Artist Profile: Julia Burton

West Virginia University graduate and former Miss West Virginia Julia Burton will be returning to the state this fall for the release of her upcoming album "Woman from the Country."

Burton has decided to release her debut album first in West Virginia with an accompanying tour around the state performing concerts and visiting radio. "Woman from the Country" was originally to be released in June but has been pushed back to fall.

The exact release date has not yet been announced.

Getting started and giving back to the community

Born in Nashville, Tenn., Burton and her mother moved to Petersburg, W.Va., when Burton was 8 years old.

Though having grown up in a single parent household that struggled financially, Burton considers it to be the catalyst of her aspirations to become a performer.

"I had all the advantages of a child growing up in a big city," Burton said, pointing to her involvement in music and theater from an early age.

Burton began the pageant circuit in high school when she began competing for the Miss America organization scholarships.

"Momma and I made a deal that I would go to college before going to Nashville to start my music career," Burton said.

In addition to competing in pageants, Burton started to work at age 16 at Wal-Mart and as a general laborer on the state road to save for college.

Burton graduated from the West Virginia University Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism in 2005 with a PR degree and more importantly, Burton said, an education in life experiences.

Beginning her college career at Summit Hall on Grant Street, Burton said her time at WVU was an amazing experience.

"I learned a lot in my courses and classes, but I learned more just living in Morgantown," Burton said. "I was on my own, making choices between right and wrong and learning lessons that I'll carry with me forever."

"WVU has been very good to me," Burton said, and she continues to stay involved with the University, with appearances and community service work.

"I did something called Knocks for the Needy in 2003, where the fraternities and sororities of WVU got involved – the whole community got involved – in Morgantown to collect over 1,000 cans of food," Burton said. She was also recently involved in the fight to keep the Morgantown Boys and Girls Club open, raising $25,000 which was matched by the West Virginia state legislature.

"I'd like to come back for a football game while Nashville is shut down for the season," she said, and there are talks with WVU about future appearances at Mountaineer Idol and a possible performance at a game, according to Burton's PR people.

When Burton won the Miss West Virginia contest in 2004, the prize money allowed her to pay back her college loans and the publicity gave her something of a leg up in the music industry.

After graduating, Burton moved straight to Nashville and into a little apartment to begin her career.

Getting started at the world famous music hall Tootsies Orchid Lounge, where she played for nine months, Burton said she discovered her "honky tonk wings" and found her niche as an artist.

"Lyrically, this first album really represents where I am in my life right now and where I am in my career," Burton said.

Burton topped out at No. 36 on the MusicRow chart and No. 44 on the R&R Indicator chart with her debut single, "What a Woman Wants." Her follow up single "Party Down" shipped to radio Aug. 17.

In addition to extensive traveling around the country to do radio spots and small concerts, Burton performed at Jamboree in the Hills this year and has opened for nationally recognized artists such as Jo Dee Messina in Charleston, W.Va. last year.

The traveling is exhausting, Burton said, but worth it.

"Music is a roller-coaster ride," she said. "There are ups and downs everyday, but I believe in what I'm doing. God has a place for me."

Her advice to WVU students also hoping to make it big is to believe in a goal.

"Hard work and perseverance are two things, two tools, that will help you become successful no matter what you're doing," Burton said. "Always try to do some one thing everyday toward your goal. Don't let anyone's pessimism get in your way. Dream big."

 

Dealing with fame and tips to be successful

When Burton won the Miss West Virginia contest in 2004, the prize money allowed her to pay back her college loans and the publicity gave her something of a leg up in the music industry.

After graduating, Burton moved straight to Nashville and into a little apartment to begin her career.

Getting started at the world famous music hall Tootsies, where she played for 9 months, Burton said she discovered her "honky tonk wings" and found her niche as an artist.

"Lyrically, this first album really represents where I am in my life right now and where I am in my career," Burton said.

Burton topped out at #36 on the Music Row chart and #44 on the R&R Indicator chart with her debut single, "What a Woman Wants." Her follow up single "Party Down" shipped to radio August 17.

In addition to extensive traveling around the country to do radio spots and small concerts, Burton performed at Jamboree in the Hills this year and has opened for nationally recognized artists such as Jo Dee Messina in Charleston last year.

The traveling is exhausting, Burton said, but worth it.

"Music is a rollercoaster ride," she said. "There are ups and downs everyday, but I believe in what I'm doing. God has a place for me."

Her advice to WVU students also hoping to make it big is to believe in a goal.

"Hard work and perseverance are two things, two tools, that will help you become successful no matter what you're doing," Burton said. "Always try to do some one thing everyday towards your goal. Don't let anyone's pessimism get in your way. Dream big."