For many years Brian Burns has been regarded as one of Texas’ top performing songwriters. His work has been covered by a number of legendary artists. In recent years, Brian has become one of his state's most powerful and engaging performers. He performs about 300 shows a year including solo performances and songwriter shows with some of the country's top performing singer/songwriters.

Tim:    How and when did you get your start in the music business?

Brian:    Actually, I'm still working on that.
 

Tim:    Who are some of the well known artists you have worked with?

Brian:    Willie Nelson, Johnny Bush, Gary P. Nunn, Keith Whitley, The Doobie Brothers... I've pretty much been all over the board.
 

Tim:    How did you discover Jude's music?

Brian:    I was driving home from a gig in Dallas one night and I heard a song called "Take The Reins".  I was really getting into the song, then I got pulled over by a state trooper.  Actually, I've been a bit pissed at Jude ever since.
 

Tim:    What prompted you to cover the song Madison?

Brian:    "Madison" is one of the coolest songs I've ever heard, and I just overestimated my vocal abilities, I guess.  ;-)

 
Tim:    Do you know if Jude has heard your version?

Brian:    I don't know if Jude has heard my version (which PALES in comparison to his), but I can assure you that I have turned a lot of people on to his stuff. The quintessential question is always: "Where can I buy Jude's music?" ... And my answer is always, "Well, you can't, as far as I know." I don't know, man, Jude's songs transcend genres and kick everybody's ass at some level, and I just wish I could tell people where to go to buy his CDs.

I grew up on Marty Robbins and Merle Haggard, but I am a huge Jude Cole Fan - this guy's work crosses every imaginable boundary, but with no pretense; no matter where you are on the map, it's just good stuff... There's just no way I can imagine anyone hearing Jude's work and not saying, "this guy's a fucking genius."
 

Tim:    As a professional songwriter, what do you see so appealing about Jude's
music?

Brian:    Are you serious?
 

Tim:    I'm sure you've heard all of Jude's music. What do you consider to be his best album?

Brian:    It's a cross between "I Don't Know Why I Act This Way" and "Jude Cole Sings Like Hell".  ;-)

 
Tim:    If you had to choose only three, what Jude songs would you choose?

Brian:    "Falling Home", "Take The Reins", and "Okie From Muskogee".
 

Tim:    Would you consider covering another Jude tune? If so, what would you choose?

Brian:    I plan to cover Jude's tunes until he decides to sue me.  I guess the next one would be, maybe, "Worlds Apart".  I don't know, hell, I'm usually drunk when I go into the studio, and I don't know what's on my CDs until I read the reviews.
 

Tim:    Brian thanks for taking the time from your busy schedule to share your story with us.

Brian:    Tim, thank you for taking the time to help get the word out about one of America's truly great singer/songwriters - I wish more people knew about Jude Cole.