Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon

Artist Information

Biography

The Santa Cruz Sentinel says Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon "take a sophisticated approach to their contemporary Folk and Americana."

Ronn Owens of KGO Radio San Francisco just says "wow, that's smooth!"

Jumping the lines between acoustic soul and folk rock, Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon create a place where you can relax in the comfort of the groove - and know you’re going to leave smiling and just a little more hopeful. The first thing you’ll notice is the blend of their harmonies, along with rhythmic guitar that drives a compelling tension and release. Greg’s guitar pushes - Bev’s voice pulls - together exploring life, love and the pursuit of something real. The connection they have with each other flows through the audience with each song and story, each poignant note and each moment of laughter.

Building on a background of performing jazz, classical and American contemporary music as a woodwind player, Bev Barnett has a gift for delivering the essence of a song. Her voice has been called angelic - but with the ability to ‘turn down the sheets.’ Sometimes you hear the honeyed tones of Mary Chapin Carpenter, and sometimes you hear hints of Sade.

Newlon has been called a 'deliberate' guitarist and a 'natural picker' who, with his casual yet emphatic style, brings you to an effortless place of comfort. His guitar and vocal arrangements are the result of a long and varied musical journey from his rock beginnings combined with a background in musical theatre and barbershop, to the country rock sound of Aspen in the late 1970s and more recently through blues, country and modern folk. All of these influences have shaped his unique, contemporary acoustic style.

Newlon also conducts workshops and private lessons on partial capo technique and guitar accompaniment for singer-songwriters.


WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT BEV BARNETT AND GREG NEWLON

"Fantastic live performance. Its amazing that so much warmth can come from just two guitars and two voices."
-- Eric Behlmer, Barn Concerts

"Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon present a professional, well rounded and wonderful collaboration of well crafted songs. Both are seasoned musicians and the vocal blend is terrific!"
-- Jimmy Goings, GFI Entertainment/Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival

"In a world of fast food and empty calories, Bev and Greg are real food. Their songs speak their truth - and do it well.”
-- Cosy Sheridan

“Liquid vocals to melt your heart … guitar work that dances …. songs that make a difference … Bev and Greg are the real deal.”
-- Jan Garrett & JD Martin, POSI-award winning New Thought singer/songwriters

HOUSE CONCERT HOST RECOMMENDATIONS
“From start to finish, the kick off of our 2009 season featuring Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon was as good as house concerts get. With gorgeous harmonies and wonderful songs, an evening with this couple will leave you believing in them as much as they believe in each other.”
- Dave and Cindy Arsenault, Cameron Park House Concerts

“Building a stable bridge between roots Americana and contemporary folk music has become the life’s work for Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon, while making sure the human heart and soul never gets lost along the way. The remarkable fit of their voices means coming along for the ride is a refreshing treat for those of us having the pleasure of their musical company.”
-- Fred Munroe, Musica del Rio House Concerts

"Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon performed beautifully and made converts out of everyone present. It was a thrilling and heart-enlarging experience." -- Walter Slater-Lundsford, Desert Songs

"Warm and wonderful people. Bev and Greg's music is captivating. We plan to have them back!" -- Lisa DeChiara, Angel's Serenity

"talented performers with a gentle timeless feel."
-- Mark Whittington
San Jose Mercury News

"Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon spin a winning quilt of folk, country and pop. Each has a strong lead voice. Harmonies are soft and sweet, in the Crosby, Stills and Nash vein."
-- Paul Freeman, Palo Alto Daily News

"Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon "effortlessly channel the intimate, casual atmospheres of cozy living rooms and warm hearths with their wholesome acoustic folk and earthy vocals."
-- Good Times Santa Cruz

"Skillful, crystalline guitar, superb songwriting and soulful, harmonious vocals characterize this acoustic masterpiece."
- David Stafford, host of the Friday Folk Off Program on KKUP

Instrumentation

Bev Barnett - Vocals, Gutiar
Greg Newlon - Vocals, Guitar

Discography

2011: Love Can Change The World, from graceful acoustic to roots Americana underscored by lyrical passion and inventive arrangements layered with tight harmonies, tasteful acoustic guitar voicings, bluesy electric guitar rants and a rhythm that keeps in in the groove - and in the moment.

