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B I O

SINGER/SONGWRITER JIM BURT BRINGS HIS MUSIC TO THE NORTHLANDS OF MINNESOTA

Jim was born in Minnesota.  But like many Midwesterners, Jim's family moved to Southern California in the late 1950's.  Jim's father abandoned the family, leaving Jim's mother to raise two very young children on her own.  Taking a job as a waitress, Jim's mother spent a lot of time away from her children.  When it was possible, Jim and his sister would be allowed to hang around the restaurant while their mother worked. It was there that Jim's love for music started.

The jukebox music of the 50's and 60's was Jim's first introduction to the great artists of early rock and roll and country.  When the American rock of the 60's and the "British Invasion" took over the airways, Jim's love for rock and roll grew.

Jim attended several schools growing up and held down a few jobs as an adult.  He spent 3 years in the Army, stationed in West Berlin, Germany in the early 1970's.  He graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1986 with a B.A. in Liberal Studies.

Jim's "day job" for almost 30 years was as a police officer in Southern California.  He worked assignments in patrol, motorcycles, under cover narcotics, and detectives handling murders, serious assaults, and sex crimes.  Jim's law enforcement experience gave him inspiration to write many of his songs.  He survived a shooting in 1989 when a bullet from a .357 magnum struck him in the stomach. He finally retired in August 2003.  

Jim's "quiet time" away from police work was spent with his music.  He finally got the opportunity to play in a couple of rock and roll bands in the early 1990's.  One band featured some of his songs.  Jim continued to write songs and started pitching them to publishers in the early 1990's.  He got single song publishing contracts for three of his songs:  Norma Jean Biker, Movin' On, and Walking.  These three songs would eventually wind up on recordings when Jim was a member of the trio, "Meritage."  Jim's song, Sweet Music made the compilation CD, "Raw Cuts" on Rodell Records in 1993.  Jim became a BMI affiliated songwriter and publisher (JIMZ Productions) in 1992.

Jim's last band, Meritage, was made up of three members. Their three different writing, singing, and guitar playing styles formed their unique sound.  Jim was a member of Meritage for five years until he moved to Minnesota.  Meritage played several coffee shops, clubs, and special events in the Ventura County, California area.  The group even opened for former Byrds bassist, Chris Hillman.

Jim is now on his own, performing his songs in the northland.  His first solo project: "Sweet Music", was released in January 2004.  It's a collection of 12 songs, including Norma Jean Biker, Movin'On, and Walking.  He has been busy playing at several venues in the northern lakes area.  He has been one of the opening musicians at the Woodtick Theater in Akeley, Minnesota.

Jim now runs his recording studio, LoonTick Records & Recording, where he records his own projects as well as projects by other artists.  His current project, "Another Direction", is now available at the iTunes Store and on Rhapsody.

M U S I C
 
 

listen or buy at Rhapsody buy at iTunes	ANOTHER DIRECTION Jim Burt 1.  Take Me Away 2.  Long Lost Friend 3.  Rat Race Blues 4.  I'll Sing To You 5.  Movin' On 6.  When the Light's Go Out 7.  Let the Song Grow 8.  She Looked Sixteen 9.  Norma Jean Biker
Sweet Music - $15 includes shipping For CD inquiries, send an e-mail to: You'll have to enter this e-mail address directly into your e-mail program as we  have kept the address out of our website  code to reduce the amount of spam.  Thanks for your help!	SWEET MUSIC  Jim Burt 1.  Sweet Music 2.  Eagle 3.  Ready for You 4.  Walking 5.  Don't Know What You See In Me 6.  Going Home 7.  I Wish 8.  Over the Wheel 9. Lone Gypsy Rider <>10. Movin' On  11. Diamond in the Rough 12. Norma Jean Biker

To book Jim Burt, e-mail Jim at

or call (218) 682-2459
 

P H O T O S
 

Jim Burt was the first Featured Performer at the Saturday Cafe Concert Series at the Common Grounds of Longville.  Here's a photo from that appearance on October 9th, 2004.	Coco Moon in Brainerd March 2005	The Cabin in Bemidji, MN June 23, 2006
Woodtick Theater in Akeley, MN July 12, 2006	Dunn Brothers in St. Paul, MN  August 25, 2006	with Sonja Florhaug at the Beltrami County Fair July 26, 2007
with Sonja Florhaug at the Beltrami County Fair July 26, 2007	Jim & Sonja Florhaug tape Center Stage for Channel 14 August 20, 2007	Jim & Sonja Florhaug tape Center Stage for Channel 14 August 20, 2007
Saturday Cafe Concert Series with Sonja Florhaug Longville, Minnesota October 20, 2007	Performing with Sonja Florhaug Kelliher, Minnesota December 6, 2007	Truckee Book & Bean Truckee, California August 19, 2008
Airplay Cafe Portland, Oregon August 12, 2008	Buffalo Gap Saloon (Attic) Portland, Oregon August 14, 2008	"Songs for the Winter Solstice" Hackensack, Minnesota December 22, 2008
"Three Way Concert" Evansville Art Center Evansville, Minnesota January 30, 2009	with Frank Prout Terrapin Station Nevis, Minnesota February 21, 2009	with Frank Prout Terrapin Station Nevis, Minnesota April 5, 2009
with Frank Prout Terrapin Station Nevis, Minnesota April 5, 2009	with Frank Prout Kelly's Cottage Garden Park Rapids, Minnesota April 24, 2009	with Frank Prout Kelly's Cottage Garden Park Rapids, Minnesota April 24, 2009

L I N K S

JIM BURT on MYSPACE  JIM BURT ON REVERB NATION

C O N T A C T  I N F O

or call (218) 682-2459