Biography
Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon have a musical, life and spirit connection that lights up the stage. Fast moving, rootsy acoustic guitar blends with beautiful vocal harmonies to form a backdrop for lyrics that explore life, love and the pursuit of something real. Bev and Greg approach life without blinders and create music with joy, meaning and purpose. What you see … and hear… is what you get. No secrets.
In live performance, Bev and Greg speak from their hearts to the heart of the audience. The connection they have with each other seems contagious and soon the audience is sharing in tears and laughter as seen through the eyes of a very real relationship.
"Fantastic live performance. Its amazing that so much warmth can come from just two guitars and two voices."
- Eric Behlmer, Barn Concerts
With a gift for delivering the essence of a song, Barnett’s 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's guitar encircles the song as he finds his way between the notes with delicacy and strength. His fluid, full guitar and vocal arrangements are the result of a long and varied musical journey from his rock beginnings combined with his 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.
"In a world of fast food and empty calories, Bev and Greg are real food. Their songs speak their truth - and do it well. Tuneful and talented.”
- Cosy Sheridan
About Any Doorway Will Do
The duo’s latest TrueWind Music release, Any Doorway Will Do, is a collection of songs about life, love and the pursuit of something real. The listener joins these two songwriters on a journey through doorways of words and music as they chronicle lives filled with joy, marked with sorrow and illuminated by hope. Clearly, there is a wealth of life experience in their words and melodies that can be felt as much as heard.
“a luminous collection of songs that shine with a soulful spirit.”
- Music Connection Magazine
"Skillful, crystalline guitar, superb songwriting and soulful, harmonious vocals characterize this acoustic masterpiece."
- David Stafford, host of the Friday Folk Off Program on KKUP
The album title comes from Roll with the Punches, the couple’s anthem for living life one day at a time:
"… and if it's raining, any doorway will do...
You've got to roll with the punches
You've got to keep your eye on a star
You've got to dream like there's no tomorrow
You've got to be just who you are …”
Eight of the 12 tracks on Any Doorway Will Do were co-written by the couple with the remaining four penned individually, providing further insights into each writer. Their individual styles are a unique complement to each other both vocally and from a songwriting perspective.
Greg maps a quest for knowledge and humility on “Revelation Isle,” with the lines, “I know I am unworthy / a pauper at your door.” In “Now is What We are,” Bev presents a case for staying present, with the sage advice “just take the gifts that have been left here at your feet / and look with love on every stranger that you meet / ‘cause now is what we are.”
Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon are troubadours on a new frontier, baby boomers who grew up on great music and now create it to share with a growing audience of similar souls; the generation with a wealth of life experience whose search continues.
Acoustic, contemporary, meaningful and uplifting - and with as many questions as answers - Any Doorway Will Do offers shelter and solace to seekers and skeptics alike.
"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."
-- Freeman, Palo Alto Daily News
"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."
-- Good Times Santa Cruz
"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
"honest, unpretentious delivery that makes them a joy to listen to"
-- Jackie Loken
Folk/Country/Bluegrass DJ
KKUP Radio, FM 91.5
Affiliations:
Bev Barnett is on the board of directors of Folk Alliance-Region West. Both Bev and Greg are members of the West Coast Songwriters and the San Francisco Chapter of NARAS.
Instrumentation
Acoustic duo is Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon on vocals and acoustic guitars - equally comfortable with full sound support or unplugged for house concerts.
Trio configuration adds Martha Groves Perry on harmony vocals and percussion
Full band configuration adds Tim Cupps on bass, John Hasty on drums & percussion and provides the flexibility for Greg to add electric guitar
Discography
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
| http://www.bevandgreg.com |
| You Tube Channel |
| Facebook Fan Page |
| ReverbNation Page |
| MySpace Page |
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