Prescott, Arizona is known for many things: beautiful mountain scenery, a colorful history, and its reputation as “Everybody’s Hometown”. The one thing I didn’t know about Prescott until I moved here was how active and vibrant the local music scene is. Any night of the week you can find live music playing somewhere at one of the dozens of music venues or events around town. This is especially prevalent during Northern Arizona’s summer festival season.
Last week, I was welcomed into Granite Mountain Sounds studio where I had the opportunity to talk about music with Prescott’s newest up-and-coming musician, 29 year old Colton Burris. Coltin traces his Arizona family roots back five generations in Yavapai County. His great-great-grandmother arrived in Seligman back in the 1920s where she worked on the railroad as one of the Harvey Girls. His great-grandparents lived at the Diamond A Ranch (formerly the Boquillas) where his great-grandfather was a wagon boss, and his grandfather manages Deep Well Ranch in Prescott.
Colton grew up living the cowboy life. He worked with his grandfather at Deep Well Ranch from the age of 15 until about 23 years old when he decided to become a farrier and begin focusing on his music career. Burris sang every chance he got on the ranch. “While I was driving stays, I wished I was on stage.”
Colton was 21 years old when he began taking guitar lessons from The Cheektones guitarist, Drew Hall. On the night of his 23rd birthday he played his first gig at the Windsock with Travis Crowe and was hooked. He soon began playing a weekly residency at the Windsock and decided to go solo about 7-8 months ago when he signed with Mike DeSorda of Granite Mountain Studios.
His motto Bohemian at Heart, Outlaw in Spirit says a lot about Colton’s musical style. Influenced largely by the Laurel Canyon scene, he says his main inspirations are Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Turnpike Troubadours, and a little bit of the Gin Blossoms. This influence gives his original songs a fresh and distinctive Americana sound mixed with an upbeat early 1990s vibe. DeSorda describes him as an “old soul of music”.
A few weeks ago, Colton and his newly formed backup band Granite (Johnny Stonecipher, guitar; James Malek, drums; Cecil Lay, keyboard) began production on a music video for their new soon-to-be-hit song “Let ‘Em Roll”. Burris says the location of Olsen’s Grain in Chino Valley was part of his vision. “I wanted to have a Footloose kind of vibe,with the silos in the background, a party scene with everyone dancing, and the band playing in a truck bed.”
The music video, scheduled for release later this year, is only the beginning of Colton’s future plans. He is currently recording his first original songs album scheduled to release in 2027. “My ultimate goal is to play in sold out stadiums,” Burris says He continues to expand his musical talents by learning to play keyboard, and is also focused on acting in the future by taking lessons from Matt Conde. The only advice he gives to other musicians is that he wishes he had started on his dream sooner.
Whether you’re local to Northern Arizona or you’re planning your next escape to get out of the summer heat, Colton Burris and Granite are worth making the trip for. Catch them live this summer and be one of those who can say you were there from the beginning.
June 13 Flagstaff Folk Festival
June 26 Main St. Amped Up, Prescott Valley
June 27 Prescott Valley Summer Concert Festival
July 4 Fairweather Social Club, Precott
July 18 DA Ranch Winery in Cornville
Keep up with upcoming events for Colton Burris and Granite by visiting Granite Mountain Sounds and Following Colton on Facebook and Instagram.
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