Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Burke.
Hi Haley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Haley Burke. I’m a guitarist, singer, and songwriter from Kansas City, and while my music is rooted in the blues, I pull a lot from rock, country, Americana, and really anything that inspires me.
I actually didn’t start playing guitar until 2021. I just wanted to learn some of my favorite rock songs, so my dad bought me a cheap acoustic guitar, and I started teaching myself from YouTube videos. I got hooked pretty quickly, and about three months later, I bought a Fender Duo-Sonic electric guitar and a little amp. From that point on, I started taking lessons and really putting a lot of effort into it.
Since then, I’ve been lucky to study music with Kansas City musician Adam Wyatt and vocals with Hana Burrows and Anne Marie McLaughlin. They’ve all helped shape me into a better musician. I’ve also learned a lot from getting out and playing live. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to perform all over Kansas City and beyond, playing everything from small clubs and open jams to big stages and festivals. Every show teaches me something new, and I try to bring the same energy and authenticity whether I’m playing for 20 people or 2,000.
I’ve also had some incredible opportunities through the Pinetop Perkins Foundation, where I got to learn from and collaborate with amazing musicians. I’ve represented my region at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in the youth showcase, and I’m proud to be supported by the Kansas City Blues Society. Some of the highlights so far have been playing places and events like Knuckleheads KC, the Lyrical Belles Showcase, the 515 Music Hub, Women in Blues Showcase, and the King Biscuit Blues Festival.
One of my favorite parts of being a musician is meeting other artists and getting to collaborate with them. Whether it’s sharing a stage, sitting in for a jam, or writing songs together, I think that’s where you grow the most. My goal has always been to respect the traditions of blues while putting my own spin on it. I want people to hear the influences that got me started, but also hear something that’s uniquely mine. I’m still early in my career, but I’m always writing, always learning, and always looking for the next opportunity to grow as an artist.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not. Even though I haven’t been playing guitar for very long, it’s been a lot of hard work. I spent countless hours practicing, watching videos, taking lessons, and trying to absorb as much as I can. I still take lessons, and I am constantly pushing to be better.
Another challenge has been learning the business side of music. Playing guitar is one thing, but booking shows, promoting yourself, networking, writing original music, managing a band, and building a brand are all completely different skills. It’s something I’m still learning every day, and a lot to figure out as a teenager just getting started.
I’ve also learned that not every opportunity works out the way you hope. There have been shows that didn’t go as planned, lineup changes, and moments where things felt discouraging. But I think those experiences have made me a better musician and a better person. They’ve taught me to be adaptable, stay patient, and keep moving forward.
At the end of the day, I think every challenge has made me appreciate where I am even more. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited about that because it means there’s always room to grow.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a full-time college student, music is my career. I perform both as a solo artist and with my band, Haley Burke and the Hawks. While my foundation is in the blues, I don’t like to put myself in a box. I enjoy blending blues, rock, country, Americana, and even pop into my sets. One night you might hear Muddy Waters, the next it’s Lynyrd Skynyrd, and then somehow we end up playing Madonna. I like keeping audiences on their toes and making sure there’s something for everyone.
What sets my solo performances apart is that I treat them like a full show, not just standing on stage with an acoustic guitar. I perform with an electric guitar, a Roland stomp box, and a BOSS looper pedal, which lets me build each song into something bigger. Every song has its own arrangement, and I put a lot of thought into making the performance engaging from start to finish. I want people to leave feeling like they saw a show, not just listened to background music.
Haley Burke and the Hawks bring a completely different energy. We’re a Kansas City-based three-piece blues-rock and Americana band that puts a modern spin on traditional blues. We formed in 2025, and even though we’re a newer band, we’ve already had the opportunity to perform at festivals, clubs, and showcases throughout the region. I think what makes us unique is that we’re introducing younger audiences to blues while still honoring the artists who inspired us. We love stretching out instrumentally, feeding off the crowd, and making every performance feel different from the last.
Overall, whether I’m playing solo or with the band, my goal is the same: to put on an authentic, high-energy performance that people remember long after the show is over. I want audiences to have fun, discover music they may not have heard before, and leave feeling connected to what we played.
How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t about being famous. It’s about supporting myself in a career where I get to wake up every day and do what I love. If I can make a living playing music, writing songs that people connect with, and continue growing as a musician, I’d consider that a success.
I also think success is earning the respect of other musicians. Some of the moments I’m most proud of have been when artists I look up to have complimented my playing or invited me to share the stage with them. That means a lot because it’s a sign that the work I’m putting in is paying off.
More than anything, I want to leave every audience with something they’ll remember. If someone comes up after a show and says a song meant something to them or they had a great time, that’s a win in my book.
Of course, I have big goals. I’d love to go on tour, play bigger festivals, release my original music, and continue growing my audience. But I don’t think success is one finish line. It’s something you keep working toward, and I hope I’ll always have another goal to chase.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://haleyburkemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyburkemusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haleyburkemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@haleyburkemusic
- Other: https://linktr.ee/haleyburkemusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9baac8c2-b4c5-4b9d-9a7c-79c5604b5bfb
