Friday Photo Spread

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Rascal Flatts, Charlie Allen, John Rich, Robin Meade and KingBilly

(L-R): Dale Turner, Jay Demarcus, Greg Mozingo PD/WIL, Gary Levox, Danny Montana APD/MD WIL, and Joe Don Rooney

Rascal Flatts on opening night of their Unstoppable Tour in St Louis last Friday.(L-R): Lyric Street's Dale Turner, Jay DeMarcus, Greg Mozingo PD/WIL, Gary Levox, Danny Montana APD/MD WIL, and Joe Don Rooney

Front (L-R): ASCAP's Connie Bradley and Meade; Back (L-R): ASCAP's Herky Williams and John Rich

CNN Headline News anchor Robin Meade recently joined ASCAP. Front (L-R): ASCAP's Connie Bradley and Meade; Back (L-R): ASCAP's Herky Williams and John Rich

callen

Charlie Allen recently performed on Geraldo Rivera's Geraldo At Large on the FOX News Network.

BMI connected country band KingBilly with broadcast giant Clear Channel on May 27 in Texas. Pictured at the CC corporate event are (L-R) standing: CC’s Chris Mackenzie, KingBilly’s Matt Utterback, Josh Matheny, and Donny Fallgatter, CC’s Controller Susan Hicks, BMI’s Mason Hunter, CC’s VP of Finance Rick Mangum. Bottom (L-R): KingBilly’s Charlie Worsham, CC's CFO Herb Hill, KingBilly’s Kevin Weaver and John Osborne

BMI connected country band KingBilly with broadcast giant Clear Channel on May 27 in Texas. Pictured at the CC corporate event are (L-R) standing: CC’s Chris Mackenzie, KingBilly’s Matt Utterback, Josh Matheny, and Donny Fallgatter, CC’s Controller Susan Hicks, BMI’s Mason Hunter, CC’s VP of Finance Rick Mangum. Bottom (L-R): KingBilly’s Charlie Worsham, CC's CFO Herb Hill, KingBilly’s Kevin Weaver and John Osborne

Nashville On The Web: Marci Cardwell, Lefsetz on Barry Beckett

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Read music biz blogger Bob Lefsetz’s memorial tribute to the late Barry Beckett here. You can also read reactions to the article, including a note from Kenny Chesney here.

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Elsewhere online, MAC Presents owner Marci Cardwell is the subject of an extensive article and interview here.

Lifenotes: James D. Walbert

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jameswPianist James D. Walbert has died at the age of 91 near Birmingham, Alabama.

He began his career as the teenage accompanist for the famed Vaughan Quartet of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The quartet was among the acts recorded at Nashville’s very first recording sessions, in 1928. He was the grandson of the group’s founder, James D. Vaughan, “The Father of Southern Gospel Music.” After studying in Nashville, Chicago and New York, Jim Walbert became a piano teacher, composer and accompanist.

Among his students were Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires and Derrell Stewart of The Florida Boys. His songs were recorded by The Blackwood Brothers, The Statesmen Quartet, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Tennessee Ernie Ford, as well as the Vaughan Quartet.

During his long career, he accompanied such stars as Judy Garland, Red Skelton and Dick Van Dyke. He taught piano in Birmingham from 1947 to 2003.

Memorabilia from the Vaughan and Walbert families is on display in the James D. Vaughan Museum in Lawrenceburg and at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Jim Walbert died on June 7 following a long illness. He is survived by his wife Eileen, son David, daughter Pam Montenero, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He will be buried in the family plot in Lawrenceburg.

Bobby Karl Works Music Fest (6/11)

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Gretchen Wilson. Photo: Theresa Montgomery

Gretchen Wilson. Photo: Theresa Montgomery

Chapter 311

Both the start and the finish of Thursday’s CMA Music Festival concerts were marred by weather, but in between it was a blast.

Thunder rumbled, and an ominous black cloud descended on Music City as things were about to get underway at Riverfront Park. About 10 minutes before the 10:00 AM show time, the crowd was instructed to disperse, and everybody scattered to places unknown. Sure enough, lightning flashed, and a scary downpour ensued. But 10 minutes later, the fans were back and ready to rock to Gretchen Wilson.

