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An Odessa Update

Aug 11, 2020
1 min

An Odessa Update

I’ve got just a minute before I need to get back in the booth and record the last few songs on my new album, ODE TO ODESSA; but, in the meantime, I need your help with something. To celebrate the half-way point on the ODE TO ODESSA campaign, I’m going to “unlock” a special upgrade this week. Between the Indiegogo campaign and other outside donations, the project is 56% funded - $840 of $1500. So, if we can surpass the $1000 mark this week, I’m going to upgrade the T-shirts to

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The Art of the Pandemic

Aug 2, 2020
2 min

The Art of the Pandemic

I haven't written much lately about Covid-19 and its effects on us freelancers. The "comeback" for us Ohioans began just before Memorial Day weekend and, for the most part, all of my shows have been well attended by enthusiastic folks who have simply wanted to get back out and have fun. And it's been fun, certainly nice to be back out and see friends and followers. Some of my colleagues are choosing not to play, and I get that. But, since music is my main source of income,

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The Memory Vault

Jul 30, 2020
1 min

The Memory Vault

There's something to be said for time. You never really notice how quickly life shifts until you have the perspective of years. I've spent nearly thirty years writing music; but, when I perform one of those early songs, like "Justin Climbed a Tree," it seems surreal that this tune has been floating around my head for close to three decades. Ah, but there is proof - a grainy VHS tape from August 1992. And, jeez. I think I still have that shirt somewhere . . . Guess I'll have t

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Wanna Be a VIP?

Jul 28, 2020
1 min

Wanna Be a VIP?

It's been an exhausting, exhilarating week of work on the new Ode to Odessa album; and, I'm thrilled with the results so far. I can't wait to share this new music with you! But while you wait for the album's Halloween launch, take a look at another fabulous new addition to the Rick Barr Music website - The Backstage Pass. Friends, this is where every exciting thing in my music career is going to find a home . . . photos, videos, my complete music library, memories, and so muc

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Sing Along Sunday

Jul 26, 2020
1 min

Sing Along Sunday

When I'm out at a show, it's always a boost when folks start to sing along. And, there are some songs where you just can't seem to help yourself, right? So, on a sultry summer afternoon, take a deep breath and join me in a perennial favorite: And, hey! It's always great when you folks pass stuff along to others. I really appreciate it. Just use one of the convenient "share" buttons below. And thanks for singing along! #RickBarrMusic #Barr26Entertainment #RockyTop #OsborneBrot

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Fringe Benefits

Jul 24, 2020
1 min

Fringe Benefits

Well, now I've done it. I've opened a can of worms. Ewww! That's disgusting, right? HA! Actually, it's pretty cool (worms aside). See, as part of the Ode to Odessa campaign, I've come up with a dozen terrific perk packages for my supporters. And one of those "can't get this anywhere else" kind of things is the custom songwriting benefit. Got an anniversary coming up? Need an idea for a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift? Well, here ya go! I mean, really! No one else is going to hav

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The Great Boot Debacle

Jul 23, 2020
1 min

The Great Boot Debacle

These boots! Man, these things have been with me for a while; and, somehow they've come to represent Rick Barr Music. But, their soul, er, um, I mean sole has come and gone - DOA according to the cobbler. So, I did the only sane thing and replaced them. But it just isn't the same. So, I am on the prowl for a new pair of boots and I'd like to enlist your help! Send me your ideas, friends - all the better if you have a photo and purchase link. Your kind assistance is most appre

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Have You Looked at Your Calendar?

Jul 21, 2020
1 min

Have You Looked at Your Calendar?

Yep, it's the third Tuesday of July, which means I'm hosting my annual celebration where I played my first open MIC, at The Dolphin Lounge in Gahanna! It's been eight years since those four nervous songs were played, and I owe a lot to Lori, Thom, and so many others who helped me turn this into a career. So, I'm hosting the open MIC, and would love to see you! They've completely overhauled EVERYTHING, from the floors and walls, to the patio and, most importantly, the sound s

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Exciting Changes!

Jul 19, 2020
1 min

Exciting Changes!

There's something new in the Rick Barr universe! And I'm thrilled to show off the updated website for Barr26 Entertainment, which includes RickBarrMusic.com The upheaval surrounding COVID-19 has hit a lot of businesses especially hard - including venues, restaurants, and subsequently, musicians. As a result, I'm re-calibrating and focusing a lot of my energy on creating new music! Consequentially, I took a big step and revamped my online home - the RickBarrMusic.com website.

