The Russell Resonators: Why We Play Series

Sam Russell has memories of his dad on stage at company holiday parties.

Not speeches. Not presentations. Music.

Jim Russell would step away from the jobsite and pick up his guitar. In front of employees. In front of clients. In the same room where business happened all year long. It was a side of leadership most people didn't see. A reminder that the people running companies are still people. That creativity and business aren't opposites. That there's room for both.

Now Sam's carrying that forward. Third year at Battle of the Businesses. Third year bringing Russell Construction to the Redstone Room stage. Not for publicity. Not for recognition.

For the mission.

"Battle of the Businesses is a unique event to show the other side of professional leaders in the community that you wouldn't otherwise get to see," Sam says. "You don't know that Jim Russell plays guitar, but it's a huge part of his life."

And now Sam is stepping into that kind of leadership, too.

Why Russell Construction Keeps Showing Up

Sam sits on the board of Common Chord. He's not just a participant in Battle of the Businesses—he's a builder of the system that makes it possible.

"Growing up, music was a huge part of my upbringing," he says. "Piano lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons. That helped develop me as a person and as a creative individual. I see the value that music brings to the community."

He's watched Common Chord evolve. From River Music Experience to a fully rebranded mission: More music. More community.

"It's been fun to work with Tyson to reshape the organization," Sam says. "To really hone in on the mission. To pivot from 'Are we just a music venue? Are we just a space for youth music education?' to something more—to bring something of greater value to the community."

That pivot matters. Because it's not just about concerts. It's about access. Infrastructure. The kind of investment that shapes a region.

And Sam sees it firsthand. He's a Quad Cities native. Born and raised. He knows how the music scene grew from Bix to the River Roots movement to what it is today.

"Culturally, that adds a lot of value to the Quad Cities compared to other Midwestern communities of a similar size," he says. "The river. The music history. It's a differentiator."

What Access Really Looks Like

Sam had access. His parents made sure of it. Lessons. Instruments. The freedom to explore creativity alongside math and business.

"Music provides an opportunity for a business mind—maybe a math or engineering-oriented mind—to also have a creative side," he says. "To have a way to express that or feed that personal desire."

But not every kid gets that. And that's the gap Common Chord is closing.

"It's very fulfilling to know that this is an organization that's providing that to the masses," Sam says. "To know what it did for me and my life, my upbringing, the memories I have growing up—to provide that to anyone who otherwise wouldn't have it is one of the most fulfilling things about being involved in the organization."

That fulfillment isn't abstract. It's measurable.

Every kid who picks up an instrument at Common Chord. Every lesson taught. Every moment of confidence built through music. That's the return. And it scales.

But it doesn't happen on its own.

It happens because The Cultural Trust invests in Common Chord as a Legacy Partner—providing unrestricted funding so they can focus on mission, not just survival. 

And it happens because businesses like Russell Construction step up year after year and say: This is worth it.

The Equation That Works

Here's what Sam understands: culture is infrastructure.

It's not a bonus. It's not a luxury. It's the thing that makes communities work. That attracts people. That keeps them here. That gives their kids a reason to stay connected.

Battle of the Businesses proves it. Nine companies. One stage.

Hundreds of people in the audience. Thousands of dollars raised.

All flowing directly into programs that create access for the next generation.

"When Common Chord came up with the idea to do this, I think it was a no-brainer for us to participate," Sam says. "To help raise funds for the cause. To do our best."

And, it's working. Third year in. Russell Construction keeps showing up. Sam's dad still plays guitar. And the next generation—the kids learning music at Common Chord right now—they're getting the same foundation Sam had.

Access. Opportunity. Identity through creativity.

That's the system The Cultural Trust is building.

Unrestricted funding flows to Legacy Partners like Common Chord.

Common Chord removes barriers and scales programs.

And businesses participate as builders, not just donors.

This Is Why We Play

Sam's stepping on stage again this year. Not because he has to. Because he believes in what it creates.

His dad played guitar at holiday parties. Now Sam's playing for a cause that ensures the next generation doesn't have to wonder if they'll get access to music.

They will. Because the system is built to provide it.

Individual investment becomes systemic access.

This is why The Cultural Trust champions businesses that champion culture. This is why we fund the work that scales.

This is why we play — because Culture Matters Here, and it always will.

Battle of the Businesses | April 11 | Redstone Room | Tickets: https://www.commonchordqc.org/event/botb26/