As a result, that stage ran approximately 30 minutes behind schedule for the rest of the day. The Hard Rock, Sommet Center, Metro Courthouse, Acoustic Corner and Family Zone stages were all unaffected because they cranked up at 11:00 AM or later.

By the time I arrived downtown a little after noon, kids in the Family Zone were making a racket in the Musical Petting Zoo, Ronald McDonald was doing magic tricks in the tent, the balloon maker was hard at work and toddlers were bouncing on the inflatables.

Carrie Underwood with Haley Steele from Ga. Photo: Jim Hagans

Carrie Underwood with Haley Steele from Ga. Photo: Jim Hagans

At the Sommet Center, Steve Holy was rocking on “I’ve Got a Brand New Girlfriend,” and the Chevrolet folks were handing out blue t-shirts. Up the hill on the steps of the Ryman Auditorium, Cindy Moore was greeting fans in her Minnie Pearl outfit. This is her 30th anniversary portraying the late Opry legend. She began playing Minnie at Opryland in 1979 and was tutored in her role by Minnie, herself. Cindy joined Dave & Sugar and toured as a pop/rock vocalist before returning to Opryland and her Minnie role in the mid-1980s.

Inside the Convention Center, TelluRide was singing “Pencil Marks” to a packed audience at the Acoustic Corner, sponsored by Durango Boots. The band has just returned from shooting its video in L.A. with director Rick Schroeder, whose last country effort was the acclaimed “Whiskey Lullaby.” Bluesy Razzy Bailey was next up on that stage, shepherded by the CMA’s Brandi Simms and Aaron Hartley.

Downstairs in the Fan Fair hall, the autographing was well underway in the booths. Tanya Tucker, The Bellamy Brothers, Michael Peterson, Aaron Tippin, Chris Young, Doug Stone, Bucky Covington, Jimmy Wayne, The Whites, Craig Morgan, Jason Aldean and Trent Tomlinson were doing their duty. The new Native American band Brule was in the RFD-TV booth, since it has a program on that network. Another unusual autographing participant was the CCM group Point of Grace. Petite Carrie Underwood was being mobbed, needless to say. Preshus Tomes introduced me to former Music Row DisCovery Award winner Matt Gary. So that was fun. Reba McEntire arrived at 3:00 in the afternoon, which resulted in much hoopla.

Ashton Shepherd. Photo: Theresa Montgomery

Ashton Shepherd. Photo: Theresa Montgomery

Back down the hill at the Sommet Center stage, Caitlin & Will were powerfully singing their darkly atmospheric anti-alcohol song “I Am Not Your Friend.” In the Fun Zone on Lower Broadway, there was an Interactive Archery Experience, karaoke contests and a real Army tank to climb on and take snapshots with. Sean Patrick McGraw was rocking splendidly on the Hard Rock stage, although the vocal mix wasn’t the greatest.

The Randy Rogers Band was wowing the folks at Riverfront. Backstage schmoozing and/or working were Bruce Shindler, Regina Stuve, Clarence Spalding, Shelby Kennedy, Tony Conway, Bobette Dudley, Heather Bohn and Paul Barnabee.

While she was waiting to go on, I asked Ashton Shepherd how her autographing had gone that morning. She replied that she signed 200 in an hour. “They like me because they think I’m Real, I think,” she said. “And they come in all shapes and sizes.” She is, indeed, Real, plus delightfully country and a living doll. I am happy to report that her Riverfront performance was brilliant and received with enormous enthusiasm.

At Fort Nashboro, there is a Field & Stream Celebrity Outdoorsmen Challenge, which you can watch on bleachers under a cool, shady tent. When I was there, Julie Ingram was gamely shooting arrows at deer, boar and bear shaped targets.

Darius Rucker. Photo: John Russell

Darius Rucker. Photo: John Russell

Alas, the new stage at the Metro Courthouse seemed kinda sad when I arrived there around 2:30 PM. There were fewer than 50 people in that entire park to watch Lucas Hoge and his band, who sounded great nonetheless. This is a shame, because up there on the hill you get the best breezes. The flawless lawn is perfect for sun bathing, and if you get too hot all you have to do is take a few steps into the nearby splashing fountains, which several kiddies were doing.

