Even before graduating from The University of Memphis, HunterBurks already has a job managing a local band, Halfacre Gunroom. Inaddition to taking classes and worrying about tests, Burks presidesover late-night, on-the-road shows in the hopes of propelling theband into the national spotlight.
"I have a scholarship for school and a part time job, andgetting out of class is hard, although my professors have reallybeen great about working with me," Burks said.
The job of band manager just kind of fell into his hands, saidBurks, who is a major in sports management but interned atArchangel Records and whose brother, Justin Fox Burks is a drummerfor Halfacre Gunroom.
"I knew some people, and they didn't have the money to hire amanager, and mostly, I like the music," Burks said.
The band recorded its debut album Wrecked last spring afterplaying together for a year, said Bryan Hartley, singer and rhythmguitar player.
"It was our first experience in a nice studio," Hartleysaid.
While the band members had total control over the music, therecord label did the art and packaging for the CD, scheduled to bereleased July 13, when it will be available in several Memphismusic stores.
Wrecked features Halfacre Gunroom's southern rock style with adash of punk through songs about love lost in 1989 and rockabillythat mocks the shallowness of East Memphis girls. In short, aparticular Memphis blend of musical style and temperament.
The band holds an open practice Wednesday nights at Earnestineand Hazel's and will perform July 22, at the Hi Tone.
Halfacre Gunroom's performances now are about half from thealbum and half new songs they have been working on, Hartleysaid.
"We're always working on bringing in new stuff, so we probablyhave enough new material for a second album," Hartley said.
As manager, Burks books local shows, completes contracts andmakes sure everything's all right on the road.
The band has traveled to New Orleans and Jackson and recentlypurchased a 15-passenger van for a two-month tour of the Northeastthat begins in late September.
While the band's fan base is growing, the money members make onthe road basically covers travel costs, Burks said.
Hartley said his goal, as well as that of the other bandmembers, is to quit his job and perform full time.
Because music and entertainment management principles are sosimilar to sports management principles, Burks said he plans tofinish his sports management degree but hopefully continue in themusic field.
