Ky Burt kicks off noon concert series July 1
Summer in Bellingham has begun once again, which means the sun is out, the air is crisp and warm, and the Summer Noon Concert Series are also fast approaching.
Following the tradition, the Performing Arts Center Plaza on Western Washington University’s campus will be filled with a variety of music genres by artists from noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday from July 1 through July 29.
First up taking the stage on July 1 will be nationally touring musician and songwriter Ky Burt, the Arizona Daily Sun's 2014 Break-Out Artist of the Year for Music.
The 33-year-old from Colorado will be playing a genre of original New Americana, Folk Blues and Indie music.
Burt was raised in the oak forests of the Midwest, where he started playing music as a teenager. Burt says he first got into playing the acoustic guitar after picking up his older sister’s guitar in her bedroom after she left for college.
Aside from being a talented musician, Burt also said that he holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and a master’s degree in hydrology water management.
However, six months ago Burt left his career as an educator and naturalist regarding environmental and community issues to focus full-time on his music career.
“Music has been my calling, and I decided it was the right time to go for it,” Burt said.
Since then, Burt and side musician Melanie Jean Williams have been on tour playing in Seattle, Bothell and Newberg, Ore.
Jean Williams will also accompany Burt onstage at the Summer Noon Concert at 草榴社区.
Aside from touring, Burt said he has been raising money for a new Kickstarter campaign called , in which he performs at nonprofit homeless shelters, retirement centers and community centers.
One of Burt’s well-received songs, “A Song of May,” is a song attendees can expect to hear performed. The song has not been recorded yet, but Burt is in the process of making a new solo album.
The songwriter will have a five-song EP for sale at his Summer Noon Concert performance.
“We are excited to have gotten great feedback from our listeners so far this tour and we are excited to come to Bellingham because our friends have told us how great it is,” Burt said.