By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography
Monroe, GA (April 25th, 2020) – When you get a phone call asking if you had the chance to attend a private live show during this Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 what do you do?…you get in the car and drive 2:30hrs down to Monroe, Ga. That’s where the party was to be had at Jennifer and Daniel Roberson’s home. With a birthday celebration and a special intimate acoustic performance by the legendary Billy Don Burns the night was sure to be one for the books.
Guests started arriving around 5pm where you could find a group gathered around the outdoor fire pit. Socializing with some cold drinks and conversation spirits were high in anticipation for the evenings event. Rolling in shortly after came Billy and his crew to join the fun. Originally show time was scheduled for 7:30pm but it was hard to pull away from listening to the stories Burns was giving as he talked of times past.
Finally it was time for the music to begin. An actual live show with a real audience. The only one of it’s kind that we know of in the last 6wks. Facebook was flooded with comments upon finding out about the invitation only ticketed event. Some admitting jealousy they couldn’t be there and others speaking out against it. One person even offered to pay for the show not to happen. However, staying true to who he is Billy Don Burns was keeping it outlaw tonight. Opening sets were provided by Jay Baird along with Daniel and Christian Roberson as well.
With his trademark attire (red bandanna, leather chaps and biker jacket) BDB took to the mic along with his old and worn Gibson acoustic joined by his accompaniment Jeff to what would be over an hour set. Real true country music in an intimate setting. Providing background info on the songs as he played through each one. Picking through some of his favorites and taking requests Billy entertained not only with music but provided some good laughs as well.
“Graveyard In Montgomery,” “Graham Parsons, Hank Williams & Me,” “Gaylor Creek Church” and “Stranger” were some of the stand out songs of the night it you were forced to pick out any. Closing out the set everyone returned to the fire pit thinking that the show was done. Billy soon returned to the mic though after a cigarette and a few shots of Jack Daniels to play again for nearly another 40mins. As BDB came to an end things turned in to a bit of a jam session for awhile before the night finally settled down.
There’s a lot of artists out there who portray themselves as outlaw but it’s just a gimmick. There’s no doubt that Billy Don Burns is the real thing. He’s done it all right there with the biggest names in the business and continues to do it his way. Against the rules and ways of mainstream he has held an active career for 50yrs and counting. In a time when no one is supposed to play a live show he jumped at the chance to do so.
Keep your eyes and ears open for Billy’s new album to drop later this year. Also, be sure to look up the soon to be released album “Destination Unkkown” from T.J. Hernandez that will feature the song “Desperate Men” written by Billy Don Burns. May have heard a sneak peek of this and it sounds pretty damn good.
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Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography
Billy Don Burns
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