August 22, 2025
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED IRISH BLUEGRASS ARTIST DANNY BURNS RELEASES NINE-TRACK ALBUM ‘SOUTHERN SKY’ VIA BONFIRE RECORDING CO. TODAY
FEATURING VINCE GILL, RICKY SKAGGS, SAM BUSH & MORE
ALBUM RELEASE SHOW HELD AT CHIEF’S ON BROADWAY
Above: ‘Southern Sky’ Album Artwork
NASHVILLE, TN (August 22, 2025) — Critically acclaimed Irish-born bluegrass artist Danny Burns unveils his new album Southern Sky, out today via Bonfire Recording Co. Mixed and mastered by Luke Wooten at Station West in Nashville, Southern Sky features a multitude of musical titans — Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, Ricky Skaggs, and Sam Bush to name a few — all contributing to the exceptional sound that Burns strives for.
STREAM SOUTHERN SKY HERE.
“I try to bring in as many talented folks into the studios as possible,” Burns says. “I hope the fans enjoy the journey of these songs and all the sounds and people it takes to make these songs come to life — it takes a village.” That village comes to life across the nine-track journey, where Burns’ Irish roots fuse with Southern soul, driven by dobros, fiddles, and rich storytelling that soar with Appalachian tradition and Southern warmth. Inspired by the textures of the South, Burns likens the spirit of the album to Allen Toussaint’s “Southern Nights,” where Appalachian tales intertwine with the deep twang of the South.
Southern Sky made an immediate impact, led by the breakout success of its lead single, “Blue Ridge Blue” (released February 12), penned by hit songwriter Jim Beavers and featuring bluegrass legends Sam Bush and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes. The track soared to #1 on both the Bluegrass Today and Grassicana charts and became a favorite on SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction, brought to life by Ethan Burkhardt (upright bass), Billy Contreras (fiddle), Justin Moses (dobro), Matt Menefee (banjo), Cody Kilby (guitars), and Jerry Roe (drums). With widespread airplay and chart-topping momentum, “Blue Ridge Blue” marks the most successful bluegrass single of Danny Burns’ career.
WATCH THE “BLUE RIDGE BLUE” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:
The album’s sophomore single, “Brother Wind” (released May 16), written by Tim O’Brien and featuring Dan Tyminski, continued the momentum, capturing the attention of The Bluegrass Situation and climbing to #1 on the Bluegrass Today chart and #6 on Grassicana. Backed by Tyminski (vocals), Burkhardt (upright bass), Contreras (fiddle), Menefee (banjo & mandolin), Kilby (guitars), and Roe (drums), the track fuses masterful musicianship with timeless bluegrass storytelling, cementing Southern Sky’s status as a standout release.
WATCH THE “BROTHER WIND” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:
Most recently, Danny Burns released “Keep Your Distance” (July 23), featuring Tim O’Brien, a song originally written and recorded by Richard Thompson. Premiering worldwide on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country, the track showcases the album’s versatility with a roots and folk-inspired acoustic sound. Burns and O’Brien are also joined by Burkhardt (upright bass), Billy Contreras (fiddle & strings), Justin Moses (dobro), Matt Menefee (banjo & mandolin), Cody Kilby (guitars), and Jerry Roe (drums), creating a dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Watch the “Keep Your Distance” music video here.
SOUTHERN SKY TRACKLISTING:
“Blue Ridge Blue” (feat. Sam Bush & Bronwyn Keith-Hynes)
“Brother Wind” (feat. Dan Tyminski)
“Who You Know” (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Mike Rogers)
“Lips on Fire” (feat. Cecelia Castleman)
“Keep Your Distance” (feat. Tim O’Brien)
“Good Things Happen” (feat. Vince Gill)
“Does My Ring Burn Your Finger” (feat. Sam Bush)
“The Love You Bring” (feat. Dan Tyminski)
“Southern Sky” (feat. Tim O’Brien)
EARLY PRAISE FOR SOUTHERN SKY:
“The new single [‘Brother Wind’] from Irish bluegrass performer Danny Burns is simply gorgeous… a superbly arranged re-imagining of Tim O’Brien’s much-loved folk anthem… the flourishes of fiddle are magical, its sweeping, graceful notes soaring and tumbling like a bird in flight, gliding on currents of wind.”
— Andrew Frolish, Americana UK, June 4, 2025
“He [Danny Burns] possesses a robust baritone and a deft songwriter’s eye and ear for emotional detail that lends itself well to his unique blend of Celtic, folk, country and bluegrass music.”
— Bob Allen, Bluegrass Unlimited, July 1, 2025
“Together they turn in a track [‘Keep Your Distance’] perfectly emblematic of Danny’s style, which combines elements of his Irish upbringing in Celtic folk music, with more contemporary influences from bluegrass and roots grooves.”
— John Lawless, Bluegrass Today, August 4, 2025
Above: Danny Burns; Credit: Jim Wright
Born and raised in Donegal, Ireland, Danny Burns blends bluegrass, country, Celtic, and folk, touring the U.S. for two decades as a traveling folk singer sharing the stories and traditions of his homeland. With a cinematic approach to songwriting, he transforms vivid tales into heartfelt melodies, drawing inspiration from the Irish countryside to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Burns’ 2019 debut album, North Country, earned acclaim from Rolling Stone, CMT, American Songwriter, Billboard, and No Depression, marking the start of his tradition of collaborating with top-tier talent like Dan Tyminski, Tim O’Brien, and Critter Fuqua. Supported by legendary musicians, Burns continues to create music that resonates across cultures.
DANNY BURNS ONLINE:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | WEBSITE
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