Jonathan Byrd

Jonathan Byrd

Jonathan Byrd is a United States singer-songwriter and folk artist from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He grows up singing in the Southern Baptist church, where his father preaches and his mother plays piano. He later spends four years in the Navy before returning to Chapel Hill and performing in rock bands within the city’s underground music scene.

Songwriting and style

Byrd’s writing changes after he attends an old-time fiddle festival in the mountains of southwest Virginia. He begins drawing on southern traditional music and writes new songs in an older, traditional style. His work sits within folk, americana, alt-country and roots music.

Notable song

One of Byrd’s early songs is “Velma,” a murder ballad based on the true story of Velma Barfield, the last woman executed in North Carolina in 1984. The song also connects to Byrd’s own family history, as Barfield is the murderer of his grandfather.

Additional detail

Byrd is associated with Barn Birds.