Highways, Heartaches & Honky-Tonks (Bandera, 1997)

The Lone Star State has produced yet another multi-talented singer-songwriter. On his debut Burns, wrote 9 of the 12 songs and demonstrates he can come up with some killer hooks. You'd be hard pressed to find a better honky tonk title than "If You Don't Believe I Love You (Ask My Wife)."

There's the tribute song to many of Burns' heroes, "The Haunted Jukebox" paying homage to Ernest, Hank, Lefty and Townes), the title track shuffler and a nostalgic love song written for Mrs. Burns, "Lucy & Desi." The strong voiced Burns grew up in central Texas and the Waylon, Willie, Jerry Jeff influence is heard throughout. He avoided chasing his dreams in Nashville and correctly so, because Music City doesn't release anything this bonafide country-sounding anymore.

Well crafted material and excellent musicianship makes this a special CD, offering country fans an alternative to the pop ditties of Nashville. (E-Mail: bburns@cyberramp.net)