R.I.P. Russ Rask-Steel Guitar World Magazine

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 30 Nov 2014 3:54 pm

Long time steel and guitar player in the Spokane, Washington music scene and publisher of the Steel Guitar World Magazine in the 1990's, passed away November 26, 2014 after a long battle with cancer.
A memorial service will be held this coming Sunday, December 7 at the Spokane Valley Eagles.
Anyone wishing to post condolence here, I will pass along to Russ' family.
Duane Becker

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 30 Nov 2014 4:01 pm

This is very sad news. Russ loved the steel guitar. Although I never met him in person, we spoke on the phone quite a bit back in the day when I was a staff writer for Russ' publication Steel Guitar World Magazine. Rest in Peace, Russ.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 30 Nov 2014 4:03 pm

Oh my, another sad day

We're losing a lot of friends.

Russ was a good pal who worked very hard at a very difficult task. Frankly, I think it broke him. I liked him very much and miss our conversations.

Because I was in the newspaper advertising business at the time, we talked at great length about the problems facing a small print publication at the time internet communication was starting to get really busy. And the problems are much greater nowadays. In only rare instances are dead trees (i.e. paper) in the niche market gonna make it. It's in the cloud, baby.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 30 Nov 2014 4:41 pm

I hate to hear this also. My impressions of the impact of the SGW events on Russ was the same as Herb's though I only observed it from a distance. He was a guy who loved the instrument and brought the community together, notwithstanding the difficulties it led to for him.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 30 Nov 2014 5:03 pm

I am so sorry to hear this...Russ brought a lot of us together via his publications. He did a lot for the steel community; we will miss him. Rest in Peace, sir.

Billy Easton

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 30 Nov 2014 5:06 pm

RIP Russ and thanks for dedicating yourself to the people interested in steel guitar.

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 30 Nov 2014 8:37 pm

Russ was a nice guy and contributed so much to steel guitar. I will miss you my friend.

billchav · Post by **billchav** » 30 Nov 2014 9:07 pm

RIP old friend.

Tom Palmer · Post by **Tom Palmer** » 30 Nov 2014 9:36 pm

Russ was always kind to me and supportive of my company from the beginning. He loved steel guitar and being around people of like mind. My he rest in peace.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 1 Dec 2014 1:41 am

Bummer. Russ was a good friend.

George Crowder · Post by **George Crowder** » 1 Dec 2014 3:32 am

My condolences to Russ' family.

His Steel Guitar World Magazine was a good publication. I subscribed to it and looked forward to each issue. I even bought copies of the back issues and still have all of them.

RIP Mr. Rask.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 1 Dec 2014 4:11 am

Sorry to hear this, Russ was a friend for many years... His Family are in my Prayers...

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 1 Dec 2014 6:11 am

Russ used to be a regular at the St Louis Conv, I spent many hours visiting with Russ, we both had some of the same close friends. He also made good coffee an was a good guy I will miss him.

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 1 Dec 2014 6:15 am

Sorry to hear of Russ' passing. He was always very nice to me. Gosh, another good one gone. RIP Russ.

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 1 Dec 2014 8:00 am

Sad news. Russ really loved the steel guitar and the players. His Steel Guitar World magazine was a labor of love, and I was glad to be a part of it.
Chuck

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 1 Dec 2014 9:41 am

Sad news indeed. I remember several conversations with Russ where he told me that he lost a lot of money with the magazine but still wanted to continue as long as he could afford it. He was really a dedicated lover and supporter of the steel guitar.

RIP, Russ

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 1 Dec 2014 11:26 am

Sad new men, I really enjoyed his mags and I could appreciate all the hard work that must have been, I'd imagine a lot of labour of love...One of my favourite quotes he wrote was; Tune your 'A's a tad flat...Great advice...Rest Easy Russ and thank's for what you shared.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 2 Dec 2014 5:15 am

Sad to hear this. Russ gave me my first professional print credits. He put his heart and soul into SGW Magazine but it sadly, became an albatross in his life, or so I understand. RIP, Russ.

Dennis Atkins · Post by **Dennis Atkins** » 5 Dec 2014 10:04 am

Sorry to hear of his passing. I met him a few times in St. Louis, and I still have many of his magazines. I go through them every once in a while for information that I might have missed. He was a gallant man for taking on the chore of creating a magazine in the early days of the internet. Having a printing background as well, I knew the difficulties in doing this type of publication. Out thoughts and prayers are with the Rusk family.

Dennis

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 5 Dec 2014 1:33 pm

Another sad passing. As so many have said, Russ truly loved and promoted steel guitar. I know the difficulties with the magazine took a whole lot out of him, but hope he knew, and his family will remember, that all those issues are out there circulating for a long, long time, and they will continue to bring joy and information to many players for a good while to come.

Joel Johnston · Post by **Joel Johnston** » 6 Dec 2014 2:10 pm

Played a lot of music with Russ over the years as I know you did too, Duane. Great lead picker and a big hearted human being. Dad and I are planning to be there tomorrow at the Eagles, Duane. Spoke to Lee Lessig and he will be there too.

Robbie Bossert · Post by **Robbie Bossert** » 30 Dec 2014 9:13 am

Russ was the founder of Steel Guitar World Magazine as we all know. It was because of him that I was able to meet so many of my heroes throughout the years. Most of which are no longer with us. Thanks also to the late, great Maurice Anderson for introducing me to Russ. I wrote for the magazine from beginning to the end. I loved every second of it.....RIP Russ. I'm sure you're picking' with the greats now...

Robbie Bossert

Steven Cummings · Post by **Steven Cummings** » 2 Jan 2015 3:42 pm

Yep, real nice guy.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 3 Jan 2015 10:43 am

JERRY THURMOND wrote:Russ used to be a regular at the St Louis Conv, I spent many hours visiting with Russ, we both had some of the same close friends. He also made good coffee an was a good guy I will miss him.

Yes, I'll always remember the free coffee Russ offered at his booth at the ISGC - a real thoughtful move.

I only met him in person once but he was kind enough to publish my stories and I can only echo what's been said already: a good man, devoted to the steel, devoted to his magazine, come hell or high water.

The Steel Guitar Forum

R.I.P. Russ Rask-Steel Guitar World Magazine

R.I.P. Russ Rask-Steel Guitar World Magazine

Very sad news

Russ Rash - Steel Guitar World Magazine

Sad News. RIP Russ