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NEW MUSIC! Ode to Odessa

Jul 13, 2020
4 min

NEW MUSIC! Ode to Odessa

Music promotes community, drives our spirits, and celebrates the nuances of life. It is the “universal language of mankind;” and, it drives me in new directions each day. So, to the music fans and the guitar lovers; you are the supporters that spur my songwriting endeavors. And when you participate in this limited-time, exclusive crowdfunding project, you officially become a muse that fuels my creativity. In 1986, my parents honored my creative flair and planted the first see

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Back to Business

Apr 17, 2020
3 min

Back to Business

We’re getting close. Aren’t we? It’s mid-April, and since the end of March, we’ve been gearing up for the first of May. Does that sound a bit convoluted? Perhaps, if you hadn’t been living in our world for the last two months. But, you get it. We’ve been in a lockdown for nearly a month, and have been told that, with any luck, we’d be back in business by the time May rolled around. Well, as April moved into its second week, that idea seemed more like a fairy tale. As the numb

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Displacement

Apr 1, 2020
4 min

Displacement

Along with my work as a voice over actor, I’m also a full-time musician, performing shows and hosting events regularly in and around central Ohio. While I just quit my day job three years ago to pursue my creative pursuits full-time, I’ve been involved in the music scene for several years. I perform shows mostly on weekends, retirement homes throughout the week, and host an open MIC every Monday. In February, the COVID-19 virus arrived in the US, starting in Washington and, s

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Livecasts

Feb 16, 2019
1 min

Livecasts

I started doing weekly livecasts on Facebook, for both music and voice overs. I'm alternating one each week. For music, I'm simply providing updates on upcoming shows, then playing some music. For voice overs, I've been narrating sections of audio books I've recorded. Here's the latest from each: Voice Over Music It's been fun to do these, and interact with folks who enjoy following me, yet don't get much insight into exactly what I do. I'll be digging into the recording and

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February 2019 Showdates

Jan 29, 2019
1 min

February 2019 Showdates

Here's my schedule for February. As I'd promised myself at the beginning of the year, I am scheduling a tiny bit lighter. I might like to add one more show, but otherwise this is going to be a fun month! FEB1 Rick Barr LIVE at Kindred! Fri 7 PM · Kindred · Columbus FEB2 Rick Barr LIVE at Brewery 33! Sat 4 PM · Brewery 33 Hocking Hills, LLC · Logan FEB4 MIC Night at Stadz Pizzeria with Rick Barr and Friends! Mon 6 PM · Stadz Pizzeria · Blacklick FEB8 Rick Barr LIVE at Leap N L

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Big Bird Retires, 2019 Gets Busy & More

Jan 20, 2019
2 min

Big Bird Retires, 2019 Gets Busy & More

Big Bird Retires! This is a short, but pretty interesting article about the voice of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. At least, if you grew up watching Sesame Street, which I did. It's amazing, and rare, to find people who have had the opportunity to be the voice of a character for multiple generations. James Earl Jones is another who continues to do occasional work as Darth Vader, and has provided his pipes for the new Lion King movie out this spring. While I don't have anythi

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January 2019 Showdates

Dec 27, 2018
1 min

January 2019 Showdates

Here's my schedule for the first month of the year! Note the break the second weekend of the month...I'll be in Florida on a rare vacation, so things will be quiet for several days. But the rest of the month is pretty jam packed, including a few retirement home shows. JAN4 Rick Barr LIVE at Wyandotte Winery! Fri 7 PM · Wyandotte Winery · Columbus JAN5 Soul Revival Sat 8 PM · The Point on Main Street · Columbus JAN6 Rick Barr LIVE at Hidden Lakes Winery! Sun 2 PM · Hidden Lake

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The December 2018 Live Music Schedule!

Nov 29, 2018
1 min

The December 2018 Live Music Schedule!

December is, naturally, a bit lighter due to the holidays, but there are still plenty of chances to catch a show or open MIC: Sunday, 12/2/18, 2-5pm Hidden Lakes Winery in Canal Winchester Monday, 12/3/18, 6-9pm MIC Night at Stadz Pizzeria with Rick Barr and Friends! Friday, 12/7/18, 7-10pm Caribbean Jerks in Powell Saturday, 12/8/18, 8-11pm Tavern At The Creek in Galena Monday, 12/10/18, 6-9pm MIC Night at Stadz Pizzeria with Rick Barr and Friends! Saturday, 12/15/18, 4-7pm

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Connections & Holidays

Nov 19, 2018
2 min

Connections & Holidays

As we head into Thanksgiving and, I suppose, the official start of the Christmas season (though I know plenty of folks who have had their trees set up since Halloween), I'm very thankful once again that I have the opportunity to do work that I love and share it with others. Whether it's restoring an old photograph of a loved one, or playing a song that has a special connection to a couple, I'm always touched when those moments happen. Saturday, I performed at Hocking Hills W

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Getting the Family Involved

Nov 11, 2018
2 min

Getting the Family Involved

I played a couple of shows this past weekend at familiar venues, ones that I've been playing for a few years. They're like comfort zones in a way, where you know what kind of music the respective crowds like, yet can also feel free to experiment a bit. I tried out some new tunes I've learned from Nirvana and Queen, and received useful feedback on them. But the highlight of the weekend had to be when my sister, Kelli, got on stage Saturday with her ukulele during my mid-show

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Rick's November Live Music Schedule!

Nov 1, 2018
1 min

Rick's November Live Music Schedule!

Even though this info is available on FaceBook and elsewhere on this site, I've had folks asking for more heads-up on where I'll be, so they can make appropriate plans (I assume, to come out and see me). This Thanksgiving is one where my wife Tamara and I will be out of town, visiting her family, so it's unusually light in terms of quantity. Ah, but the quality! It'll be so good. Here's my schedule: Fri, NOV 2: Caribbean Jerks 7-10PM, Lewis Center, OH Sun, NOV 4: Hidden La

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