Singer/songwriter Graham Russell of the popular '80s rock band Air Supply does all his work from a home nestled in the Wasatch mountains.

Russell and his wife of 20 years, actress Jodi Russell, live in a three-story house on 1,120 acres, complete with recording studio and wildlife preserve.

"I write everything here, so it's great for that. I get a lot of ideas on the road and when I come back, I push enter and they all come out," he said during a three-week break from his latest tour.

Russell, 56, does about 150 shows a year all over the world. But the English-born vocalist and guitarist calls Park City, or Woodland, Summit County, to be exact, home.

The Russells discovered the area during a lull between shows in Las Vegas in March 1990. Never having explored Utah, they rented a car and drove north.

"We just fell in love with the scenery," he said, describing how he enjoys the mountains, animals and sunsets.

They called a Heber City real estate agent out of the phone book and met him at the Wagon Wheel Cafe, which Russell described as "quite a novelty for us." He showed them 30 to 40 houses that day. They ended up buying the first one they looked at as a vacation home along with 120 acres. After fire destroyed their house in Malibu in 1993, it became their full-time residence.

"We just like the space and the freedom," Russell said.

So much that they subsequently bought 1,000 more acres, which remains a greenbelt area. It's not uncommon for elk to be walking through the yard.

"I think mankind needs to be close to nature in order to fulfill his destiny," Russell said.

The rural lifestyle fits well with Russell's approach to writing songs like Air Supply megahits "All Out of Love," "Every Woman in the World" and "Lost in Love," which he penned in 15 minutes.

"My philosophy is to keep it as simple as possible. All my songs are very simple, but they have a lot of passion in them, I am told," he said.

Russell continues to write songs and record music in his home as the urge strikes him. He has a solo album due out next February. He also will be pitching a rock opera to investors in New York that he hopes to debut in England next spring.

"We do love it here," he said, adding the only thing missing from Park City is an Indian restaurant.

The Russells figure to stay in Woodland for quite a while given the time, money and sweat they've poured into their house the past 16 years. "I don't think we could buy this place anywhere else," he said.

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