Meanwhile, up on Music Row, folks parked blocks away and hiked to the ever-popular SunTrust Hot Dog Day. That evening at The Tin Roof, The Parks showcased for Carrolwood Records. The act is country music’s only father-son duo. When the music was supposed to start, they were still doing soundcheck. When it finally did, poor sound stopped the show anyway. Tom Roland, John Dorris, Rob Simbeck, the group Love & Theft, Diane Richey, Vanessa Parker and Shelia Shipley-Biddy were in the house.

That night at LP Field, fireworks exploded and jets flew over to christen the nightly CMA Fest concerts. Brooks & Dunn kicked things off. Reba appeared when they sang “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” The crowd roared when her image appeared on the jumbo video screens and cheered again every time she sang a line.

Working the room in the hospitality suite were Steve Moore, Lisa Harless, Dale Bobo, Dann Huff, the Chamber’s Butch Spyridon, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Evelyn Shriver, Hershel Walker from the Mayor’s office, Joel Katz, Ed Salamon, Ed Benson, Kira Florita, the new Universal act Fast Ryde, Herkie Williams, Susan Nadler, Jimmy Harnen and Tinti Moffatt.

Reba took the stage next, and this is where the wheels came off. After two songs by her, host Stormie Warren told the stadium crowd they’d have to leave because a storm was approaching. The exodus of thousands of people and vehicles was amazingly orderly. As we approached our car, lightning was dancing across the sky. The storm blew in less than an hour later.

The few who remained were instructed to fill the front rows at 12:30 AM. We do, after all, have a TV special to film. I am told that Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts and others performed until after 2:30 AM. I hit the hay.

Ticketmaster Strands echo Clients

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String Theory Media reporter Craig Havighurst reports that Ticketmaster Entertainment’s echomusic will shut down sites of “between 100 and 200 clients” on June 15-18. Most of those artists involved are independent and/or developing artists. echo has said there will be no refunds and most upsetting to many of the clients, there is no pathway to move their existing sites to another vendor. String Theory Media quotes an unnamed, but prominent manager of an Americana singer/songwriter, “It’s shocking. You’d think with all the years and money the artists put in they’d maybe go not the extra mile but just the extra half mile. We’re really being left with no options.”

Former echo employees confirm that echo’s platform is completely proprietary, meaning that artists being forced to move their sites must completely rebuild.

The article ties echo to corporate leader Irving Azoff and points to a series of additional inequities…[read here]

Country Benefits For Musicians On Call, Juvenile Diabetes

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Musicians On Call, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, has benefit auctions going on now, including memorabilia and concert experiences from Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood and more on www.ebay.com/moc. From June 10-21 fans can also visit http://www.cmtauctions.com/ to bid on items from Darius Rucker, Chris Young, and Sugarland.

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The 13th annual Ultimate Country Golf Classic, presented by Bass Pro Shops and benefitting the Middle Tennessee Branch of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, is set for Tues., June 16 at the Vanderbilt Legends Club. Country singers Colt Ford, Matt Stillwell, TelluRide and members of Waymore’s Outlaws are slated to participate in the event, and rocker Tiffany Shea will perform during lunch. Playing spots are still available at $250 ($175 is tax deductible), as well as sponsorships by contacting Kelley Robbins at [email protected].

In Color: Jeffrey Steele, Nashville In Napa, and Dierks Bentley

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, Jody Williams, Mary Loving, and David Preston, with (seated) 3 Ring Circus’s Casey LeVasseur, Jeffrey Steele, and Stephanie LeVasseur

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, Jody Williams, Mary Loving, and David Preston, with (seated) 3 Ring Circus’s Casey LeVasseur, Jeffrey Steele, and Stephanie LeVasseur

Perennial hitmaker Jeffrey Steele carved time out of his busy schedule to celebrate the success of his No. 1 single “Here” at a private dinner hosted by BMI at Fleming’s on Monday, June 8. Recorded by Rascal Flatts, “Here” marks Steele’s eighth No. 1 hit, four of which have been recorded by the band. Steele and the top-selling trio’s past collaborations include “These Days,” “My Wish,” and “What Hurts the Most.”

