Born in Flint, Michigan, Barry began his study of music with private piano lessons at age 9. After graduating high school, his band appeared on the same bill with such seminal Michigan acts as Bob Seger, Iggy Pop, The MC5, Grand Funk Railroad and Ted Nugent. In the early 70 ’ s Barry moved to Los Angeles, where he did session work and played regularly on the Sunset Strip. Barry made the move to Toronto, Ontario after being offered the position of 

keyboardist and music director with Canadian group Edward Bear, who’s hit "The Last Song” was number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

 

After a 3 year stint with Edward Bear, Barry moved to Valdosta, 

Georgia in 1981 to pursue a degree in music from Valdosta State University, eventually graduating Magna Cum Laude with a minor in television production.

 

While in college, Barry played with jazz greats Red Rodney, Nick Brignola, Willie Thomas and Duffy Jackson. In 1993, he accepted a position with Air Force Entertainment as an arranger for their premiere entertainment troupe, Tops In Blue. In 2000 he was promoted to Music Director for Air Force Entertainment.

 

In addition to his work with the Air Force, Barry has produced several projects

including background vocals for Lea Michele’ s performance of America The Beautiful for Superbowl XLV (at the time the most-watched event in

television history) and musical arrangements for the Diamonds and the Glenn Miller Band. Additionally, Barry has written several big band arrangements recorded by the University of Nevada Jazz Ensemble, and recently signed a publishing deal with Fervor Records/Mighty Music.

 

Barry has also produced music for local and regional radio and television ads and independent album projects. His clients include Harvey’s Supermarkets, Turner’s Furniture, Video Warehouse and the 2018 Indie Music Channel’s Country Artist Of The Year, Ryan Daniel (winner of the Indie Music Channel’s 2018 Country Song Of The Year, “Like America,” produced by Barry and Rich Herring). Barry was nominated for the 2017 Indie Music Channel’s Producer Of The Year award, and won the Producer Of The Year award in 2018 for "Like America.” In 2019, Barry and Rich were inducted into the Indie Music Hall of Fame, and Barry (along with co-writer Ryan Daniel) won the Best Contemporary Songwriter of the Year award for "Monterey."

 

His studio is located on a beautiful 100 acre estate in southern Georgia, which he happily shares with his lovely wife, 2 dogs, 2 cats, assorted fish and wildlife.

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