Aaron Burdett’s “Honeybees”: A Philosophical Flight on Bluegrass Wings
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Following the contemplative depth of “Paris,” singer-songwriter Aaron Burdett returns with “Honeybees,” a vibrant bluegrass tune that buzzes with philosophical inquiry. This isn’t just a catchy melody; it’s a profound exploration of fate and serendipity, all wrapped in a deceptively simple, yet insistently moving, musical package.
The inspiration for “Honeybees” sprung from a casual conversation in the summer of 2024. Burdett recalls his friend Bob, a beekeeper, remarking on the appearance of “two honeybees on my sleeve.” This seemingly small observation sparked a larger thought in Burdett: “It got me thinking about the ambiguity of any given moment in time. Anything could have brought them there and they could be going on in any number of directions after. I like taking note of noteworthy moments, and any moment can be noteworthy if I look at it in just the right way.”
A Distinctive Musical Approach
“Honeybees” is unmistakably vintage Burdett. It marries a philosophical meditation with the grounded, familiar sounds of bluegrass. What truly sets the song apart is its distinctive construction. While the choruses are easily recognizable, each one carries a different lyric, subtly advancing the narrative and deepening the song’s reflective quality.
Burdett is joined by an impressive lineup of musicians, ensuring that the song’s musicality is as rich as its lyrical content. Kristin Scott Benson, an award-winning banjoist, provides intricate and driving lines. Carley Arrowood adds soulful fiddle work, while ace mandolinist Tristan Scroggins (known for his work with Missy Raines & Alleghany) contributes masterful fills. The rhythm section is anchored by bassist and producer Jon Weisberger, and harmony vocals are provided by the stellar duo of Wendy Hickman and Travis Book (Infamous Stringdusters). This collective virtuosity serves to underscore Burdett’s finely crafted meditation on those “noteworthy moments” rather than overshadow them. The band’s tightness ensures the track moves along insistently, carrying the listener through Burdett’s poignant observations:
Was it planned or chance that you’re here with me Will you move on together or fly off separately Delicate and fragile, that we’re crossing paths And it’s more than coincidence to me
Let’s revel in the sunshine and beauty of the day We are all old tomorrow, we were young yesterday What fortune brought together we can hold to our hearts It’s time we spend together and memory when we part
Bluegrass as a Vehicle for Depth
Like his previous acclaimed tracks “Paris” and “Second Best,” “Honeybees” offers compelling proof that in the right hands, the apparent simplicity of bluegrass can be a powerful vehicle for conveying messages of complexity and depth. Aaron Burdett’s lyrics are a rare combination of being soul-touching, intelligent, witty, and poetic all at once. His musical style is a seamless and authentic blend of Americana, country, blues, bluegrass, and folk, reflecting his diverse influences.
Burdett’s talent has not gone unnoticed. WNC Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 10 most important musicians of western North Carolina, placing him alongside revered artists like Doc Watson, Steep Canyon Rangers, and The Avett Brothers. His songwriting prowess has also garnered critical acclaim, most recently with his win in the bluegrass category of the Chris Austin Songwriting contest at MerleFest for his song “Rockefeller.” His latest album, “Dream Rich, Dirt Poor” (2021), debuted at #8 on the Billboard bluegrass charts and has spawned four top 10 radio songs to date.
A Journey of Influences and Achievements
Burdett’s songwriting accolades extend further. In 2018, he took home the grand prize in the folk category of the USA Songwriting Contest with “A Couple Broken Windows.” He was also the winner of Our State Magazine’s Carolina Songs Competition in 2012 with “Going Home to Carolina,” and his song “Magpie” secured third place in the bluegrass category at the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest in 2013. Over the years, Burdett has been a finalist in numerous other prestigious songwriting competitions, including The Mountain Stage Songwriting Contest, The NC Songwriter’s Cooperative Songwriting Contest, and the Hank Williams Songwriting Contest.
Aaron Burdett’s musical journey began in childhood, exploring the vinyl records in his parents’ living room in the North Carolina mountains. He discovered iconic artists like John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, The Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, The Beatles, The Band, and Rickie Lee Jones. As a budding guitarist and songwriter, he was drawn to powerful communicators such as David Wilcox, Tracy Chapman, and John Gorka. His late teens brought the discovery of John Prine on a cassette tape found on a Wyoming ranch, and on the same trip, he rediscovered the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in a second-hand store in Riverton, Wyoming.
In his twenties, a pivotal moment arrived when he heard Doc Watson play in the living room of an old farmhouse near Boone, North Carolina. This experience opened his ears to a new world of bluegrass and roots music, leading him to discover Norman Blake, Tony Rice, David Grier, Tim O’Brien, Darrell Scott, and Gillian Welch.
Mixing all these diverse influences, adding the alchemy of time and pressure, seven full-album releases, and thousands of live performances, culminates in Aaron Burdett: the thoughtful songwriter and compelling artist audiences hear today. Drawing heavily on both the rich traditions of Appalachian folk music and the craft of nationally known songwriters, Aaron’s music gives voice to the small rural areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains while resonating deeply with working men and women throughout the country. “Honeybees” is a testament to this unique blend, offering a moment of shared contemplation on the unexpected beauty of life’s fleeting encounters.