Russell is well known both here and in America. In his early days he competed in, and won all the classes of the International ATOS Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition, and in 1994 when he won the senior division he was judged the overall winner. 

He is a very well travelled and popular organist, and this year he was elected to the board of the ATOS and has taken on the role of chairman of the Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition. Russell has also worked as a cocktail pianist on board the famous cruise liner 'Queen Mary 2' .