Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Janet Ruth Wisner Burton with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Burton celebrates many years’ experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Among the many accolades, too numerous to mention here, Burton has served as a Professor of Music at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida since 2016. Prior to this position, she served as English teacher for the gifted for Boaz High School 2008 – 2009, music teacher for Snead State Community College 2011 – 2012, music director for Fairview United Methodist Church in Boaz 2012 – 2014, music teacher at Huntland School in Tennessee 2004 – 2007, Music and Language Arts teacher for DeKalb County High Schools in Rainsville, 1999 – 2005, band teacher for Geraldine High School 1999 – 2000 and a music teacher for kindergarten through sixth grade students at the Plainview School 2000 – 2001, Program Director for the Hilltop Baptist Church and a Language Arts teacher for the Hilltop Christian Academy in Cedar Park, Texas 1997 – 1999, substitute and Interim teacher at Lake Travis Independent School District in Austin, Texas 1995 to 1999, Language Arts teacher at Lake Travis High School 1996 – 1997, Music Director with the Gault Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Payne 1995 – 1996, Band Director for the McFadden MS Magnet School of Excellence in Murfreesboro, Tennessee 1994 – 1995, English teacher and Drama Sponsor with Lincolnton High School, North Carolina 1993 – 1995, Music Director with Cornerstone Baptist Church in Maiden, North Carolina, 1992 – 1995, and a substitute teacher with Catawba County Schools in Maiden, North Carolina 1992 – 1994.
Influenced by her father, Robert Wisner, who was a Singing School teacher and organized school bands throughout DeKalb County, also starting the Plainview High School Band, Burton initially discovered her natural musical talents while attending summer Singing Schools throughout her youth. Learning about sight reading new music and amazing experience through vocal and piano lessons, she eventually performed gospel music alongside her siblings and parents as a part of the Robert and Mary Wisner Family Group as a teenager. Burton later joined a number of local gospel music quartets, and was interviewed by National Geographic in 1983.
Noted as a longstanding Instructor for Singing Schools throughout 28 states, Burton was a teacher at Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music in Tennessee, and Videt Polk’s Gospel Singers of America in Pass Christian, Mississippi, Camp Copass in Denton, Texas, Albert E. Brumley Singing in Springdale, Arkansas, and many more over the years.
After graduating from Plainview High School in 1974, Burton studied music at the National School of Music in Roanoke, Alabama, earning an Associate of Arts in music in 1978, via scholarship she enrolled with the Videt Polk’s Gospel Singers of America in 1979, completed piano lessons with James D. Walbert in Birmingham, Alabama, voice with Lee Roy Abernathy of Canton, Georgia, and Jazz music studies at Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach Junior College. Burton received an Associate Degree from Northeast Alabama Community College in 1990, a Bachelor of Science in English at Athens State University, became certified as a public school teacher in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida, a Master of Music and Master’s in Language Arts from Jacksonville State University in 2004, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with Keiser University.
Burton participated in numerous endeavors including: conducting private music lessons, helped establish (and was an instructor) the J.R. “Pap” Baxter Singing School in Fort Payne, held a number of musical posts with the First Baptist Church of Gibsonton, Florida, Rainsville First Baptist Church, Fyffe Free Holiness Church, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Lawing’s Chapel Baptist Church in North Carolina, First United Methodist Church in Scottsboro, Director of the Chancel Choir while Conducting members of Huntsville Symphony in Cantatas, and working with the youth and children’s choir.
Burton worked with Jacksonville State University as part of their Gospel Choir, Marching Southerner’s Band and Clarinet Choir. Formerly she sung in the Don Frost Gospel Music Showcase for years with Buddy Burton, Bill Shaw, Roy McNeal and Don Frost and played the Clarinet with the East Hillsborough Community Band. In recent years, Ms. Burton has developed programs for Veterans and events for Memorial Day, Black History Month and Saint Patrick’s Day at Hillsborough Community College.
Beginning in 1980, Burton composed myriad pieces for the Stamps/Baxter Gospel Music Publishing Company in Dallas, Texas, penned a Series of children’s books in the “PeeWee and Me” series, wrote songs for “The Jeffress Convention Book” of Arkansas, BMI International, and Produced a DVD with Rudiment Book, “The Do, Re, Mi’s of Music.” A Producer and Co-Host for “Gospel Music Time TV with Buddy and Janet” for four years, Burton has recorded albums with her the Premiers, Crimson Quartet, Golden Harvest, Diplomats, the Buddy Burton Trio, Cat Freeman, and Doy Ott, among others.
Ms. Burton remains affiliated with various organizations including the Tennessee Teachers Education Association, Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Association for Music Education, and Support the Arts as a contributing member in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida. As a testament to her professional influence, she was presented speech awards, elected as the Vice President of the Beta Club and the President of the Northeast Alabama Art Council. Burton has accepted a multitude of accolades including: Marquis Humanitarian Award and Top Educator Award, Journalism Award from Northeast Alabama Community College, Staff Writer for 14 years for U.S. Gospel News of Jonesborough, Arkansas, a National Award Winner for Waltz, Rumba, and Swing in Ballroom Dancing from Fred Astaire Studios in 1985, Leadership Award from Omicron Delta Kappa in 2003, inducted to the Tri-State Music Hall of Fame in 2017 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a grant from the Alabama Arts Council in 1995 for her “Do, Re, Mi’s of Music” Project, and featured in multiple editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who of American Women.
Since 1991, Burton has enjoyed live with husband, O.E. “Buddy” Burton who is himself a gospel music legend, daughter, Mara Ruth, four step-children, nine step-grandchildren, and seven step-great-grandchildren.
Currently, she enjoys playing the Organ and Bass Guitar at First Baptist Gibsonton with Buddy at the piano and vocals with the youth group. Looking toward the future, Burton hopes to continue leaving her mark in the Performing Arts while reaffirming her commitment to her Christian faith through music.