Jason Burke CD Release Party

Virginia born singer-songwriter Jason Burke calls Charlottesville, VA home.  A recovering AM & FM radio DJ, Jason spent many hours combing the music libraries of oldies & alternative radio stations.  It would be this near-academic pursuit of the “back stories” in professional music that would lead him down the singer-songwriter path. 

Jason developed his style throughout the 1990’s, finding his voice and a roots rock/alt. country approach to his songs.  As a regular at the Wednesday night Open Mic at Clarendon’s IOTA Café, Jason honed his guitar-harmonica combination into a powerful presentation.  IOTA became a home away from home and a place to study the many songwriters and touring acts that came to town.

It would not be until 2010, however, that Jason became serious about songwriting.  After meeting a host of amazing musicians in Charlottesville, VA at The Local Restaurant’s Monday Songwriter Night, Jason dedicated himself to refining his stage craft and learning how to write songs.  After one particularly great night of performances, he had the idea: “What can I do to better showcase the talented people I am meeting?”

It is from this moment in February 2012 that The Six Pack Songwriter Series was born.  A local music showcase that features six different songwriters in one night, the project is now approaching its third anniversary.  It is a celebration of some of the great song craft going on in Central Virginia.  More information is available at www.sixpacksongs.com.

At the same time, Jason’s live work and steady attendance at Songwriter night yielded new songs.  Inspired, he went to Virginia Arts Recording studio and quickly recorded his 4-song EP, Just a County Down.  Great fun was had working with VA Arts and the accompanists on the record, guitarist Rick Olivarez and bassist Michael Clem. 

Live performance offered new challenges, too, with Jason finding himself as the opener for larger shows (Michael Clem, Charlie Mars), playing the renowned Paramount Theater (Six Pack Allstars) and doing some festival work (Misty Mountain Music Festival).  At the same time, other opportunities presented Jason the opportunity to keep working on craft and developing relationships with other artists.  It is this work as an “MC” that led to developing other songwriter shows: Corks & Chords at Mountfair Vineyards (2013), Pickin’ on the Patio at Threepenny Café (2014-2015), and Live & Local at Starr Hill (2015). 

These little victories set the ball rolling for Jason’s first full length CD, Burning Daylight.  Recorded in Scottsville, VA at Ravensworth Studios with Butch Taylor (Dave Matthews Band, Robert Jospe Express), the record reflects Jason’s diverse writing and listening habits.  It is “rock and roll with some country and soul.”  Chock full of both great performers and performances, Burning Daylight is set to release in December 2015.  For more information, please visit www.jasonburkemusic.com.