FAST FIVE: Kick up your heels with Rusty Jackson
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | November 4, 2023 1:00 AM
Meet Rusty Jackson, an entertainer based in Post Falls who performs over 150 shows a year. He is also the director of the Northwest Country Music Association (NW-CMA). The NW-CMA is having its annual awards show at the Bing Crosby Theater at 6 p.m. Sunday. Details can be found on Rusty's website, rustyjackson.com.
1) How long have you been a musician, and why country music?
I started learning to play the guitar when I was 11. My dad was a big influence and he loved country music. I got into a band when I was 19 but then at age 21, I decided to pursue a "normal" life. For the next several years I only played music in church. Then 10 years ago, I got the idea to get back out and play country music again. The funny thing is that the country songs that were popular when I was 19 are still pretty popular!
2) What joy and fulfillment do you experience when you are on stage performing?
Playing and creating music has always been my passion. I love to see people react to what I'm doing. I like making people laugh and I love to entertain — I feel most alive when I'm on stage!
3) Who are some of your musical idols and why?
Johnny Cash — his voice communicated such strength. Kris Kristofferson - best writer ever and his voice communicates everything. James Taylor — I love his writing and his guitar style.
4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Rusty Jackson is my "stage name." My birth name is Russ Reese, but when I was a kid everyone in my family called me "Rusty." When I started performing country music again (10 years ago), I decided to use the name Rusty Jackson because my dad's name is Jack — thus Rusty, Jack's son. I'm glad I did it — he passed away many years ago and it's my way of honoring him.
5) What is your favorite song of all time, or if you don't have a No. 1, what are a few of your favorites and why?
"Loving Her was Easier Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again" by Kris Kristofferson. I love it for three reasons. First is just the pure poetry of the lyrics. Second, it was popular when I was a teenager and it was one of the few songs that I could sing well at that time because my voice liked the melody. And third is a very personal reason — a few years ago that song took a new, deeper meaning for me that made me love it even more!
ARTICLES BY DEVIN WEEKS
North Idaho nonprofit launches $10M capital campaign for larger space
Veteran nonprofit launches $10M capital campaign for larger space
Newby-ginnings of North Idaho isn't in need of a new beginning — it needs a new building. The Post Falls nonprofit that serves the region's veterans, active service members and Gold Star families has launched a $10 million capital campaign to find a larger location to accommodate the growing need to support its expanding client population.
Coeur d'Alene High School music programs bolstered by donations
Instrument donations warm up support for Coeur d'Alene High School music programs
John Tindall was a proud tuba player and Coeur d'Alene High School musician. "John was very much a connector," John's wife, Tracey Tindall, said Wednesday. "He loved talking about the good old days. He loved talking about band." He used to replace the word "fiddle" with "tuba" when "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" played on the radio. "I can't ever not hear that now," Tracey said with a soft laugh. John was especially fond of his time playing at Coeur d'Alene High, from which he and Tracey graduated in 1984 — a golden era to be a Viking.
Twin Lakes Elementary hosts 'Kids and Coding' event for Lakeland students, families
Twin Lakes Elementary hosts 'Kids and Coding' event for Lakeland students, families
Tomorrow's jobs will require the experience and expertise of today's young minds. Elementary students from across the Lakeland Joint School District enjoyed dabbling in age-appropriate robotics and tech toys Wednesday during the "Kids and Coding" Advanced Learning Program event at Twin Lakes Elementary School. Betty Kiefer Elementary kindergartner Atlas Pursley, 5, was engrossed in the world of Hexbugs, small robotic critters that vibrated along a green track on a table. “I just mowed that boy!” an animated Atlas Pursley exclaimed as one piece knocked another out of the track.