Jonny Burke

I walked into the The State Room in Salt Lake City Utah on February 24, 2010 before the doors were officially opened to get  some interior shots for the venue owner, as I approached the stage I met a smiling face and an outstretched hand. A young man was setting up his guitar and effects boxes, he looked up and saw me approaching and said”Hi, I’m Jonny Burke” . I shook his hand and introduced myself and then moved off to the wings of the stage and observed as he and his three piece band warmed up a bit and adjusted the PA system volume levels.

The venue continued to fill, it was a SOLD OUT show, I watched as this band minimalist three piece band from Austin Texas jammed through a great set of original music, with Jonny providing the vocals and guitar work. He reminded me of early Stones and I could even hear a bit of Dylan in there as well. Later we chatted about being on the road and I mentioned shooting another band from Austin, The Band of Heathens and Jonny said “Oh I’m friends with them, just talked with Colin, Gordy and Ed yesterday”, the small world syndrome struck again. Check out Jonny’s CD “The Long Haul EP” here. The song Ship Comes In features the Band of Heathens, yeah I would guess they are more than just casual friends.

Jonny Burke has had a big year in 2009. A debut solo release of The Long Haul EP, a four-month long tour opening for Ryan Bingham and James McMurtry across the nation, and a new outlook on life. “I’m in it for the long haul,” says Jonny. “That’s not just the name of the EP, that’s what I believe.” What does that mean? “It’s staying out of a headspace that’s gonna make you burn out quick. In your life and mine, it’s holding your head high during the hard times as well as the good.”

THE LONG HAUL EP… A collection of 5 songs with subject matter ranging from the dark to the desirable, melodies and arrangements akin to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Stones, tones inherited from T. Rex, poetic lyrics often compared to Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, and vocal performances that are all his own, it’s sure to make you move and groove with with your body and soul.

what people are saying about The Long Haul EP “Did Keith Richards become revitalized with one of his notorious blood transfusions, change his name, move to Texas, and release a below-the-radar mini-classic? Love the swagger!” Warren Catlett ("Cat") Radio Free Americana Number 3 on "The Lists: Top 5 EPs of 2009" -This Mornin’ I Am Born Again online

Influences

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, T. Rex, Townes Van Zandt, Roy Orbison, The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Howlin’ Wolf, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Tom Waits, The Small Faces, Gram Parsons

Jonny Burke – Lead Guitar and Vocals

Korey Cook – Drums

Ronnie Johnson, harmony vocals/bass

Upcoming Shows

Mar 12 2010 12:00A

Saxon Pub (after Joe Ely and The Trishas during sxsw film at midnite)
Austin, Texas

Mar 18 2010 8:00P

Continental Club Gallery- acoustic songswap with James McMurtry and Lee Barber (during sxsw music)
Austin, Texas

Mar 20 2010 9:00P

Threadgill’s w/ Leon Russell (during sxsw music)
Austin, Texas

Mar 25 2010 7:00P

Gruene Hall
New Braunfels, Texas

Mar 30 2010 8:00P

Mucky Duck-acoustic songswap with Lisa Morales and Sam Baker
Houston, Texas

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 8:30 pm. It is filed under Live music reviews, The State Room and tagged with Jonny Burke, Salt Lake City, The State Room. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.