Daily Inspiration: Meet Annie Burns

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Burns

Hi Annie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My parents have always said since I was born, I was singing. I was singing in the car, in the kitchen, even singing while standing on my dad’s feet as he spun me around the room. My dad has been a musician for his whole life, so he has a wonderful ear for music. At around the age of five, I was singing in the kitchen for my parents, wearing a grey dress with black polka dots, and my dad had turned to my mom as he was loading the dishwasher and told her that I had such good tone in my voice. My mom had shrugged it off, not thinking much of it since I was only five years old, but even at the age of five, he could tell that I had something special. As the years went on, and as my dad had expected from a young age, music was my everything. I had tried soccer, softball, volleyball, and basketball, but musical theater was what really clicked, and would become my passion for years to come. Throughout my life, I have been doing musical theater for 12 years now. Throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school, I was always seen on a stage. Beyond musical theater, I was always in lots of musical settings such as choirs or acapella groups. As my senior year of high school hit, I knew another big change was coming in my life soon, starting college. Music was my passion, everyone around me knew that, and I knew I wanted to continue it in college but at the time I didn’t want to study it. I decided to attend Belmont University, in Nashville, Tennessee, and I originally went in Undeclared. Once arriving at Belmont I quickly found the Music Therapy Program and I knew that this was the perfect way for me to continue my musical skills but using my passions to benefit the lives of others. Around the same time, I had joined the Belles Acapella group here at Belmont. Now being in the group for a year and a half, not only have I grown so much as a musician but I truly have found my best friends. My dad is in a rock band, called 4Cast, and for the past couple of years I had been joining them up on stage to sing a song or two at their gigs. This is the moment when I truly fell in love with live performing. I had focused on improving my guitar skills, and I had my first solo gig in my hometown before starting my sophomore year of college. Once I had this, my live performing opportunities took off. I was performing at a couple of places in Nashville along with places in my hometown whenever I could. I am constantly looking to book more places and reaching out to local coffee shops and bars since this is something I truly have such a desire to do. Every step I’ve taken, every voice lesson, every guitar class, every email sent asking to perform, every rehearsal, has all led me to where I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be where I am.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My mom has always told me since I was a little girl, “To learn how to ride a bike, you have to fall off.” This is something that has always stuck with me, especially being in the music industry. Live performance in general, never ends up perfect, and being someone who wants everything to be perfect, this is something that I really struggled with getting over. Learning from a young age that not every performance is going to go exactly how you want it really gave me a good outlook on life and that everything’s not going to go exactly how I thought but I still had an incredible performance afterwards. One obstacle I faced was at my first ever solo show in my hometown right before starting my sophomore year of college. I was so nervous, my hands were shaking, my heart was racing, and as I was setting up all my equipment, this random man had told me that the guitar was the easiest instrument to learn and it wasn’t really that impressive that I would be playing the guitar. This was a tough pill to swallow because I was already so nervous for my show, that him saying this to me definitely rattled me. I took some time to myself, I set up to begin, and after giving myself that time, I let his words be my fuel. I wanted to show him that even though the guitar is pretty easy to learn, my playing, my singing, and my way to entertain is what truly would set me apart from the rest.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a 19 year old cover artist, originally from Orland Park, IL, which is about 40 minutes out of Chicago! I currently reside in Nashville, Tennessee, in which I attend Belmont University and I am studying Music Therapy with an emphasis in Commercial Voice. My shows consist of me and my acoustic guitar with covers of country, pop, classics, and songs for all ages. You’ll hear Megan Moroney, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Noah Kahan, and so much more! Something I am beyond proud of, and something that truly sets me apart, is my passion for performing. Although I’ve been performing for close to 13 years, you will never see me with a bigger smile on my face than doing what I love. Getting to perform, and further my studies at a prestigious university such as Belmont, is the opportunity of a lifetime. I cannot wait to see what my future holds!

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Nothing means more to me than all the constant love and support I get from the people close to me each and every day. The support I have, truly keeps me going, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Looking out into a crowd as I am singing, and seeing my parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, family friends, old teachers, theater friends, coworkers, and the people who mean the most to me, there is no better feeling. I am always looking to collaborate with new people! My instagram @annieburnsmusic is the best place to get in touch with me. I am new to writing, but I am interested in cowriting, covering songs together, or performing together, always feel free to reach out!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annieburnsmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annie.burns.1401