the 11th Annual FAR-West "Best of the West" Amabassador Award at the annual FAR-West Music Conference in Oakland, CA. This award, presented annually by the FAR-West Board of Directors, has been previously given to Bread & Roses, The Ash Grove, Freight & Salvage, Howard & Roz Larman of FolkScene, Bob Stane of Ice House/Coffee Gallery, and Cloud Moss of Kate Wolf Memorial Festival not to mention musicians like The Kingston Trio, Chris Hillman, Barry McGuire, John McEuen, Laurie Lewis, Utah Phillips, Rosalie Sorrels, Joe Craven and Lowen & Navarro among a number of others. Press Release.

Russ & Julie have volunteered at CTMS festivals, L.A. Acoustic Music Festivals, and can often be found taking tickets or selling CDs at house concerts and music venues around the area. They try to find time to dance quietly in the back at each house concert they host and say that they do it all for the love of the music.