I like Natalie Cole. She's a fine singer, and deserves all the accolades and success she gets. It's tough being the artist offspring of a great artist. I was sorry to hear that she had Hepatitis C, even if she did contract it through drug abuse. I was sorry to hear that the treatment for Hepatitis C apparently wrecked her kidneys, and that she needed a transplant.

And my heart went out to her when she went on "Larry King Live" to ask for an organ donor. It was amazing to see King instantly hand her a bunch of e-mails from viewers who wanted to be tested for a possible match.

I found it even more amazing that the family of a deceased fan, soon after the "King" appearance, asked that their loved one's kidney be given to Cole. This took place last May with apparent success, and in the nick of time, as Natalie's was running out.

Just like Joe Russell's.

Who?

Now, Joe Russell is a singer with a much longer history than Natalie Cole. He's performed for far more people than she has, or possibly ever will, and he has one distinction that Natalie will never have: he's had to work as a butcher when gigs were slow.

"Oh, yeah, baby, I'm still doing the butcher job. I went to school for it a long time ago," said Joe.

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ANYONE WISHING TO HELP "SWEET JOE" RUSSELL SHOULD IMMEDIATELY EMAIL: rip@riprense.com with contact information, which will be promptly passed along to Joe.