The Burnett Sisters.
W
hen Kathleen Burnett is performing, she can’t help but feel this genuine sense of gratitude for being onstage, in front of a live audience she hopes to uplift with her music. “It’s definitely this feeling of being able to inspire,” Burnett said. “Sometimes after a show, we’ll have children come up to us and ask us about our instruments. And that’s the best feeling — when you can inspire a child to want to play music.” Kathleen is part of rising bluegrass act The Burnett Sisters Band & Colin Ray, which is based out of Watauga
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County. Aside from Kathleen (guitar), there’s also Anissa (fiddle), Sophia (bass) and Anneli (mandolin), alongside Ray (guitar) and Jason Alexander (banjo). “To be honest, it’s never really been difficult to be part of a band with your sisters,” Kathleen said. “We all know our place in the group and we all take suggestions from each other because we want to sound the best that we can. The family dynamic is that we love each other and want to help each other out.” A budding bluegrass star in his own right, Ray came into the fold of the band
a couple of years ago. After crossing paths with Kathleen while both were enrolled in East Tennessee State University, the couple soon started dating and were married just last year. “After Colin and I got married, we decided to merge our two groups,” Kathleen said. “And now, he’s become such a big part of the show.” “For me, it’s such a thrilling experience to play music and have that ability to potentially inspire another person,” Ray added. “My hope is that people come in feeling one way and they leave feeling better than they did when
BLUE RIDGE MUSIC TRAILS
