Creating music is not a means to an end, it is an end with a meaning for Aaron Burdett. Writing and creating songs is rooted somewhere deep in his psyche; it is something that can’t be denied and must be shared. His lyrics are soul-touching, intelligent, witty, and poetic all at once, while his music style is a seamless blend of Americana, country, blues, bluegrass, and folk-rock that cohesively creates a story.

“The more I listen,
the more I like this music.”
-Larry Stephens, The Lonesome Road Review

Aaron is listed as one of the top 10 most important musicians of western North Carolina by WNC Magazine, alongside such greats as Doc Watson, Steep Canyon Rangers, and The Avett Brothers. He has also received critical acclaim as a songwriter, winning Our State Magazine’s Carolina Songs competition in 2012 with “Going Home to Carolina”. Aaron’s song “Magpie'' won third place bluegrass song in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest in 2013 and Burdett took home the award at MerleFest in 2021 with his song “Rockefeller” (the 2020 contest was held over).

Over the years Aaron has been a finalist in numerous other songwriting competitions, including The Mountain Stage Songwriting Contest, The NC Songwriter’s Cooperative Songwriting Contest, and the Hank Williams Songwriting Contest.

“Among my favorite discoveries of the past few years is this talented, sweet-voiced singer/songwriter of North Carolina who melds country with modern sounds for some outstanding compositions.

Mr. Burdett remains the best up-and-coming artist you may not have heard of.”
-Eric Althoff, The Washington Times

Aaron’s writing is as prolific and genuine as the man. He grew up the oldest of three boys in the fairly isolated small town in Saluda, NC, where the Blue Ridge meets the Smoky Mountains. When Aaron was about 10 years old he was introduced to the music of Cat Stevens, the first of many musical influences that include the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Norman Blake, and David Grier.

During his teen years, Aaron found his tenor voice in a choral setting and performed in musical theater.

In 1992 he went to the prestigious Governor’s School of North Carolina for choral music. In his 20s, he played extensively in Boone, NC and owned a music store that sold instruments and offered lessons.

No stranger to hard work, Aaron’s sense of adventure took him across the country working on various types of farms and ranches. While many mainstream country singers pay lip-service to the blue-collar working world, Aaron’s songs come from his life experiences.

Albums
Dream Rich, Dirt Poor (2021 on Organic Records)
Refuge (2017 on Organic Records)
Tinderbox (2015 on Organic Records)
Fruits of My Labor (2014 on Organic Records)

Breathing Underwater (2012)
Stand Up Eight (2010)
Resolve (2008)
The Weight of Words (2005)

TWO #1 SONGS ON THE NATIONAL BLUEGRASS RADIO CHARTS

LATEST RELEASE, “DREAM RICH, DIRT POOR,” DEBUTED AT #8 ON BLUEGRASS Billboard CHART

last four albums have been voted one of the Top 20 Albums of the Year by WNCW radio listeners