2007: Any Doorway Will Do, 12 original songs about life, love and the pursuit of something real

2006: A Peek Behind the Door, 4-song promotional preview release prior to the 2007 of release Any Doorway will Do

2006: TrueWind Music 2006 Compilation, promotional sampler CD of Northern California independent musicians (two tracks)

2005: New Modern Christmas Classics, a compilation CD of finalists in the International Christmas Song Contest (one track)

2004: Starry, Starry Night, a collection of original Christmas songs and contemporary arrangements of favorite carols, including two dazzling Newlon instrumentals

2003: Self-titled EP Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon

Links

• You Tube Channel
• Facebook
• Twitter
• ReverbNation Page

Audio

• Love Can Change The World
  Listen  
• Listen
  Listen  
• What Makes A Man - Acoustic Version
  Listen  
• Everyday's Back In Town
  Listen  
• Sonnet
  Listen  
• Let The Walls Come Down
  Listen  
• There's A Light
  Listen  
• I Found Myself
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Love Can Change The World
• Sonnet
• What Makes A Man
• Listen
• I Found Myself
• Let The Walls Come Down

Video

Live Webcast from Kulak's Woodshed, North Hollywood California

Photo Gallery

Press

• Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon [+ Show ]
  

  Its an evening for sweethearts as two musical couples take the stage to share their songs at Don Qui...Its an evening for sweethearts as two musical couples take the stage to share their songs at Don Quixotes. Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon take a sophisticated approach to their contemporary folk and Americana music and their song "Lover's Story" was featured on KGO radio's "The Best Music You've Never Heard" earlier this year....
  
  Best Bets, Wed. April 8, 2009

• The Best Music You've Never Heard [+ Show ]
  

  An annual tradition on KGO talk radio in the San Francisco Bay Area is a special program called The ...An annual tradition on KGO talk radio in the San Francisco Bay Area is a special program called The Best Music You've Never Heard. Music critic Brad Kava joined host Ronn Owens on January 30, 2009 to listen to and critique 38 song clips from unsigned Bay Area artists.
  
  Listen to a short clip (less than 2 minutes) of Ronn & Brad's review of Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon's song, Lovers Story.
  
  http://www.truewindmusic.com/KGO.mp3

• Music Connection Magazine: Song Biz [+ Show ]
  

  July 30, 2007 by Dan Kimpel Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon, featured in MC's recent cover story o...July 30, 2007
  
  by Dan Kimpel
  
  Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon, featured in MC's recent cover story on music and spirituality, have released Any Doorway Will Do, a luminous collection of songs that shine with a soulful spirit. Visit the Northern-California duo at www.truewindmusic.com
  

• Any Doorway Will Do [+ Show ]
  

  Skillful, crystalline guitar, superb songwriting and soulful, harmonious vocals characterize this ac...Skillful, crystalline guitar, superb songwriting and soulful, harmonious vocals characterize this acoustic masterpiece. Greg Newlon & Bev Barnett have touched all the bases here. Bev has a voice that soars to great heights with outstanding range and command, while Greg has a sturdy, powerful voice that connects with everyone who listens.
  
  All of the tracks are good, but listen especially to "Lover's Story," "Eloise," and "Roll With The Punches." "Eloise" speaks directly to those of us who have aging parents and are dealing with those related issues, while "Roll with the Punches" deals with the learning experiences of our collective youth. "Lovers Story" is just a damn good song.
  
  The excellent recording quality allows this recording to be used for demonstration purposes. Newlon's Guitar seems to jump out of the recording and right into the listener's ear. This is a rare quality in any recording.
  

• Endless Music Tastes Found on MySpace [+ Show ]
  

  BEV BARNETT & GREG NEWLON Campbell residents Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon spin a winning quilt of f...BEV BARNETT & GREG NEWLON
  Campbell residents Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon spin a winning quilt of folk, country and pop. Each has a strong lead voice. Harmonies are soft and sweet, in the Crosby, Stills and Nash vein. Their song "Roll with the Punches" will have you singing along. You'll find a long list of the duo's upcoming shows on their MySpace page. The couple is very involved the the local music community, hosting the True Wind Music Concert Series. Barnett is on the West Coast Songwriters board of directors and the planning committee for Folk Alliance Region West's conference, scheduled for Nov. 17-19 in Sacramento.
  www.myspace.com/bevandgreg
  
  by Paul Freeman
  Nov. 10, 2006

• Good Times Santa Cruz [+ Show ]
  

  December 13-19, 2007 Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon effortlessly channel the intimate, casual atmosphe...December 13-19, 2007
  
  Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon effortlessly channel the intimate, casual atmospheres of coy living rooms and warm hearths with their wholesome acoustic folk and earthy vocals. Simple themes of goodwill, everyday miracles, love and self-acceptance weave their way through the duo's 2007 disc Any Doorway Will Do.
  

