Michael K Burke and the Honkytonk Witchdoctors
We Got Twang If You Want It
If you need a truck-load of twang guitar with memorable lyrics, melodies and vocals,sizzling pedal steel,banjo, honkytonk piano,thumpin bass,butt kickin drummin and some dang good fiddle playin',then brothers and sisters you have come to the right place.
Michael K Burke is one of those lucky people that was raised in a household full of live music. His Dad played the guitar, the banjo and had a great voice. He grew up listening to all kinds of music performed by his father and all their hillbilly relatives.
It was great for him living in L.A. during the 1950's and 60's, being able to watch TV shows such as Town Hall Party and Home Town Jamboree, which was California's answer to the Grand Ole Opry. He grew up listening to artists such as Johnny Cash, Lefty Frizzel, Tennesee Ernie Ford, Wanda Jackson and of course the Collins Kids. He remembers how great it was seeing a young kid like Larry Collins jumping around, dancing, and playing a double-neck guitar. This really caught his attention.
Of course, when the 60's finally kicked in, artists such as Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jethro Tull, Merle Haggard, Joe South, Johnny Winters, and Roger Miller really widened his musical horizons; However it was a corny movie about Hank Williams that really got him thinking about who writes the songs, not just who sings them. His Dad showed him his first three chords on the guitar and almost immediately he began writing music. Around the age of 17, he had written quite a few songs and realized that it was something he had a knack for.
When he was finally old enough to go to the bars and hear live music, he was surprised to find that for a lot of the people the music was only background noise. To him it was the song, it was the singer, and he just didnt get it. As he was driving home one night, he made a solemn vow to never ever allow his music to be treated in such a way. (He now thinks that was a noble response but somewhat naive). So instead of pursuing a life of music, he gave all his time and energy to being a family man, working nine to five, mowing the lawn, and feeding the dog. But just like his Dad, when he got home from the job he would pull out his guitar and write another song. So here it is, 2008 and things are looking up for Michael And The Honkytonk Witchdoctors. Gonna make some Videos after the Holidays, been getting airplay and selling some CD's. There's been talk of a West Coast Tour,and they have been sayin their prayers and keeping their fingers crossed, hoping they will get to do more than just talking about it. The Warped Wagon Tour, coming to a town near you. Now wouldn't that be cool?
Country: Bakersfield Sound