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(L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, SunTrust's Lori Stone, songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall, Jessica & Frank Rogers, and Debi Cali Photo: Alan Mayor

(L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, SunTrust's Lori Stone, songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall, Jessica & Frank Rogers, and Debi Cali, Photo: Alan Mayor

Producer Frank Rogers is spearheading a new charity called NOTES that will fund programs that bring music, art and literacy to school age children. He co-founded the initiative with Debi Cali of Baldacci Family Vineyards in Napa Valley, CA. Rogers announced the first fundraiser yesterday at ASCAP. Nashville in Napa will take place Sat., Aug. 1 at the Baldacci Family Vineyards, including performances by Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall and others, and food and wine by Napa chefs and winemakers. www.NashvilleInNapa.com
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(L-R): CMT Host Lance Smith; Director of Public Affairs, CMT One Country Lucia Folk; and Dierks Bentley; Photo: Ben Wilder

(L-R): CMT Host Lance Smith; CMT One Country Dir. of Public Affairs Lucia Folk; and Dierks Bentley; Photo: Ben Wilder

Dierks Bentley stopped by CMT Top 20 Countdown to chat with host Lance Smith about his latest video, “Sideways,” which is making its way up the countdown, as well as his new partnership with CMT One Country to bring his annual “Miles & Music For Kids” fundraiser nationwide, with proceeds benefiting Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The “Miles & Music For Kids” kick off event will be held at Nashville’s Riverfront Park on Sun., Oct. 11.

Evergreen: Barker Leaves, Drops ICG Moniker

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john-barker-08John Barker resigned his position as President of Integrated Copyright Group (ICG) and Vice President of Evergreen Copyright Administration on Monday.

Following that, today Evergreen co-CEOs David Schulhof and Richard Perna announced that ICG has formally changed its company name to EverGreen Copyrights. All ICG remaining staff will continue as employees of EverGreen.

ICG, the Nashville-based global independent administration company now in its nineteenth year, was built by Barker and purchased by Evergreen more than three years ago. During this time he says, “many positive changes have occurred, including adding a number of very talented and experienced personnel. This progression has brought us to the point where I can now step away and know that the company will continue to provide the excellent services it always has.”

Barker will remain a stock holder in Evergreen Copyrights, and will stay on as a consultant for them for at least 12 months. His old email addresses should also continue to work.

Bobby Karl Works Music Fest (6/10)

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Chapter 310

The CMA Music Festival always starts before it’s supposed to. There has already been plenty of activity, including a superstar sighting.

Alan Jackson isn’t “officially” playing the fest this year, but Wednesday night (6/10) he took over Cadillac Ranch on Lower Broadway to celebrate his 20th anniversary. It was this month in 1989 that he signed his recording contract with Arista Records.

“This is a great way to start the CMA Music Festival,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. “He’s a great artist with a great career.” Dean brought on the CMA’s Tammy Genovese, who in turn introduced the crowd to Kix Brooks.

“We’re on the same record label,” said Kix. He recalled that Alan was already at Arista when he arrived. The company didn’t want two more male solo acts, so Kix and Ronnie were combined to create Brooks & Dunn. “I’m proud to call him my labelmate.”

Kix introduced a CMA video tribute and presented the superstar with a framed photo collage of great Alan Jackson CMA awards show moments.

“We’ve been down a lot of roads together at Arista Records,” responded Alan. “This is too much attention for an ol’ country boy – 20 years at Arista, it’s hard to believe. We’re gonna play you some music, keep it laid back and see what happens.”

While cell phones and cameras flashed, he kicked things off with “Here in the Real World,” “Gone Country,” “I Don’t Even Know Your Name,” “Living on Love,” “Tall Tall Trees” and “Like Red on a Rose.” By the way, Alan’s current “Sissy’s Song” is his 50th top-10 hit.

V.I.P. attendees included Peter Cooper, Diane Pearson, Diana Baron, Hank Adam Locklin, Chuck Ainlay, Allen Brown, Deborah Evans Price, John Huie, Lon Helton, Tom Baldrica, Karen Clark and Rod Essig.

Fans got in on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dozens who didn’t make the cut, stood outside on the sidewalk listening and hoping for a glimpse of the towering Alan.

