PJ Brunson
Overview
Solo acoustic singer-songwriter, guitarist & pianist. Award-winning originals and a variety of popular covers spanning the ages. My mission is to provide meaningful musical merriment for the masses.
Reviews
17 reviews
Melinda J.
March 19, 2023PJ is rated 25 on a 10 point scale!
PJ was absolutely terrific in every way....her singing tone, her music, her personality. She worked with us on the play list and she and my husband worked together for games with musical input. She was certainly instrumental in making my 80th birthday a HUGE success. Thank you, PJ. We will use PJ again.
Hired as: Singing Guitarist
PJ Brunson
Thank you so much for your kind words! You two and your family were amazing. I had a great time with you. Definitely look forward to playing for you again. Take care!
Lesley L.
May 18, 2022A wonderful calming presence
PJ did a wonderful job adding music and song to our parents anniversary event. It was a social gathering and she added just the right touch of background music. Her variety was brilliant and we received lots of compliments on her tone and style. Already looking for the next excuse to hire her so I can sit down and listen to her more.
Hired as: Acoustic Band, Easy Listening Band, Guitarist, Singing Guitarist
PJ Brunson
Lesley,
Thanks so much for your kind words. It was an honor to play a small part in the celebration for your parents. Your family shares a beautiful bond and you were all so gracious and generous. Your communication before the gig was exceptional and the background you provided made it very easy for me to read the room. I would be delighted to work with you again anytime. Best wishes!
Frank S.
June 2, 2019Awesome singer and guitarist!
We booked PJ to play for our restaurant for our Sunday Brunch - what a home run! Loved the music, the vibe, the personality. PJ made a great connection with the crowd, generated great guest involvement, and made sure everyone had a great time. Our guests relaxed and lingered, enjoying one more glass of wine while taking in the music. 10 out of 10 for sure - we can't wait to have PJ back to share with our guests! Thanks PJ!
Hired as: Guitarist, Singing Guitarist
PJ Brunson
Thank you, Frank! It was a joy to work with you and your wonderful crew on Sunday. You all made me feel right at home, and it was an easy job from there. I sincerely appreciate your kind words and your business! Let's do it again! PJ
Emory A.
November 18, 2023Awesome entertainment!
PJ was incredibly professional and was a great addition to our family thanksgiving gathering! I originally booked for a solo singer/guitarist but she let me know a few days before the set performance that she had laryngitis and would not be able to do the expected performance. Accidents happen and I completely understood! She quickly gave an alternate solution which would be bringing a violinist along and she would play piano. She told me this would be Jo extra charge but would understand if I needed to book a different entertainer. Both her and Laurie are were incredibly kind, engaging, and talented! We had an awesome night thanks to both PJ and Laurie. We would definitely book again 😊
Hired as: Holiday Entertainment
PJ Brunson
Thank you so much, Emory! You were a very gracious hostess and we had a wonderful time. Much appreciated!
PJ & Laurie
Robin H.
July 24, 2023PJ was AWESOME!
PJ was very friendly, a great singer and all around everyone enjoyed her music. Will definitely have her back again.
Hired as: Guitarist
PJ Brunson
Thank you, Robin! I look forward to that. Y'all were a great bunch!
Booking information
Price range: $150-$750
Languages: English
Gig length: 20 - 180 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Umbrella Policy
What to expect
PJ embodies the best of new folk music in her singing, songwriting, and finger-picking styles. She is an accomplished musician and songwriter who has a keen ear for great new music regardless of genre. Above all else, she is an entertainer. With her easy and engaging stage presence, she has a way of reaching out and pulling an audience in, one person at a time.
About
PJ Brunson is a South Carolina-based singer, songwriter, composer, guitarist and pianist who has performed extensively across the Southeast region, opening for legendary artists such as Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith.
Known in the Carolinas as the "female James Taylor", the acoustic folk/easy listening artist delights audiences on guitar and piano with hints of Americana, country, pop, blues, Celtic, new age, classical and rock. Her songs, instrumentals and lyrics reflect her deep appreciation of poetry, art, literature and Southern heritage -- with imagery-accented stories of love and lore that appeal to audiences from all walks of life.
PJ has received accolades from fans and the media alike. The publication Creative Loafing named her Charlotte's "Best Acoustic Folk Act".
