Podcast Summary

Podcast: Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
Episode: Nashville Songwriter Gary Burr Pens A Novel About A Fictional Beatles Reunion
Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Terry O’Reilly
Guest: Gary Burr

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep-dive conversation with Gary Burr, a prolific Nashville songwriter and musician, about his new novel, Reunion: A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale. The book explores the tantalizing “what if” of the Beatles reuniting for a concert in the late 1990s, imagining John Lennon survived his assassination attempt. Terry and Gary explore Burr’s personal songwriting journey, his direct connection to Beatles history (including work with Ringo Starr), the emotional and narrative complexities of writing Beatles fan fiction, and why Beatlemania continues to endure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Gary Burr's Musical Roots and Career

• Early Life and First Influences (05:44–08:29):

  • Grew up in Meriden, Connecticut, in a non-musical family.
  • Musical discovery via older siblings—early inspiration from the Beatles and folk artists.
  • “We all had the records with the scrawled things that the sister wrote on the records: I love Paul, I love George…” (07:31–07:43, Gary Burr)
  • Picked up guitar following a soccer injury and self-taught during a lengthy convalescence.

• First Bands and Breaking into the Industry (08:44–14:31):

  • Journey from working at an auto parts store to bands in California, writing, and playing music.
  • Learned the business via sheer persistence—11 tapes sent, 10 rejections, one crucial mentor, Harold Kleiner.
  • Secured a record deal and eventually became lead singer for Pure Prairie League after Vince Gill departed.

• Songwriting Breakthroughs (14:31–18:35):

  • Wrote Juice Newton’s hit “Love's Been A Little Bit Hard on Me” (1982) and Oak Ridge Boys’s No.1 “Make My Life With You” (1984).
  • Moved to Nashville, immersed in the songwriting scene, co-writing with artists like Vince Gill.

Beatles Influence & Experiences with Ringo Starr

• Beatles as Lifelong Inspiration (18:35–21:36):

  • Yale memories—seeing A Hard Day's Night at a drive-in, Ed Sullivan Show, purchasing Sgt. Pepper.

• Collaborating with Ringo Starr (21:48–25:21):

  • Became part of Ringo’s musical world through producer Mark Hudson. Contributed to 9 Ringo albums.
  • “He only gives you [a hard time] if he likes you. And I said, man, I hope he doesn’t like me too much, because I’m gonna have a heart attack.” (23:06–23:54, Gary Burr)

The Novel: Reunion—A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale

• Genesis and Creative Process (29:16–35:02):

  • Originated during the pandemic; driven by love for “sliding doors”/alternate reality themes.
  • “I was walking past the Dakota, thinking, what would it have taken for them to have missed each other that night?” (31:19–32:30, Gary Burr)
  • Wrote story beats but let the narrative evolve naturally, infusing authentic “Easter eggs” from real Beatles lore.

• Plot Premise and Story Mechanics (35:02–37:50):

  • Story set in 1998: John survives, Linda McCartney’s passing motivates Paul to propose a benefit reunion.
  • Explores questions—can the Beatles work together again, what songs would they play, can they keep it secret, and where would such an event happen.

• Deep Beatle Knowledge & Fandom (37:50–41:15):

  • Book is rich in Beatles lore and details known mainly to insiders.
  • “If I could make a living out of either Seinfeld trivia or Beatle trivia, I’d be a very wealthy man.” (38:21–38:35, Gary Burr)

• Alternate Beatles History (39:16–41:15):

  • Imagines “Double Fantasy” becoming a modest hit; explores Lennon and McCartney both being knighted.

• Group Dynamics in a Hypothetical Reunion (43:08–45:55):

  • George Harrison as reluctant participant, wanting to be seen as an equal.
  • The role of Yoko Ono is explored authentically, reflecting historical tensions about her involvement.