• KKUP 91.5 FM [+ Show ]
  

  This Christmas CD manages to be refreshingly different and original, while still evoking that timele...This Christmas CD manages to be refreshingly different and original, while still evoking that timeless classic feel we want from music at Christmas time.
  
  Bev and Greg have an honest, unpretentious delivery that makes them a delight to listen to.
  
  This CD will be a welcome addition to any Christmas collection.

• Holiday Mix: This Year's Seasonal CDs are Out to Compete with the Classics [+ Show ]
  

  Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon, ``Starry, Starry Night'' (self published) -- South Bay folk music fans ...Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon, ``Starry, Starry Night'' (self published) -- South Bay folk music fans might know Barnett and Newlon as the promoters behind the TrueWind Concert series. But the Los Gatans are also are talented performers, and their album has a gentle, timeless feel. There are some traditional carols and a fine cover of Carol McComb's ``The Christmas Star.'' But the true joy is the duo's originals, including the beautiful ``If I Can't Sing with You This Christmas.'' You can find it at www.gregandbev.com or http://cdbaby.com.

• ChristmasReviews.com [+ Show ]
  

  Sometimes, I get a pregnant feeling of anticipation about a CD long before I ever hear a note. There...Sometimes, I get a pregnant feeling of anticipation about a CD long before I ever hear a note. There's something about the cover, the liner notes' and Website descriptions, the artists' demeanor--just every little thing conveys the message that Starry, Starry Night is a truly special album. And indeed it is.
  
  For folk music junkies, this is heaven on earth, the mother lode. Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon are two kindred souls who found each other across a sparkling universe. The liner photo tells the story--Greg and Bev leaning their faces together, with a heavy line of old-fashioned, large-bulb Christmas lights strung across their shoulders. These two communicate on all sorts of levels, and the music reflects that superb chemistry.
  
  The music is acoustic, well-crafted, creative, homey, and stunningly delicious. Starry, Starry Night features 10 numbers, including two outstanding guitar instrumentals and four very exciting originals. The title cut presents the Christmas story; Bev's warm yet transparent vocal tones tell the tale, simply and beautifully. On "Everybody's Singin' 'bout Christmas," the mood is upbeat, feel-good, rockin' country. "Forget About Me" is a cautionary tale about remembering those in need (with terrific a cappella harmonies near the end). All of these original numbers have true merit, but the star debutante is the remarkable "If I Can't Sing with You This Christmas," with compelling lyrics ("Sitting by the fire I got a chill when I heard you say/ you might not make it back by Christmas Day"), achingly lovely harmonies, and a memorable melody that will carry you away. Starry, Starry Night has just three well-known holiday tunes, and two of these are the instrumentals. All of the puzzle pieces fit incredibly well, forming a rewarding folk music landscape that is well worth a visit.
  
  Kudos to Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon for executing this excellent album! Starry, Starry Night will motivate flocks of eager folk music aficionados to look heavenward this holiday season.

• Starry, Starry Night [+ Show ]
  

  "Starry, Starry Night is an absolute wonder. The album contains both terrific takes on old standards..."Starry, Starry Night is an absolute wonder. The album contains both terrific takes on old standards, as well as hauntingly beautiful original songs. And if that wasn't enough, Ms. Barnett's voice borders on the angelic, with a purity reminiscent of Alison Krauss and Karen Carpenter. A must for anyone's Christmas music collection." -- Art Polimeno
  
  

Setlist

Live performances vary based on the venue and audience. We're comfortable on large stages, but we also love the intimacy of house concerts. Either way, we intersperse stories and humor with our original songs.

Drawing from a wide range of influences, our shows run the gamut from folk to country to R&B - always with a good, driving groove.

Lyrically our songs come from life's realities, without dwellilng to much on the negative.

Basic Requirements

Calendar