Born and raised in Martinsville, VA, Andy has been playing music for most of his life. His obsession began at a very young age while watching Elvis movies with his mom. After seeing “the King” do his thing on TV, Andy decided that he wanted to do THAT!
He began to dabble with guitar and drums when his cousin started taking lessons at a local music store. Andy would go over to her house and beg her to show him what she had learned at her lessons. After learning a few things, he begged his parents for an electric guitar of his own so he could begin pursuing his rockstar dreams. His father came home one day with an old Washburn acoustic guitar, and told Andy if he learned to play that, he would buy him an electric guitar. So that’s exactly what he did!
Andy was a “self taught” musician until joining band in 6th grade. That decision would change his life forever. He started playing the trumpet, but ultimately ended up pulling double duty between percussion and baritone throughout the remainder of his school career. He was an active member of all ensembles offered, (marching band, jazz band, concert band, indoor drumline, and even winter guard) with a heavy focus on the marching side of things. To this day, Andy is still heavily involved in the marching arts, serving as Percussion Director at Bassett High School in Bassett, VA; and Drumline Director at High Point University in High Point, NC. He has served as a consultant, arranger, and clinician for numerous schools and programs in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Shortly after high school, Andy met Roanoke musician, Jeremy Price, and joined Jeremy’s group “Plastic Musik” in 2003. In 2006, the group landed a 9 week residency at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL. In 2008, the group relocated to Las Vegas and became the number one booked act on the college circuit in 2009, toured the country extensively, performed numerous NBA halftime shows, toured Mexico, performed at the 2008 European All- Star Game in Paris, and made several appearances on local and national TV.
While living in Las Vegas with the “Plastic Musik” crew, Andy began cutting his Rock n’ Roll teeth in a band called “One Loud Secret.” The band was a power-pop quartet consisting of Jeremy Price on guitar, Leilani Dibble on vocals, Dave Mcgraw on drums, and Andy playing bass. The band enjoyed some success on the Vegas circuit, but more importantly taught Andy how to be a member of a hard working, constantly evolving, rock band.
After moving back to Martinsville in 2011, Andy began looking for ways to make money that still allowed him to do what he loves. He began playing solo acoustic shows at local bars, which eventually led to the formation of the Andy Burnette Trio. Today the trio is a staple in the local music scene, consistently performing over 125 shows a year. Andy continues to do solo shows, and occasionally can be scene with his duo partner, Jake Earles, as the “Andy & Jake Show.”
Andy currently resides in Fieldale, VA with his fiancé, Ashley Perkins, his 9 year old daughter Amelia, and his dog Jackson.
