Russell Harrison (broadcaster)
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for music. (May 2009) |
Russell Harrison | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Soul, Rnb, vocal, jazz/big band, traditional pop |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Unsigned |
| Website | Profile, former artist management |
Russell Harrison is a New Zealand television presenter, vocalist and musician, best known as presenter for the televised weekly Lotto draw.
Film and television career
Harrison has been the main presenter for the New Zealand Lotteries Lotto draw, broadcast weekly on TV2, since 2000.[1]
Other roles as TV host have included Arnott's Dreams Come True (Eyeworks Touchdown, TV3, 1999) and the Steinlager Rugby Awards (TV ONE, 1998).
Harrison also appeared in the TV2 game show, The Singing Bee as one of the lead singers.
His film debut came in 1999, when he played a minor (uncredited) role in Ian Mune's film What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.[2]
Music career
As a musician, Harrison is best known as a vocalist, in which he performs in a wide range of styles, most prominently soul and Rnb.
He first became widely known in New Zealand when joined the Howard Morrison Quartet in 1993. He later had a successful run on TV talent quest Showcase (TVNZ, TV ONE, 1998), reaching the semi-finals.[2]
He later formed a vocal quartet, Russell Harrison and the Brown Brothers, which has performed on primetime national television several times (Saturday Big Night In, TVNZ, TV ONE, 2001). Link
Harrison began his solo career in 2006, releasing the single Why You Wanna, with an accompanying promo video. Link
He has been a guest performer with Billy Washington's The Drifters (link) (one of the several splinter groups of the original doo-wop band which continue to tour today), Sir Howard Morrison, Rob Guest, Tina Cross, Jackie Clarke and Temuera Morrison.[2]
Community work
Harrison is involved in a variety of community work.
In 2009 Harrison participated in a celebrity boxing match fighting Tawera Nikau to assist youth to pursue their boxing careers.[3]
After the devastating Samoan tsunami in 2009, Harrison joined forces with Donna Grant[4] and assisted in the set up the Sir Howard Morrison Tsunami Relief Project[5]
Personal life
Harrison is the son of Huia and Slim Harrison and is the youngest of 12 brothers and sisters. Harrison married Nicolette Hulton in 2006. Together they have six children. Dylan, John, Twins; Maia and Tyra born to the couple in 2004 and step children Isaiah and Jalen.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Television New Zealand. "Russell Harrison – Lotto." <http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411307/452843> Television New Zealand. Television New Zealand. 2009. Accessed 2009-05-30
- ^ a b c Annette Johnson. "Russell Harrison." <http://www.ace-management.co.nz/artists/russell_harrison/> Ace Management. 2003. Accessed 2009-05-30
- ^ Martin, Matthew (3 August 2009).Rotorua Daily Post Celebrities box it out for good cause. [1]
- ^ Rotorua Daily Post
- ^ Sir Howard Morrison Tsunami Relief Project