{"id":31472,"date":"2026-02-01T00:11:55","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T08:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegotroubadour.com\/?p=31472"},"modified":"2026-02-01T10:17:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T18:17:12","slug":"the-burnsville-band-a-homecoming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegotroubadour.com\/the-burnsville-band-a-homecoming\/","title":{"rendered":"The Burnsville Band: A Homecoming"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"

Steve Burns<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Thursday night, March 5th, 6pm\u2014mark your calendars! Humphreys Backstage Lounge in Point Loma is about to light up with something very special: THE BURNSVILLE BAND 20TH REUNION.<\/p>\n

This evening fans of the Burnsville Band will celebrate with (most of) the original line-up from a special era in the San Diego blues scene. If you were there in those San Diego days, you know this is more than a show. It\u2019s a homecoming. It\u2019s a room full of old friends, familiar riffs, and those moments when the band hits a groove so deep you can feel it in your chest.<\/p>\n

Several guests will be sitting in, many of whom were regular faces on and off stage during the Burnsville Band heyday. Rosalea Schiavone (Wicked Harem Booking & Productions), who promoted and stood alongside the band during their climb, is producing this celebratory event.<\/p>\n

As a special treat, Zavala Sol (duo) with Carrie Zavala and Mike VanDuyn will open the night, and local powerhouses Jerry “Hot Rod” DeMink and Chet Cannon will be sitting in as well. (More guests announced soon!) The night is set to be a Who\u2019s Who of San Diego blues luminaries.<\/p>\n

Formative Years: From La Mesa to the Belly Up
\n<\/strong>The Burnsville Band grew out of the La Mesa music community. Steve Burns pulled his crew together in 2006, and the group spent an intensive year rehearsing before making a public splash in 2007. They hit the stage that year at the Belly Up Tavern during the International Blues Challenge. That wasn\u2019t a one-off flash. It was the launch of a band that dug into the city\u2019s blues circuit and carved out a serious reputation. By the late 2000s they secured a multi-year residency at the House of Blues San Diego (2008\u20132012), earned steady local radio play and press, and packed rooms across the county. Those were the nights that made the band a community fixture.<\/p>\n

The Original Lineup Reunites!
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\"\"

Burnsville Blues Band: Joe Hager, Steve Burns, Joe Bernal, Michael McGinty, Dave Seely<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The classic Burnsville Band lineup was Steve Burns (guitars-lead\/slide\/Dobro\/vocals), the band\u2019s heartbeat and its unmistakable lead voice on guitar. Joe Bernal (lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic\/electric guitar) co-fronting the band. Joe\u2019s vocals\u2014from sweet and lowdown to high powered rock perfection\u2014combined with Steve\u2019s smokin\u2019 lead work\u2014was a deadly combination in the front. Mike McGinty (organ, piano), whose textures and fills were a big part of the Burnsville flavor. Dave Seely (bass, backing vocals), solid, pocketed, and groove first. And Joe Hager (drums), the engine that kept everything locked and moving. This rhythm section laid down the solid foundation for the band to get its groove on.<\/p>\n

Together they proved to be a potent combination of seasoned pros. These five made the original Burnsville Band a unit: tight, soulful, and dangerous when they wanted to turn the heat up.<\/p>\n

Around late 2010\/early 2011 the group morphed into a newer lineup: Charmaine Tam took over bass duties, Joe Hager stayed on drums, and Scottie Blinn joined on guitar and vocals (in between a hiatus from the Mississippi Mudsharks, and forming Black Market III). Local keyboard legend Paul Cougill joined the Burnsville Band shortly thereafter, adding back that sweet and soulful organ vibe.<\/p>\n

These changes didn\u2019t dilute the identity\u2026they broadened it. The band experimented with different textures, different front-men dynamics, and invited guests who became part of the family.<\/p>\n

The Burnsville Band Reunion show will reunite Steve, Joe B., Mike, and Joe H. for a high energy set, joined by local favorite and international touring bassist (Vanessa Collier Band), Andrew Crane. Scottie and Paul from Burnsville v.2 will be joining in as well.<\/p>\n