Barbara Barrett

Michigan native, Barbara Barrett has been performing for over 12 years with 2 albums under her belt. She started her songwriting career in the Mountains of Big Sky, Montana but has rooted herself back in Michigan. Often sounding earthy and reedy like Jewel, she also can float upward into lighter, ethereal tones like Shawn Colvin. She highlights these moods in her expressive, colorful voice. While many singer-songwriters are clearly capable of displaying a patchwork of emotional experiences, very few of them can completely unify these experiences by depicting the tension between the instinct to suppress emotion, and the need to experience all aspects of an emotion and to express it. Barbara Barrett can.

Unlike many newcomers to the music industry, Barb also made her first music video, which features the song "Two." Produced and directed by Barb's filmmaker husband, Steven Oatley. The 3:10 song shows Barb's humble beginnings as a coffee-house singer. Her friends worked as actors, actresses and extras during the three-day shoot.

Life was good, but it was about to get better. A summer night's walk on the beach turned into a marriage proposal from her filmmaker boyfriend, Steve and life since has been at warp speed. After purchasing a house and building a garage there would seem to be little time to perform let alone write new material.

Barb's inspiration, which once came from lost loves and lonely car rides, had to be found somewhere else. In 2001, she started attending John Lamb's singer songwriter retreats in Northern Michigan. These annual events are more than just brainstorming sessions, but lessons in observing everyday people and creating something meaningful. In fact, one of her new songs, "Millie & Joe" is song assignment from Lamb's retreat.
This song and others debuted in June 2004 when Barb hit the road with Annie and Rod Capps and performed at The Sutler bar in Nashville, TN. With the support of friends and producer, Kristin von Bernthal, she was more determined that ever to finish her second CD. Kristin and Barb worked very well together recording in Kristin's basement studio called das doll house. Although the process took longer than anticipated, Barb and Kristin enjoyed their time together and are very proud of the project.

Listen to the way is a songwriting and vocal stylings evolution for Singer/Songwriter, Barbara Barrett. The album features 10 new songs with strong melodies and heartfelt lyrics. The songs on this album take on a more "pop-y" form than those on her debut album, "Two". This is a truly enjoyable new collection with some hilarious moments, some beautiful moments, and some hilarious and beautiful moments. The songs will take you to different times and places in other people’s lives, an overwhelming reminder of how art imitates life-perhaps your life. Listen carefully to “Listen to the Way” ….