Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter Debuts New Book & Performs in Peekskill

We are shedding a spotlight on award-winning songwriter Gary Burr, who has just launched his debut novel, Reunion. As a Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter, Gary has written hits for stars like Ringo Starr, Reba McEntire, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Logins, Richard Marx, Kenny Chesney and more, plus helping to launch the career of other artists like Faith Hill.

Reunion, a rock and roll fairy tale that reached #1 in New Releases on Amazon, imagines a Beatles reunion concert organized by Paul McCartney, blending nostalgia, humor, and heart. As Gary explains to me in our interview below, the story takes place in a "What If" scenario, imagining a world where John Lennon never got assassinated. Gary was able to put together this fictional tale after working with Beatle drummer Ringo Starr for about 20 years.

In addition to the novel, Gary shares insights on his journey as a songwriter, his work with music legends, and the enduring iNFLuence of The Beatles.

Listen to the Full Interview w/ Gary Burr Below 👇

Who is Gary Burr?

GARY BURR  is one of Nashville’s most accomplished songwriters with 32 top forty hits, 24 top tens, and 14 number-one songs. One of the rare breed who writes hits alone as well as co-writing, Gary is a favorite collaborator of writing icons such as Carole King, Richard Marx, Don Schlitz, Victoria Shaw, Kenny Loggins … even Ringo Starr!

His songs have been recorded by Christina Aguilera, Juice Newton, Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, Joe Cocker, Reba McEntire, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael Bolton, Randy Travis, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Kelly Clarkson, and many others. He’s been named Songwriter of the Year by Billboard and ASCAP, twice by the NSAI, and has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame.

Gary has been teaching songwriting courses to a new generation of musicians and was featured in the Poets and Prophets series by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  Over the years Gary has kept his joy of music alive by keeping his hand in as many musical adventures as he can… replacing Vince Gill as the lead singer in the seminal country-rock group Pure Prairie League; spent years writing and performing with pop legend Carole King; guitarist/vocalist for Ringo Starr in his band The Roundheads; is a member of the group Laurel Canyon Band (with Mark Mirando and Mark Hudson), and co-founded Blue Sky Riders (with Georgia Middleman and Kenny Loggins).

In the early 2000s, Gary was invited to work on a record with Ringo Starr, beginning a decades-long friendship that continues to this day. They have now recorded ten albums together. He has just written and produced a country single for Ringo that will be released in March of ‘24. His years of friendship and working alongside living legends like Ringo, Carole, Kenny, and many others have given him profound insights into what goes on in front of and behind the curtain. All of that helped inspire and bring life and authenticity to his first novel, Reunion.

Gary Burr to Perform in Peekskill, New York at the Paramount Theater

You can catch Gary Burr on stage at The Paramount Theater in Peekskill with the Laurel Canyon Band - A Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Laurel Canyon is an acoustic tribute to the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Prepare to be serenaded with iconic hits like “Teach Your Children,” “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” and “Ohio,” flawlessly recreated by the stellar lineup of Grammy Award-winning writer/producer Mark Hudson, Hall of Fame songwriter Gary Burr, and singer/songwriter Mark Mirando. From the soulful ballads of “Helplessly Hoping” to the anthemic “Woodstock,” immerse yourself in the timeless tunes that defined an era and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

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Celebrate the enduring legacy of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and the profound impact of their music on generations past, present, and future. From the iconic harmonies to the heartfelt lyrics, experience the essence of a musical movement that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Don’t miss your chance to relive the magic of Laurel Canyon with The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at Paramount Hudson Valley on September 13.