Life is short. You know this, but do you really think about it and appreciate life every day like you should? Some can answer yes, but for most of us the answer is no. It is sad how sheltered we are in our own little worlds, and how easily we get distracted by trivial things in our lives that really don't mean crap. They don't mean anything when you think about just being alive and what a gift that is. The truth is…we really don't have time to be worrying about trivial things because…life is short.

So what does that have to do with music or Burnett Jones?

Keep reading and I will tell you.

This thing we have created called "Burnett Jones" is nothing short of spectacular. When I say "we" I mean everyone that has been a part of Burnett Jones from the beginning… everyone in the band… everyone that has supported the band… and everyone that has been to a show, forgotten all about their troubles for one night and partied together like there was no tomorrow.

So we have all created something really spectacular. It is hard to describe and it is more than just music-- we have created something with great excitement and energy. We have created Burnett Jones…and Burnett Jones is about doing something we all want to do. Not because we have to, but because we want to and it makes people happy.

Anyone who knows me, Chad or Dionne knows that we are not serious about much-but we are serious about this. Life is short, and that is why we work so hard to play music.

How did we get to this place?

Well we have not always been in this "place" that seems to make so much sense now. For many years Chad Jones, Dionne Burnett (my sister) and I just talked about starting a band. We talked about it but never did anything about it. We were always too busy to do anything about it. Starting a band was just a BS dream that would likely really never work out because we were all distracted by trivial things that didn't really mean anything. Well, that is what we thought.

As those years passed, we realized when people close to you die or get sick; the reality of "life is short" really sets in. The blanket is pulled away and for a moment you realize how easy it can all go away. So we decided to start doing things that we wanted to do…and quit worrying about trivial things. We now spend as much time as we can with our families, and we talk about how lucky we are every day. We quit talking about it and started doing it.

What about Wade Burnett?

When my wife Rusti was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31 the reality of "life is short" really hit me. At that time we had 2yr old twins, and we were not sure if she was going to die?! This is not a place anyone wants to be. While I tried not to show it on the outside, it was the most afraid I have been in my entire life. Today Rusti is a breast cancer survivor…a strong survivor, and she is in the best health of her life. She works full time, takes care of 4 kids (3 + me) and appreciates life every day. Oh yeah, and she let's me play music! Needless to say we are very thankful for the time we have been given with each other.

What about Chad Jones?

An Austin native, Chad left everything he had in Dallas and moved back home with just the clothes on his back. Why? Because Chad had decided life was short and he was going to do what made him happy. He wanted to be close to his family in Austin and play music. So that is what he started doing. Now we are picking together at some of the coolest honky tonks around- places where we used to only stand in the crowd and listen.

What about Dionne Burnett?

Since 1991 she has been the best theatre arts teacher Texas schools will ever have-she recently received the award of "Teacher of the year 2006" at Lake Travis Middle School in Austin! She puts everything she has into school and the kids and loves every minute-but after losing everything she owned (including one of our best friends Kevin Hielscher) to a tornado, she very clearly understands the fact that "life is short". So now Dionne takes a little extra time for her self and does what she wants to do. She writes music, plays bass and sings because that makes her happy.

What about the band?

Burnett Jones would not be here today without the friendship and guidance of Roy, Mark and John. These guys are not only some of our best friends, they are at the top of their game in the music world. Roy Glaze is one of the most experienced and talented steel players you will ever see…he can really make it sing. Mark Ramsey is a fantastic performer and musician (who loves to teach music in his spare time) and plays too darn many instruments to list-but we are extremely lucky to have him playing keyboards with us. And John Ramsey is one of the most experienced and hottest drummers you will find. (Sometimes when we cannot find John, his brother Mark will play drums and keys at the same time...yes really!) These guys are the best and we are so happy to be playing with them.

So if you ask me who is Burnett Jones I will tell you this:

Burnett Jones is a fun loving honky tonk machine that cranks out good times and good music-leaving nothing behind but a wake of empties and bar owners saying, "what the hell was that?...and how soon can Burnett Jones come back?" Just come to a show and check it out for your self.

And it may sound funny, but it happened just like we used to talk about. It is a big ass party everywhere we go. "We" are all doing something we love, and living life…today.

So what is next for Burnett Jones?

Well…we wanted to record a CD so that is what we did. We got off our rear and did it because we knew if we just kept talking about it that it would never happen. We put together a list of songs and laid down some tracks with the help of Tommy Detamore at Cherry ridge Studio in Floresville TX. Tommy (musical genius and master of the studio universe) really helped us to pull it all together, and we are very excited to release it March 31st 2007…but keep reading because this is not about a CD.

Our Mission

A few months ago a very close friend of ours Rexanna Hawkins was diagnosed with lung cancer after never smoking a cigarette in her life. Rexanna was not so lucky with her battle, and died just a few weeks later. Rexanna was one of the greatest teachers and coaches Texas education will ever have, and in just a few words she was nothing short of spectacular. Rexanna was bigger than life itself and was a huge part of Burnett Jones. We miss her…a lot. And so do a lot of people. She made a difference in so many lives, and her death is a tremendous loss. Rexanna will never be forgotten because she was such a dynamic person, friend, teacher, coach and she affected so many people in a good way.

Rexanna was so dynamic and strong willed that the doctors at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were very much affected by her too. They were so moved by Rexanna and her supporters that they worked in collaboratin to start a foundation in her name. It is an independent foundation (like the Susan G. Komen foundation is for breast cancer) and they are working hard to keep it going. It is officially called "Rexanna's Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer".

Burnett Jones is going to help, so we are donating proceeds from our first CD "Twist Off" to the foundation.

The message we want to send to everyone is this:

Life is short. Quit worrying about trivial things, get off your rear and do something that makes you happy. If you can't think of anything then join us… and everyone who is a part of Burnett Jones will show you how it is done.

See you at a show.