By CANDACE MIERS

Contributing Editor

Cop gone country.

Officer Monty Russell of the Ruston City Police retired early from his law enforcement career to become a country singer.

"Monty's early retirement has given him a chance to focus on his music full time," Officer Natalie Taylor of the Ruston City Police, said.

Russell was eight years old the first time he had his taste of performing music.

"Your Cheating Heart" by Hank Williams was the song he performed all those years ago, and he has been hooked ever since.

In 1985 Russell put away the banjo for a badge when he became a police officer for the City of Ruston.

Russell did not perform on stage again for another 10 years.

Then in 1996, he picked up his passion for music again.

Music has lead him to Nashville, Tenn., a band of his own called "The Hardcore Troubadours," and eventually to a record label with new Nashville label Dog Pen Studios .

But Nashville was not paying the bills just yet.

Russell was working two jobs, policeman by day and singer by night, yet he still had time to raise three children and share his dreams of musical stardom with his wife, Nettie.

Those dreams of performing came true in a series of baby steps for Russell.

In 2001, the band performed at Rabb's Steakhouse, 2647 South Service Road W.

Cathi Cox, Russell's publicist, said the Troubadours became the "house band" of Rabb's.

While performing at Rabb's, Russell's sets of music were recorded live.

Those recordings, Cox said, allowed him to play with artists such as Little Feat, David Allan Coe, Robert Earl Keen, Ricky Staggs, Delbert McClinton, Confederate Railroad and many more entertainers.

While back in Ruston, after getting to play with famous singers, Russell started a show on Z107.5, Ruston's local country music station.

The show is called "The Monday Night Roadshow," which gives aspiring artists a chance to get one of their songs played on the radio.

"Monty Russell has given new country performers a chance to shine once a week, now it's his turn to shine," Taylor said.

"We [fellow officers] all wish him the very best of luck, as long as he remembers the little folks back home."

Last weekend Russell released his first album publicly, titled "The Fool Monty Russell."