Every honky tonk on Lower Broad was blasting music out the doors into the breezy evening air. In addition to Cadillac Ranch, the one to be inside was Robert’s Western World. That’s where former BR5-49 frontman Chuck Mead was celebrating his solo CD.

Ah, the humanity. From toddlers in strollers to grannies in wheelchairs, the CMA Music Festival attracts ‘em all. In the downtown crowd for the festival’s kick-off parade (6/10) were hot young chicks in short-shorts, tattooed bikers, fat mall people, shirtless body builders, giddy teens, senior citizens, Latinos, blacks and LOTS of whites.

(L-R): Lonestar's Cody Collins and Michael Britt, Diamond Music Group's Megan Munroe, and Lonestar's Keech Rainwater and Dean Sams. Photo: Martha Moore

(L-R): Lonestar's Cody Collins and Michael Britt, Diamond Music Group's Megan Munroe, and Lonestar's Keech Rainwater and Dean Sams. Photo: Martha Moore

The throng stretched along both sides of Broadway from 8th to 3rd Avenues. After rounding the corner of 3rd and Demonbreun, the paraders were greeted by another large crowd at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame park. This event drew far more fans than ever before.

Storme Warren and Jon Anthony co-hosted for a national broadcast on Sirius XM radio. “Make some noise!” yelled Jon. The crowd hollered back loudly.

Nashville motorcycle cops came down Broadway in formation, with blue lights flashing. Mounted patrolmen followed. The Music City Drum & Bugle Corps marched in crisp red and white uniforms, playing, appropriately, “Strike Up the Band.” Parade grand marshal Rodney Atkins waved from the bed of a red Chevy Silverado pickup truck. Nearly all the stars in the parade rode either in the beds of Silverados or in convertible Corvettes, since Chevy is the sponsor.

Gliding by were LoCash Cowboys (tossing spongy softballs to the fans), Trent Tomlinson, Due West (at their first CMA Fest), NASCAR star Jeff Burton and Shawn Patrick McGraw (who’s landed a spot on the Toby Keith tour). The Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee walked and waved.

Storme introduced Deborah Allen as “the country-music Charro,” adding that, “she’s a one-woman party machine.” “You’re ageless,” he exclaimed to The Oak Ridge Boys. Oak Joe Bonsall was taking cell-phone movies of the crowd from their perch on the pickup. The Lost Trailers tossed chap sticks into the sea of waving hands. Ricochet, Lonestar, Mandy Barnett, Megan Munroe (who is writing a novel) and a t-shirt tossing Chris Young delighted the crowd.

Michael Peterson rode the FFA float being pulled by a New Holland tractor, one of the few non-Chevy vehicles. A banner-waving crew, blow-up streamers and giant red balloons led the way for racer Robert Richardson, Lynn Anderson (singing “Rose Garden” for Storme’s mic), Steve Holy, Bo Bice (he’s gone country) and The Carter Twins.

Predators mascot Gnash and Titans mascot T-Rac hammed it up for onlookers. When clown Ronald McDonald appeared, Storme hilariously and unintentionally introduced him as “Richie McDonald.” The motorcycle-roaring Operation Troop Aid rolled by, trailed by an army Humvee, another non-Chevy entrant.

Jypsi, Bomshel, Sunny Sweeney, Caitlin & Will, The Roys, Brady Seals, Dan Evans (of TV’s The Biggest Loser), Rio Grand, Colt Ford and Heartland were next. Louisiana native Sammy Kershaw tossed Mardi Gras beads. One Flew South were trio harmonizing as they breezed by. The Championship Bull Riders shared a truck with Trent Willmon. The next vehicles held Brad Cotter, Katie Armiger, Sarah Darling, Ty Herndon, somebody in a giraffe costume, Kate & Kacey and “Minnie Pearl.” Mounted patrolmen brought up the rear.

Meanwhile, in the Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Broadway, Stan Hitchcock was autographing copies of his new book, At the Corner of Music Row and Memory Lane. The longtime TV personality and former country record maker drew a nice crowd of snapshot takers and autograph seekers. The new Opry Originals gift shop was also packed.

After the parade came the kick-off concert at the Sommet Center stage. This, too, was carried by Sirius XM. Booked to star were Jason Michael Carroll, James Otto, Emerson Drive, LoCash Cowboys, The Lost Trailers, Rodney Atkins, Trent Tomlinson and Eric Church.

