Don Barnes

Don Barnes
Barnes with 38 Special in 2008
Barnes with 38 Special in 2008
Background information
Birth nameRichard Donald Barnes
Born (1952-12-03) December 3, 1952 (age 71)
Peoria, Illinois, United States
GenresSouthern rock
OccupationMusician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, harmonica
Years active1974–present
Member of38 Special
Spouse
(m. 2013)

Richard Donald Barnes (born December 3, 1952) is an American rock vocalist and guitarist and one of the founding members of the Southern rock band 38 Special.[1] Barnes performed lead vocals on nearly all of the group's biggest hits, including "Rockin' into the Night", "Hold On Loosely", "Caught Up in You", "If I'd Been the One", "Back Where You Belong", "Like No Other Night", "Somebody Like You", "Teacher Teacher", "Back to Paradise", "You Keep Runnin' Away" and "Fantasy Girl".

Barnes left the band in 1987 with the song "Back to Paradise" (from the movie Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise) being his final hit with them. He was replaced by Max Carl.

Barnes recorded a solo album Ride the Storm in 1989 but it was not released due to the record label (A&M Records) being sold. It featured many of the top session musicians of the time, such as Jeff Porcaro and Dann Huff. The album was co-produced by singer-songwriter Martin Briley.

Barnes rejoined 38 Special in 1992 and has remained with them ever since. As of 2021, he is the only original member still with the band.[2] His solo album was released on June 30, 2017, on MelodicRock Records.[3][4]

  1. ^ Wirt, John (April 29, 2013). "Classic .38 Special songs withstand the test of time". The Advocate.
  2. ^ "Music legend .38 Special will rock downtown Panama City on Saturday" (The Panama City News Herald, April 6, 2021)
  3. ^ "DON BARNES Lost Solo Album 'Ride the Storm' Comes to MRR". Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  4. ^ "Don Barnes of 38 Special Continues to 'Ride the Storm'." Broadway World. August 18, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.