Brian Burns

Brian Burns has, for many years, been regarded as one of Texas’ top performing songwriters, his work having been covered by artists such as Gary P. Nunn, Johnny Bush, Tommy Alverson, Mike Hearne & South By Southwest, and The Geezinslaw Brothers.  But over the past couple of years, Brian has begun to emerge as a powerful and engaging performer.  His songs explore both the poignant and the humorous sides of humanity, drawing out the things we’ve all felt and wish we could have said.  The warmth, wit, and eclecticism of his performances captivate audiences night after night.

Brian grew up in Central Texas listening to the western ballads of Marty Robbins and the “progressive country” music of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.  Early on, he developed an appreciation for musical depth, along with a knack for “the story”.  As his passion for music grew, he began to explore a variety of styles ranging from pop to reggae.  At age 16, Brian hit the road on a musical journey that would eventually find him sharing stages with some of America’s top performers: Willie Nelson, Keith Whitley, B.W. Stevenson, Steve Wariner, Eddy Raven, and many more.

Brian’s Texas roots remained an integral force in his life and work.  After his first million-or-so miles of rough road and half-a-lifetime of impressive musical accomplishments - yet not much to show for it, Brian planted those roots firmly back in Lone Star soil.  “Music’s not a choice I made, I believe the choice made me,” declared Brian in the title cut of his debut solo album, “Highways, Heartaches, and Honky-Tonks”, a 1997 work which summarized his musical mission up to that point.  His second album, 1999’s “Angels & Outlaws”, produced the venomous, yet hilarious Texan anthem, “Welcome To Texas (Now Don’t Forget To Go Back Home)” which dominated FM heavy rotation lists in the nation’s largest country music markets for many months.  But “Angels & Outlaws” also met critical acclaim and enlightened a discriminating listening audience to a more intellectual and introspective side of Brian Burns.

These days more and more people are discovering an artist who, for several years, was considered one of Texas’ best-kept secrets.  The Terry Awards, a long-standing institution recognizing excellence and accomplishment in Texas music, recently presented Brian the “Top Solo Artist of 2000” award.  RockzillaWorld, a popular and growing international electronic community dedicated to Texas Music, voted Brian “Texas Artist of The Year” for the past two consecutive years.  Brian performs an average of 250 shows a year including solo performances and songwriter shows with artists such as Tom Russell, Gary P. Nunn, Chuck Pyle, Larry Joe Taylor, and many others. 

Brian’s latest album release, “The Eagle & The Snake: Songs of The Texians”, has achieved unprecedented success; the album’s first single, “I’ve Been Everywhere (In Texas)” has spread like wildfire throughout Texas and has charted nationally on R&R (Radio & Records).  “The Eagle & The Snake: Songs Of The Texians” is an epic collection of classic, contemporary, and original ballads - Brian’s tribute to the great Western balladeers.  “The illustrious history of Texas is tightly intertwined with that of Mexico, and these songs portray the struggles, both personal and historic, of the Texians, Tejanos, and Texans.  The songs are chronologically sequenced from the early 1800s to the remote 22nd century, ending in a bit of speculative sci-fi-folk-country,” says Brian of the project.

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