Summer Concert Series at Burnet’s Haley Nelson Park kicks off with Ryan Beaver
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — Grab your boots, your hat and your two-stepping partner and head to Burnet’s Haley Nelson Park because KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune and the city of Burnet are throwing a monthly musical party.
And they’re calling it the Summer Music Series.
First up June 1 is Texas singer-songwriter Ryan Beaver. He hits the stage at 8 p.m.
“He appeals to a crowd of young, middle and old,” said Double Eagle Entertainment producer and host of KBEY’s Saturday night “Tailgate Show” Damon Beierle. “He’s an all-around Texas singer.”
Originally from Northeast Texas, Beaver has released two albums, 2008’s “Under the Neons” and 2011’s “Constant”, after he set aside his pursuit of a marketing degree from Texas State University in San Marcos, according to published reports.
In addition to his talent for singing and songwriting, Beaver plays the guitar, the drums and the piano.
Beaver has shared stages with Gary Allan, Robert Earl Keen, Josh Turner and the Randy Rogers Band.
He has written songs with Dean Dillon, the writer of “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property,” which were big hits for George Strait. Other songwriting collaborators include Jessi Alexander, who wrote “The Climb,” and Ryan Tyndell.
“Ryan (Beaver) is a Texas artist with a mix of country, Southern rock and Americana,” Beierle said. “(Texas artists) all have their unique chords and progressions. Most Texas artists are songwriters, which sets them apart from Nashville.”
The Summer Music Series is sponsored by KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune, The Picayune, Double Eagle Entertainment and the city of Burnet.
Beierle said having a series of concerts made sense for the outdoor facility.
“We wanted to bring something to showcase the amphitheater,” he said. “It’s not only the summer series. I want to continue to add concerts. Dance companies can be in there.”
Each concert will have a concession stand, he said, but attendees can bring coolers, lawn chairs and blankets.
“This is definitely for the entire Hill Country,” the producer said. “This is definitely a family-friendly event.”
For more on Beaver, visit www.ryanbeaver.com.
jfierro@thepicayune.com