Getting to Know the Troy Burns Family
Staff writer Victoria Bowlin got to spend a few moments with the Troy Burns Family! Get to know them in this fun Q&A!
Victoria Bowlin: How long have you been traveling as the Troy Burns Family?
Troy Burns: We started singing as the Troy Burns Family (TBF) in July 2011.
VB: Troy, you’ve been traveling for a long time. Who all have you sang with in the past?
TB: When I was about 10 years old, Dad taught me the guitar and how to sing different parts. I helped found The Inspirations when I was 12 years old and sang bass for the first 6 years of our existence. I played bass guitar for The Inspirations for about 6 years and sang lead for the rest of the 30 years I was with the group. I did some solo work in the 1990s, and we have been singing as the Troy Burns Family for about 8 years.
VB: Who are your group members?
TB: Troy Burns – lead vocals/guitar, Tammy Burns – alto vocals, Shane Mathis – baritone vocals, ad Jacob Kluttz – pianist
VB: Is there anything new and exciting happening with the Troy Burns Family right now?
TB: We have Christmas Spectacular Concerts booked in 35 cities. To go along with that, we have two Christmas Projects, one with new Christmas songs and one with traditional Christmas songs. On December 14, we are doing a date at the Smoky Mountain Center of the Performing Arts in Franklin, North Carolina with TBF, The Nelons, Sneed Family, the Bowling Family, and the Bowling Sisters. We have a new project, In God We Trust, and our new single is, “When He Laid His Hammer Down” (All recorded with Chapel Valley Records.) Troy is being inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame at NQC September 2017.
VB: What is your favorite song to sing?
Troy: “Chiseled In Stone”
Tammy: “I’m Praying For You”
Shane: “Chiseled In Stone”
Jacob: “Patriotic Medley”
VB: Where do you like to stop while on the road?
Troy: Our next venue…then I can relax
Tammy: Walmart (for sleep and rest)
Shane: Anyplace with a view
Jacob: Cracker Barrel
VB: What is one of your funniest stories from the road?
Troy: feeding Jack Laws a whole pack of EX-Lax on a hamburger and cup of coffee.
Tammy: It wasn’t funny at the time, but our dog driving and wrecking our Motorhome.
Shane: Troy and his sleepwalking.
Jacob: When Molly, Troy and Tammy’s dog, chased me from the back of the bus to the front. I didn’t know she was back there.
VB: What has been your most rewarding moment while traveling?
Troy: When an older man or woman says they attended one of our concerts when they were young and as a direct result became a believer or they answered the call to ministry or was drawn to sing Southern Gospel.
Tammy: Watching those that are not saved, or in need of a closer walk, heeding the call of the Holy Spirit and find themselves in the alter.
VB: Where is your favorite place to sing?
Troy: After having sung in 7,000 concerts….Anywhere is fine!
Tammy: Singing in the Smokies, Bryson City, NC
Shane: Municipal Auditorium Charleston, WV
Jacob: Church at Will’s Creek in Gadsden, AL
VB: How can people get in touch with you and see your schedule?
TB: You can reach us by phone 828-736-1981, email troyburnsfamily@gmail.com, and visit our website, www.troyburnsfamily.com. You can also find us on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and iTunes.