Her latest album, "Home To Me", was nominated for Folk Album of the Year by members of the International Music and Entertainment Association. The songs are brought to life with the artist's mesmerizing alto vocals and intricate finger picking on acoustic guitar. Fans have praised the 14-song project as comforting, drifting, thought provoking, life changing, and authentic -- a gentle way to find peace in a troubled world.
The singer-songwriter has recorded five other albums as a solo artist and/or member of the New Age duo Ananda, with songs airing on radio stations and websites around the world. PJ's other solo albums are "Long Road - Live" (2003) and "Come Hell or High Water" (2001).
One of her greatest accomplishments as a budding professional artist was opening for Lovett and Griffith at Spirit Square in Charlotte and advancing to the second round of the "You Can Be A Star" talent search. She has performed at a host of prominent venues since then, including the Commodore Lounge and Renaissance Hotel in Nashville; the Charlotte Music Awards Singer-Songwriter Showcase; the York (S.C.) Summerfest; Community Performance Center in Rock Hill, S.C.; the Sylvia Theater in York, S.C.; Manhattan's in Knoxville, Tenn.; The Grey Eagle in Asheville, N.C.; Cafe' 99 and Cumberlands in Charleston, S.C.; and Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, N.C
Additional booking notes
My requirements are few and simple. I have my own small PA or set up quickly with a house system. I typically only require a direct acoustic guitar input and a quality microphone. I perform on a Martin guitar and use a Shure SM58 mic.
Past booked events
May 2025
15
Thursday
Retirement Community Event
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Greer, SC
July 2024
22
Monday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 11:30am
•
Charlotte, NC
December 2023
09
Saturday
Christmas Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Huntersville, NC
November 2023
16
Thursday
Retirement Community Event
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Greer, SC
July 2023
22
Saturday
House Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Charlotte, NC
May 2023
20
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Charlotte, NC
04
Thursday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 1:00pm
•
Winston-Salem, NC
April 2023
01
Saturday
Personal Occasion
11:00pm - 12:00am (Sun)
•
Concord, NC
March 2023
18
Saturday
House Party
2:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Charlotte, NC
11
Saturday
Birthday Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Charlotte, NC
February 2023
18
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
2:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Rock Hill, SC
November 2022
24
Thursday
Holiday Party
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Huntersville, NC
May 2022
13
Friday
Anniversary Party
6:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Harrisburg, NC
April 2022
14
Thursday
Grand Opening
2:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Columbia, SC
December 2021
08
Wednesday
Corporate Event
12:00pm - 12:30pm
•
Greensboro, NC
November 2021
25
Thursday
Holiday Party
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Huntersville, NC
October 2021
31
Sunday
The Wine Shop at Rivergate Brunch
11:30am - 2:00pm
28
Thursday
Corks, Cooks & Books
5:30pm - 8:30pm
26
Tuesday
Chandler Place Independent Living (Ananda Duo)
2:00pm - 3:00pm
25
Monday
Chandler Place Assisted Living
2:30pm - 3:30pm
24
Sunday
The Wine Shop at Rivergate Brunch
11:30am - 2:00pm
23
Saturday
Concert
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Huntersville, NC
17
Sunday
The Wine Shop at Rivergate Brunch
11:30am - 2:00pm
15
Friday
The Rural Seed
5:30pm - 8:30pm
14
Thursday
Corks, Cooks & Books
5:30pm - 8:30pm
13
Wednesday
Corks, Cooks & Books Songwriter Showcase
6:30pm - 8:30pm
10
Sunday
The Wine Shop at Rivergate Brunch
11:30am - 2:00pm
09
Saturday
Wedding (Ananda Duo)
5:00pm - 6:00pm
08
Friday
Tapas on Market
7:00pm - 10:00pm
