Burnett Family Bluegrass Band

Rachel Burnett - fiddle * Ryan Burnett - banjo, fiddle, mandolin * Jessie Burnett - mandolin, fiddle, guitar * Connie Burnett - stand-up bass * Brian Burnett - guitar, mandolin

Contact:

• Brian or Connie Burnett
• 6960 Columbine Blvd
• Flagstaff AZ 86004
• 928-526-3522
• e-mail: bburnettfamily@aol.com
• Website

It was the summer of 1993, in the mountains of Northern Arizona, when Burnett Family Bluegrass was born. The band is made up of family members Brian, (dad) on guitar and mandolin, Connie (mom) stand-up bass, Rachel (19) on fiddle, Jessie (16) on mandolin, fiddle and guitar, and Ryan (15) banjo, fiddle and mandolin. (Oldest daughter, Lyndsay, ran away from the musician's life in 2002 to become a nurse.)

1993 was the year they got their first job playing music for the wagon rides at Hitchin' Post Stables in Flagstaff. Ryan was four then and Jessie was five. Lyndsay (10) and Rachel (8) had already played fiddle for 5 years. The band played music for the "wannabe" cowboys 4 to 5 times a week thru the summer. This went on for five years. In addition to this, the family also played at churches, county fairs, tv shows and special occasions thru-out the state of Arizona. They spent the years nurturing their sound with outstanding vocal blends and intricate instrumental talents that are usually expected from a much older band.

The kids were born and home-schooled in the country home thier parents built on land several miles outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. They grew up with a team of Percheron draft horses that they rode like ponies and lived the simple country life in the high desert. Their wholesome, down-home style of music blends with their energy, enthusiasm and excitement to give a good toe-tappin' to any foot. This music world is starting to notice this special, musical family.
Burnett Family Bluegrass produced their first two CD's. "When He Cometh", a gospel CD, was released in December of 2000. "West of Yesterday" with five original tunes, was released in the summer of 2002.

The band's newest recording, "Bend The Wind" is being released in February 2005. Dennis Caplinger, a name well known in music circles for producing the early years of Nickel Creek, produced this exceptional collection of tunes. The title track, "Bend The Wind" was written by Connie and Ryan Burnett. This CD is hard driving bluegrass with hot picking and those wonderful melodic harmonies that are unique to family bands. Rachel sings with the emotion and understanding of an artist well beyond her 19 years on tunes like "Train Train", "Sweet Love Ain't Around" and "Early Morning Rain". Bend The Wind magnifies the musical talents and character of Burnett Family Bluegrass.

As an incredible acknowledgement of their hard work, Burnett Family Bluegrass won the 2004 Telluride Band competition. Burnett Family has the distinction of being the ONLY family band to win this coveted title in the 32 years of the Telluride Festival. Ryan Burnett is the youngest banjo contestant, at 14, to win the band competition. The band has also won two first place ribbons at the 2003 Four Corners States Bluegrass festival.

Brian has had his own, small, trucking company for over 20 years. His childhood experience of owning and driving a team of horses, let him to own a draft horse team of Percheron's named Duke and Kate. Brian's love for Bluegrss is what the band was built around. He played mandolin for a few years in high school and college. Then, he switched to the guitar full-time when the family band got it's start. Brian plays guitar with a tasteful lead and solid rhythm that gives the band it's strength. His warm rich voice supplies lead and harmony vocals that define the sound of Burnett Family Bluegrass.

A veteran homeschooler of sixteen years, Connie earned a Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications. She spent a few years behind the microphone as a 70's FM Rock and Roll deejay. Connie started playing the bass in 1993 when the band first got it's start. Her solid beat is the platform the band stands on.

Rachel was 2 years old when she started singing in church beside her older sister, Lyndsay. She began playing the fiddle at age 3 and soon showed a promising talent and feel for the instrument that made the distinct Burnett sound come alive. Her expression-filled singing and poerful voice blend together to make Rachel an essential part of the band. A standing ovaction following her yodeling always brings down the house. Rachel won first place in the advanced fiddle competition at the Julien, California Bluegrass Festival, 2003. She helped her family win blue ribbons for Family Bands and Bluegrass Bands competitions at the Four Corners Bluegrass Festival, 2003.

Jessie joined her sisters on stage in church at age 3 and began her musical education on the fiddle soon after that. Her interest in the mandolin exploded when her father encouraged her to try playing his old Gibson. She's been playing for 6 years which led to her winning first place in the advanced mandolin competition in Julien, CA, in 2003. Her clear, vocal tones and rich harmonies blend to give that special Bluegrass feeling to the mix. Her breaks and accompaniment suggest a serious mandolin student beyond her years.

Ryan found his place on stage with the band when he was three. He started on the fiddle, like his sisters. by the time he was 4, he was working at Hitchin' Post Stables on the dinner rides with his family. He decided he liked the banjo better when he borrowed the one his sister was learning. He's self-taught and has been playing the banjo for about 5 years. He requested and recieved three separate lessons from Bela Fleck, who said, "I have enjoyed watching Ryan's banjo playing evolve. He is very intent on mastering the instrument and making brisk progress." At 14, Ryan was the youngest banjo player to win the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Ryan adds an essential element to the Burnett Bluegrass sound. His solid lead and tasteful back-up changed the group from a fiddle band to a real Bluegrass Band.

Discography: Song list shown using I.E.4+     When He Cometh ©2000 West of Yesterday ©2002 Bend the Wind ©2005 CBMS 2005 A Collection of Songs from 'Bands on Call' III ©2005

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