Russ Gordon with Los Alamos County Councilor Chris Chandler after the reading of the ‘Tribute to Russ Gordon’ Friday at the Summer Concert at Ashley Pond Park, which U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich placed in the Congressional Record. Chandler read the Tribute and presented Gordon with an official copy of the transcript, which he is holding. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comCOMMUNITY News:
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich placed a tribute to longtime local concert promoter Russ Gordon into the Congressional Record of the 115th Congress of the United States Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Heinrich had planned to be at Friday’s concert to personally present Gordon with a copy of the tribute, but when his flight was delayed, Los Alamos County Councilor Chris Chandler stepped in to present Gordon with the tribute.
Here is a transcription of the Tribute to Russ Gordon read Wednesday into the record on the floor of the U.S. Senate and Friday at Ashley Pond Park:
Mr. President, it is an honor to join the community of music lovers in New Mexico, to recognize Mr. Russell Gordon in his final year of presenting the Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series.
For 28 years, the concert series has been a pillar of the community in northern New Mexico, bringing together families, neighbors, and friends with local, national, and internationally renowned musicians.
In 1988, Russell and his wife, Deborah, moved to White Rock, N.M. where they started Gordon’s CDs, Tapes and Records.
Local musicians remember playing on the sidewalk outside of his shop when Russell began the series in 1990. Today the series is a much larger affair with hundreds gathering around the historic Ashley Pond and other venues in Los Alamos on Friday evenings to begin their weekend with art, culture and dance.
Russell Gordon’s passion for music shines through the variety of genres featured, including Spanish, Native American, big band, bluegrass, classical, country music, folk, gospel, rock, jazz and international acts. Russell has kept local New Mexican artists in his line-up over the years and helped grow and mentor the music scene throughout the State. He has inspired young musicians, expanded horizons, and has created countless memories for musicians and concert-goers in New Mexico.
As the ranking member on the Joint Economic Committee, I am proud to recognize the contributions of local small business owners like Russell and Deborah Gordon. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors and thank them for their contributions to the community.