John Burnette

New album is in mixing, so be on the lookout for upcoming singles coming soon. In the meantime, you can check out other releases on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc or add to the tip jar: @johnburnettemusic on Paypal and Venmo

Bio

John Burnette is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer whose roots trace back to the folk-rich hills of Mountain View, Arkansas. Raised in a town dubbed the “Folk Music Capital of the World,” John began performing on stage before he could drive, cutting his teeth at regional festivals and touring professionally in his teens.
After earning a full scholarship to the University of Arkansas, he pursued a degree in jazz guitar and composition—playing alongside icons like Clark Terry, Bob Dorough, and Pharoah Sanders, while moonlighting with indie bands and singer-songwriters. His deep musical fluency spans folk, soul, jazz, rock, alternative, and Americana, all of which inform his distinctive sound: intimate, unhurried, and emotionally resonant.
A planned doctorate at the University of New Orleans was put on hold after a family tragedy. The pause became a redirection when, during a visit home, an impromptu writing circle with folk legend John Prine encouraged him to pursue songwriting.
Since then, John has released two independent albums: a self-titled debut (2016) and Parlor One (2019), both praised by the indie press. His work has been described as “a cross between a sultry JJ Cale and a whimsical Jack Johnson” (Rock City Life), with Rock the Pigeon calling “N.Y.C. Babe” a “folk masterpiece.” His track “Pale and Blue” was featured on Vinyl Moon’s Rebirth compilation.
As a sideman, Burnette has performed with Nashville standouts like Matt Stell, Cody Belew, Kristen Kelly, and Charlotte Leigh, co-produced the full-length Show Me Home by Townsend, and composed for film and television. He has completed tracking on a full-length solo album slated for late 2025, balancing his work as a session player, producer, and songwriter.