03
Sunday
The Wine Shop at Rivergate Brunch
11:30am - 2:00pm
02
Saturday
Day Drinkers Private Party
7:00pm - 10:00pm
September 2021
30
Thursday
Corks, Cooks & Books
5:30pm - 8:30pm
27
Monday
Chandler Place Assisted Living
2:30pm - 3:30pm
26
Sunday
The Wine Shop at Rivergate Brunch
11:30am - 2:00pm
25
Saturday
Tapas on Market
7:00pm - 10:00pm
24
Friday
Corks, Cooks & Books
5:30pm - 8:30pm
March 2021
13
Saturday
House Party
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Charlotte, NC
December 2019
19
Thursday
Christmas Party
7:00pm - 7:30pm
•
Charlotte, NC
September 2019
28
Saturday
Cocktail Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Mooresville, NC
13
Friday
Cocktail Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Charlotte, NC
July 2019
31
Wednesday
Concert
7:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Morganton, NC
26
Friday
Senior Community Concert
7:00pm - 8:00pm
25
Thursday
Midnight Blue @ Lyrics on the Lawn
6:00pm - 9:00pm
17
Wednesday
Singer-Songwriter Showcase
8:00pm - 11:00pm
07
Sunday
Restaurant/Bar Event
11:30am - 2:00pm
•
Charlotte, NC
06
Saturday
Retirement Community
7:00pm - 8:00pm
June 2019
22
Saturday
House Party
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Mooresville, NC
16
Sunday
Retirement Community Event
11:30am - 2:30pm
•
Morganton, NC
02
Sunday
Restaurant/Bar Event
12:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Charlotte, NC
December 2018
22
Saturday
Ledo Pizza
8:00pm - 10:30pm
12
Wednesday
Christmas @ Daniel Stowe Gardens
6:00pm - 8:00pm
02
Sunday
Ananda (PJ & Laurie) @ ChristmasVille
3:00pm - 4:00pm
November 2018
29
Thursday
Christmas @ Daniel Stowe Gardens
6:00pm - 8:00pm
17
Saturday
Windy Hill Orchard
1:00pm - 4:00pm
15
Thursday
Ananda Christmas @ Daniel Stowe
6:00pm - 8:00pm
10
Saturday
Ledo Pizza
8:00pm - 10:30pm
October 2018
27
Saturday
Catawba Coffee Songwriter Showcase
7:00pm - 9:00pm
13
Saturday
Lost Hollow Music Fest Daniel Stowe Garden
12:00pm - 2:00pm
09
Tuesday
Hospice & Community Care Memorial Service
5:30pm - 6:30pm
September 2018
23
Sunday
Windy Hill Orchard
1:00pm - 4:00pm
22
Saturday
Ledo Pizza
8:00pm - 10:30pm
22
Saturday
Festival in the Park - Folk Music Stage
12:30pm - 1:15pm
09
Sunday
Daniel Stowe Beer Garden
1:00pm - 3:00pm
07
Friday
Brookdale Chandler Place
7:00pm - 8:00pm
August 2018
31
Friday
Carolina Olive Oil Company
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Set list
Ain't No Sunshine
All My Loving
American Pie
Angel from Montgomery
Bad Moon Rising
Blowing in the Wind
Brown Eyed Girl
California Dreaming
Carolina in My Mind
Closer to Fine
Crazy
Danny Boy
Danny's Song
Diamonds & Rust
Don't Think Twice
Dreams
Fly Me to the Moon
Folsom Prison Blues
Friends in Low Places
Georgia
Get Together
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Hallelujah
Help from My Friends
Hey There Delilah
Hotel California
Home
Hound Dog
House at Pooh Corner
House of the Rising Sun
I'll Be
I Go Out Walking
I Walk the Line
I Will Always Love You
Johnny B. Goode
Jolene
Knocking on Heaven's Door
Landslide
Margaritaville
Me & Bobby McGee
Me & Julio
Mother Mother Ocean
Norwegian Wood
Old Time Rock N Roll
Paved Paradise
Proud Mary
Riders on the Storm
Ring of Fire
Rocky Top
Save the Last Dance for Me
Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay
Sound of Silence
Stand By Me
Summertime
Sweet Caroline
Tennessee Whiskey
The Boxer
The Times They Are a Changing
The Weight
To The One I Love
Turn the Page
Wagon Wheel
Wake Me Up
What a Wonderful World
When You Say Nothing at All
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Wise Men Say
Yesterday
You Can't Always Get What You Want
You Can Do Magic
You're So Vain
You've Got a Friend
Originals...
Influences and inspiration
Leonard Cohen
Joan Baez
Carole King
Joni Mitchell
Dolly Parton
Allison Krauss
Simon & Garfunkel
Don McLean
Bob Dylan
Indigo Girls
Dan Fogelberg
James Taylor
Jimmy Buffet
Edwin McCain
Setup requirements
I can bring my own small two-channel PowerWorks PA. I just need a comfortable corner and standard outlet.