This was not the first Festival noise made by either Trent or Eric. During Lonestar’s fifth annual bowling tournament on Monday (6/8), Trent Tomlinson bowled a stunning 215. The event, which raises funds for St. Jude’s, also featured Buddy Jewell, Meagan Mullins, Bo Bice, Chris Young and more. Meanwhile, at the second annual Porter Wagoner fishing tournament held Tuesday (6/9), the Eric Church team came in first, landing a whopping 18.43 pounds of bass.

Eric’s current “Love Your Love the Most” single contains the line, “smallmouth bass have got me hooked.” “In just this one instance, I’ll allow for a lyric change, to ‘largemouth bass have got me hooked,’” says Eric. “Or maybe we could just say that, right now, I love the whole species.” Jeff Cook’s team came in second. Dean Brody’s team placed third. Veteran anglers Mel Tillis and Bobby Bare also competed. The event grew this year from 27 to 37 boats. The fish, by the way, are returned to Percy Priest Lake to swim away.

Winning fisherman Eric might set the CMA Music Festival performance record this year. In addition to the Sommet Center show on Wednesday, he’s playing at Riverfront on Friday afternoon and three late-night, sold-out shows at The Rutledge on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Also on Tuesday (6/9), a capacity crowd filled The Nashville Palace for the Loretta Johnson Memorial Concert. Dubbed “For the Love of IFCO,” the gig replaced the annual IFCO Fan Fair show to honor the late Loretta, who co-founded IFCO and died of bone marrow cancer on April 13. More than 20 acts were booked, and every single one of them and more showed up, on time, to perform. Bryan White, Linda Davis, Jimmie Van Zant, Steve Hall & Shotgun Red, Moore & Moore, new Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy, Billy Yates, Jack Greene and David Ball signed on, as did host Keith Bilbrey.

Lifenotes: Barry Beckett

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barry-beckett-991Renowned producer Barry Beckett (1943-2009) passed away peacefully at his home last night, June 10, surrounded by family. His storied career ranged from Muscle Shoals musician to Nashville producer. We will post arrangements as they become available.

Beckett was born February 4, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama. He spent many years as part of the house band at acclaimed Fame studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, originally stepping in to fill the keyboard slot vacated by Spooner Oldham. In the late sixties he became part of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

While at Fame in the seventies and eighties, he played keys on hits including “I’m Your Puppet” (James and Bobby Purify), and “When A Man Loves A Woman” (Percy Sledge), as well as classics by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, Joe Cocker, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, and the Oak Ridge Boys.

He began his production career with acts like Seger, Dylan “Slow Train Coming,” Dire Straits “Communiqué,” Delbert McClinton “The Jealous Kind,” and Glenn Frey. Beckett’s first hit came with The Sanford Townsend Band’s “Smoke From A Distant Fire.” Mary MacGregor’s “Torn Between Two Lovers” was his first No. 1 record on the pop charts.

Beckett moved to Nashville to head Warner Bros.’s A&R department, during which time he co-produced Hank Williams Jr. alongside Jim Ed Norman. “Montana Café’” and “Hank Live” both went Gold, and “Born To Boogie” went Platinum, winning CMA Album Of The Year in 1988. Beckett left Warner in 1987 to concentrate on his production career. He has had No. 1 Country records with Eddy Raven, Lorrie Morgan, Alabama, Lionel Cartwright, and Lee Roy Parnell. He also helmed production for Asleep At The Wheel, Kenny Chesney, Jason & The Scorchers, Neal McCoy, KT Oslin, Lee Roy Parnell, and others.

Barry eventually merged back into Rock ‘n’ Roll, producing Grammy nominated Etta James as well as Lynyrd Skynrd, Phish, and Ian Moore. In the early ‘90s, he began producing international acts. He also had much success with the multi-Platinum group Confederate Railroad and Neal McCoy. And in 1994, produced the late Tammy Wynette’s album of duets “Without Walls,” which included such great artists as Sting, Elton John, Aaron Neville, Smokey Robinson, and Wynonna among others.

He is survived by wife Diane and their two sons Matthew, and Mark.