2nd December 2022
Press Release from Jouls Papp – Secretary BMV
Barry is the founder of Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society which supports Youth in Blues and local blues artists with annual competitions for a chance to appear in Memphis International Blues Awards. Barry, along with Helen Jennings, sat on the newly formed committee for the first 2 years, as the Youth in Blues Coordinator & Advisor, with Helen as the Treasurer, Promotions Coordinator & Advisor.
Barry was the Production Manager for The Melbourne Blues Festival, co-produced by his partner, Helen Jennings & Rae Sedergreen. The festival was proudly Australian, showcasing many acts, both local & Interstate, running from 1987-1996, starting at The Corner Hotel, then moving to The Palace, St Kilda.
Barry formed Blues Club Records which released not only Dutch Tilders recordings but licensed other great Australian acts like The Backsliders, Marco Goldsmiths’ Blue Heat, Rocket 88’s, Lil’ Fi and Delta Rhythm Kings. Barry received producer of the year for Dutch Tilders album Blues is my Life and went on to produce three more albums for Dutch. Barry continued his producing skills with award winning Real Australian Blues Vol 1, 2, 3 and 4 which showcased nearly 100 Blues bands from around Australia. During this time Barry produced a promotional CD, The Beat Inside, which featured Lloyd Spiegel’s’ first recording session, Billy Kavanagh, Marco Goldsmith Band and Sue Nightingale and Lazy James Band. Deep South was a successful compilation of South Australian blues bands which became a starting point for the South Australian Blues Club “Deep South.” In 2007 Barry was awarded Producer of the Year for new up and coming blues trio Lyman Debut.
Over the years Barry played with other well-known Melbourne bands like Lazy James Band, Hoochie Coochie Boys, The Mojo’s, Joe Galea Band and Dirty Rivers.
In 2008, Barry took a break from performing and concentrated on his full-time job as a Community Transport team leader for the local council where he still works today. Barry’s long-time partner, Helen Jennings OAM, has a long running radio show, Roots of Rhythm on PBS 106.7, which meant contact with the music scene always continued.
In 2018 Barry decided to return to the music scene with an innovative approach. His idea was to form a group of session players who could easily adapt their playing styles to whatever the main artist required. After talking to a couple of musicians he had worked with over the years, their enthusiasm created confidence that this project would be possible. Early 2019 Phill Raymond contacted Barry and said he was looking at putting together a 6 track EP and would he play bass. Barry had worked with Phill in the late 80’s and Barry suggested his session group and producing the project to which Phill was delighted. After a couple of rehearsals, the 6 track EP was basically recorded in one session; amazing the engineer, Chris “Darkie” Wilson and everyone involved. Phill Raymond’s Lovin’ Every Day of These Blues went into the top ten of the Australian Blues and Roots and other European blues charts and introduced Phill to a new audience.
In November 2022 Barry was inducted into the Blues Music Victoria Hall of Fame as an Industry Icon together with partner Helen Jennings.
Currently Barry is a freelance bass player/producer and is working on various musical projects including Blues Music Victoria ambassador and highly respected performer, Kelly Auty. Just recently Barry has joined the Blues Music Victoria committee and looks forward to continuing his support of the Blues music scene.