“You can take the song however you want, but this song is about fishing.” — Austin Burke on his new song, “Wet Dream”
Phoenix native Austin Burke’s musical career began at three, when he sang the national anthem. At 19, Burke left behind dreams of playing baseball to pursue a career in country music in Nashville.
He spent four years waiting tables, writing songs and saving enough money to record his debut single, “Sleepin’ Around.” The song led to a contract and the opportunity to open for numerous high-profile artists. The song “Whole Lot in Love” catapulted him to Spotify stardom.
Dreamt of becoming a “singing baseball player.”
Meeting Garth Brooks at a San Diego Padres spring training game. “I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, singing at rodeos and all around the desert, wherever I could play a show. The Parada del Sol was the first place I sang in Arizona, and at three years old, I sang the national anthem.
Then it became this story; there is this three-year-old that can sing. I began singing for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Coyotes. Rosie O’Donnell caught on and wanted me to come on her show.” What was it like to perform on O’Donnell’s show?
It was such a great experience. You don’t remember much from childhood especially because I was only 4 the first time I was on Rosie, however, I remember everything about being on the show. Specifically eating so many mini M&Ms that I fell asleep and they had to wake me up and rush me on stage. The second time I was on I was 7 and she gave me a guitar. It was that moment that sparked my love for guitar and wanting to learn how to play.
Whiskey Jam. “When I moved to Nashville, I had so many songs. I think most people can relate, but I had all these songs only to be told they sucked. It’s important to remember it is a process. No matter who you are writing with, it’s fun. I believe it’s important to push yourself in a write. Don’t be afraid to say something different or be different.” Can you describe what it felt like the first time you took the stage at Whiskey Jam, your first Music City show?
Whiskey Jam for me was one of my biggest accomplishments in Nashville. When you move to Nashville you go to Whiskey Jam to network and make new friends, and hope one day to play on that stage. When Ward asks you to play it’s sort of an acceptance into town. I’m so grateful for the community that Whiskey Jam has created in Nashville and I’m blessed to be a part of it.
Publishing deal with Home Team Publishing, a partnership Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Virginia Bunetta, and Roc Nation. “Since I signed my publishing deal, I started writing every day. I wrote as much as I could to get all the songs together I wanted to have, and I feel like I have found my sound and the direction I want to take my music.” How do you stay inspired to write every day?
Some days are more inspiring than others, but I definitely try to write what I’m feeling at the moment. I think it’s important to be true to my feelings and no genre does that better in my opinion than Country music. My biggest inspiration is my wife and so many of my songs are about her. She’s definitely my better half.
The Ryman. “I got to play The Ryman is some ways because of golf. I played in Vince Gill’s golf tournament at the Golf Club of Tennessee, and he forgot to have me play at that event. Vince called me to invite me to play with him at The Ryman. It was me, Vince, and Reba.”
To the Grand Ole Opry stage. “Playing the Ryman was a great experience, and the only thing that tops it was playing the Opry last year. Vince Gill called to tell me they wanted me to play. It solidified my place in country music. It truly was a special moment.”
What venues are on your dream list to headline?
The top of my list venues are Ak-Chin in Arizona and North Island Credit Union Amphitheater in San Diego. Growing up in both places, I went to so many shows at those venues and imagined myself on those stages. I think everyone wants to headline the biggest venue in their hometown.
TikTok series “Not Even Dad Jokes.” Lexy joined the social media platform community to help get Tori, a Steak N Shake worker, a new van, a 4-year warranty and first year of insurance covered. How do you see the platform growing in the future to continue to help others?
Lexy is an Angel. Her heart for others has been shown to the world through TikTok. I think the possibilities are endless for her and what she will do for others. She is the most selfless person I know. She has changed so many lives and I know she will change so many more.
“Desert Child,” “This was the first song in the new direction. I wanted to write a song being from Arizona and the West coast and pay tribute to some West coast towns.”
“I Grew Up,” “This was a song that was throwing shade on an ex.”
To “Young Love,” the first song you’ve released that you weren’t the writer or co-writer, was co-written by Thomas Rhett, Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell, and Brandon Day. What drew you to the song?
Thomas Rhett sent me this song and said he thought it would be great for me. I had just gotten married and was in a “Young Love” and I just loved the song. To get a song from writers with as many hits as they have is just unheard of for a young artist like myself.
“Town Home,” more than a million streams on Spotify — where you have 662,000 monthly listeners.
Playing Stoneys in Las Vegas.
Recently writing “Wet Dream” with Zack Dyer and Joe Fox and posting a clip of your grandma’s reaction to the song on TikTok. 21 million views later you released the song. What do you think clicked with fans to make your post go viral?
I have learned that people just want to have fun. “Wet Dream” was written as a joke but it has grown into something I never imagined. You can take the song however you want, but this song is about fishing.