Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine
Oct/Nov 2010
San Diego, CA Two
The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Blues….
By “Lucky” Marnie Ring
San Diego has summer concerts in almost every park. I went to hear the Burnsville Band at Kate Sessions Park on a hot sunny Sunday, and ended up on top of a mojntain with a spectacular view of Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
“Led by Steve Burns and his blazing guitar, the Burnsville Band really enjoys the rockin’ angle of the blues, but listen closely to Burns’s guitar licks and the stylish accompaniment of keyboardist Michael McGinty and you’ll hear blues at the core of this sound.” Said President of Blues Lovers United of San Diego Michael Kinsman. “It is that upbeat rockin’ blues that the band itself fancies and is always a crowd pleaser. It’s a band that wants to rip and snort its way to the hearts of the audience, which makes it so effective when the band strips down its sound and lets Burns’s slide or dobro work carry the song along. Those may be the best moments of this group.”
I first saw this band on my way out of House of Blues, after the BB King concert. Everyone filed by Burnsville Band. My friends stopped and we love watching as the rocked the house. Later, when I saw them at festivals, the really drew and held the crowds. Not only are they incredibly talented, they are genuine. Steve is as sweet as he is talented!
“The best way (for me) to describe Steve Burns is he’s blazin’ hot!” said huge supporter Diana Stoddard. “Steve will be strumming his guitar…he looks up and then closes his eyes. All of a sudden…the man and his guitar one? I can sense his inner self coming right out thru his guitar! Singing, playing guitar and doing the song, “Cut You Loose” on the band’s new CD…Yeah!”
“They jell together,” said long-time fan Dr. David Libs adding, “They play with the audience vs. to the audience, and they just seem to have a smile on their face all the time. They have a ball, every concert I’ve been to, and they talk to the audience, making everyone seem special. They are very humble and have incredible talent!”
Joe Bernal is the lead singer, Michael McGinty plays keyboards, Dave Seely is the bass player, Joseph Hager plays drums, and everyone’s sweetheart is Steve Burns on [lead] guitar.
You can’t help but like these guys, and their music you will love! www.burnsvilleband.com
