biography
Julia Burton, a striking six foot beauty, is slumped over in a hotel room following a performance to a crowd of nearly 10,000 in Charleston, West Virginia. Feet throbbing and still wet with sweat, she is unable to hold back a smile as she reflects on the show. Burton’s feet are feeling the repercussions of her perpetual onstage antics, but she knows it is all in the price you pay to do what you love: entertain country music fans. Nashville born and West Virginia raised, Burton is a rising star in the country music scene. She’s armed with an arsenal of energy, and pumps it into every lyric and every step she takes on stage. Burton was described by The Branson Daily News as “a voice that is part Faith Hill, part Gretchen Wilson and a little something extra.” Her drive to entertain is an innate attribute. Burton remembers her childhood, “I would sit at my toy piano and say ‘daddy come listen to me sing my song’ -it was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Burton continues, “and then Momma would catch me on top of the coffee table with a candlestick in my hand belting out Hank Williams, Jr,’s, "All My Rowdy Friends". It’s all I've ever thought about and dreamed.”
Her musical influences center around country and rock greats. “As a kid, I remember riding in the car on the way to school singing along with The Judds, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.” It wasn’t long before she was drawn into the powerful tunes of Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom Petty, and Bonnie Raitt. “There’s one musical influence that will never change… I’m a huge Elvis fan,” comments Burton. Beginning at the age of eight, Burton entered various competitions, winning her first one with a performance of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”. From that point forward, Burton never stopped singing. She joined her high school choir and would sing every chance she got at church, local fairs and festivals, and even the glass stage at the Miss America competition. In addition to performing throughout high school and college, Burton held positions at Wal-Mart and as a general laborer for the West Virginia Department of Highways. Burton’s tireless dedication and passion for children opened the door for her to be a National Spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In 2004, Burton’s state and national volunteerism, cover girl looks, and vocal talents gained her the title of Miss West Virginia; during this time, she attended West Virginia University where she obtained a degree in Public Relations. Burton’s move to Nashville allowed her to grow as an artist and develop her honky-tonk wings in the backroom of The World Famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. For eight months she performed three nights a week for four hours to a rowdy country crowd. “Performing at Tootsie’s gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of people who love country music. Wow, what an amazing place, what great fans. It’s an experience that I will remember for a lifetime,” reflects Burton. Little did Burton know, Tootsie’s would become the catalyst for a chain of career-changing events. Burton’s team of well-seasoned music business professionals began to take shape during one of her nightly performances; she was introduced to an instant fan who was also a radio promotion professional. Burton has since shared the stage with Kool and the Gang, Wynonna, The Commodores, and Jo Dee Messina. Burton’s growing fan base has played a vital role in her career, “The fans have been my inspiration through the whole whirlwind experience. They have embraced me and been very supportive. I’m ready for them to take this next musical journey with me.” Feet still aching but full of spunk, Burton is ready to begin the next leg of her remarkable journey as she heads back to Nashville to work on her debut album scheduled for a June 2009 release on Emerald River Records. The first single, “What a Woman Wants” is a fiery, upbeat anthem that is slated to impact radio in January 2009.
