By Shannon McMahon

Even as she navigates the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, 20-year-old Brittany “Britt” Burton is doing her best to strike a balance between Ohio sensibilities and big Hollywood dreams. The Dublin native turned TV host and singer is hardworking, spunky and confident. She also keeps a firm grasp on her Midwestern roots.

The former student of Bailey Elementary School, Grizzell Middle School and Dublin Jerome High School says she was a strong student and athlete. However, while growing up, Burton says it was her interest in music and performing that came most natural. For fun, she used to write her own songs and record them on a karaoke machine.

“Entertainment always seemed like a dream,” Burton says via phone from her Los Angeles home, “not a reality.”
The Dublin and Columbus areas offered her a few outlets for her creative talents such as appearances in local commercials and voiceover gigs. However, when Burton’s parents arranged some time at a local studio, her passion for music re-ignited. Moving to Los Angeles after graduating high school in 2007 was her chance to re-connect with this passion, Burton says.

Burton’s first big break in California came quickly. A casting director from BETA Records TV, a new weekly show that focuses on the music industry, approached her on the street and asked her to audition to become the show’s host.
“I have this great ability to be at the right place at the right time,” she says.

Initially unsure, Burton made it through the auditions as the No. 1 pick. Now, as co-host of BETA Records TV, Burton learns first-hand about the industry she loves by interviewing up-and-coming artists, including American Idol contestant Amanda Obermeyer and "2009 Artist to Watch" Serena Ryder.

Even as Burton becomes accustomed to her role as TV host, she continues pursuing her other interests. Currently, she’s developing a pop/rock group with four other girls called Pretty Little Problem. Burton, who sings, also frequently meets with producers and schedules rehearsal times.

Burton says her desire to see the group succeed generates a hectic schedule.

“I’m constantly running around, and it’s more emotionally straining,” she says. “But that’s the nature of the business. Here you can work really hard and see nothing — that’s a risk. It takes perseverance.”

 
Burton’s schedule is unlikely to calm down anytime soon. She balances homework (she takes online classes in marketing and accounting from Franklin University in Columbus), filming for BETA, organizing band rehearsals and keeping up appearances.

“There’s no such thing as a weekend or a day of the week for me,” Burton says. “The day always changes.”
When it’s most chaotic, her Dublin upbringing (something she loves to talk about) keeps her grounded. Relatively frequent visits home allow Burton to visit her parents, brother, grandparents and friends in Central Ohio. She says she can’t visit without eating at El Vaquero, The Rusty Bucket and Chipotle (the latter of which has few locations in Los Angeles).

As different as Dublin is from her current zip code, Burton feels as though they are both natural parts of her.
“No one was shocked when I decided to do this,” she says about moving. “During high school, I liked school, and now I feel more comfortable out in L.A. I’m very down in my roots, but I get to see my artsy side, which is my real big passion.”

Following good advice once given to her, Burton says balancing her Ohio background and current lifestyle is extremely important. She says to be true to yourself 100 percent and to perfect what you do, whether it’s your sound or your personality.

“Things started happening for me when I started following this advice,” she says.

With her eyes on the future and her head clear, Burton is making her own opportunities for success. She says her band is coming into focus as the main component of her future.

“I think it’ll be good,” she said. “I can see it happening.”

Shannon McMahon is a contributing writer for Dublin Life.

BETA Records TV does not air in Columbus at this point, but it can be watched online at www.betarecords.com. The weekly 30-minute music show has a magazine format with segments on both mainstream and under-the-radar artists, as well as industry executives, fashion and music technology.