Metafiction, Surprises, and Epilogue

• Writing Surprises (46:28–46:56):

  • The twist ending/epilogue came to Burr in a flash after the book was “finished.”
  • “I bolted up in the middle of the night and went, ‘Oh, wait a minute.’” (46:28–46:46, Gary Burr)

• Ringo’s Awareness (47:24–48:14):

  • Ringo knows about the book but hasn’t read it:
    • “Long ago, we lost the right to tell people what they can and can’t write about us…You write the book. I don’t want to read the book. I’m just going to wait till it comes out and I’m going to shit all over it.” (47:47–48:14, Gary Burr quoting Ringo)

Why the Beatles Endure

• The Never-Ending Mystique (48:21–51:05):

  • Burr and O’Reilly reflect on why Beatles outshine other British Invasion acts in cultural fascination.
  • “Not one day goes by where I don’t see somebody wearing a beetle T shirt, hear it playing on…radio. Not a day goes by that something Beatles doesn’t hit me.” (48:42–49:31, Gary Burr)

• Impact on America’s Psyche (49:54–51:19):

  • The Beatles as a light in a dark period of American history—especially post-JFK assassination.

The Song “Peace and Love”

• Bringing the Book to Life (51:19–55:45):
  • Book includes a QR code for an original song “Peace and Love,” written and performed by Burr, with Ringo on drums.
  • Lyrics emphasize refusing to give up on hope, echoing Beatles’ timeless messages.
  • “We shout about peace and love / No one seems to hear / All the noise we make / Seems to be falling on their fears…” (52:23–54:17, Gary Burr’s song)

What’s Next for Gary Burr

• Future Projects (56:18–57:25):
  • Adapting Reunion into a screenplay.
  • Finished a second book; songs on Kenny Chesney’s new album; touring with Laurel Canyon Band (Crosby, Stills, & Nash tribute).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the crucial role of siblings in Beatles discovery:

  • “I can’t tell you how many people we’ve interviewed, Gary, where an older sister has been the gateway to the Beatles.”
    (07:24–07:31, Terry O’Reilly)

• On surviving a first gig with Ringo Starr:

  • “He only gives you [a hard time] if he likes you...I hope he doesn’t like me too much, because I’m gonna have a heart attack.”
    (23:54–24:03, Gary Burr)

• On the Beatles as enduring cultural touchstones:

  • “Not a day goes by that something Beatles doesn’t hit me. I can go a month and never hear the Pope mentioned. True, but you can’t go a day and not hear the Beatles or about the Beatles.”
    (49:31–49:54, Gary Burr)

• Describing that pivotal “what if” moment that sparked the novel:

  • “What would it have taken for them to have missed each other that night? … Hell, they might have all gotten back together.”
    (31:19–32:30, Gary Burr)

• On writing the unexpected epilogue:

  • “The whole book was written and ready to go when I bolted up in the middle of the night and went, ‘Oh, wait a minute.’ And I came downstairs and wrote the epilogue…”
    (46:28–46:46, Gary Burr)

Important Timestamps

• 05:44 – Childhood, family, and early musical influences
• 07:45 – Learning guitar post-Woodstock accident
• 14:31 – First hit song and entry into professional songwriting
• 18:50 – Beatles memories and influence
• 21:48 – First Ringo Starr collaboration
• 25:00 – Work with Ringo; song and album credits
• 29:16 – Origin of Reunion novel
• 35:24 – Plot outline and unique challenges of Beatles reunion
• 43:57 – George Harrison’s role and band dynamics
• 47:26 – Ringo’s reaction (and quote) about Gary Burr’s novel
• 49:54 – Beatles as enduring cultural phenomenon
• 51:27–55:44 – “Peace and Love” (song from the novel, feat. Ringo)
• 56:22 – Upcoming projects and career directions

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a uniquely personal and richly detailed look at the intersection between pop culture myth and musical storytelling. It’s a must-listen (or read) for Beatles fans, songwriters, and anyone who has wondered “what if” about one of music’s greatest stories. Gary Burr’s combination of industry brass-tacks, fandom, and artistic vision provides fresh perspectives and satisfying fan service, both as a songwriter and now as a novelist.

For more information about Gary Burr or to purchase Reunion: A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale, visit GaryBurr.com.