Barnhill

To see Stacy Barnhill, you would never believe that he was the front man for a band that has produced one of the most anticipated and talked about albums of 2006. The unassuming leader of Barnhill has used his talent as the banner to attract industry veterans like Don Crider, Reckless Kelly, Hayden Vitera and Cindy Cash-Dollar to his freshman effort. But, make no mistake, his first album is not the work of a rookie.

Stacy grew up in the small town of Marble Falls, Texas where he first experienced his passion for music. Upon graduating from high school, Stacy took his music on the road when he packed his bags and moved to New Orleans, LA to attend Gulf Coast University on a basketball scholarship. While at college, Stacy picked up a guitar for the first time, and began what he would someday learn to be his passion.

After his college career ended, Stacy ventured back home across Texas state lines, where he decided to try his hand at songwriting along side his uncle, the legendary steel guitar player, Don Crider. It was during this time of writing that Don encouraged Stacy to perform his singing/songwriting talents in front of a live audience. With the encouragement of his family and friends, Stacy began playing at local venues in and around the Austin area.

In early August of 2004, while playing at Poodies Hilltop (in Austin, TX), Stacy met the first member of the band that is now known as Barnhill; soon the rest of the band formed fairly quickly. Within a few weeks, Barnhill had their first show as an opening act for the Texas-based Honeybrowne, at the County Line.

In February 2006, Barnhill released their much anticipated debut album, "Join the Circus" to positive reviews and critical success. Produced by Merel Bregante, who also has produced other praiseworthy Texas acts as Reckless Kelly and Honeybrowne, this album includes guest appearances by Reckless Kelly, Meagan Jones, Hayden Vitera and Cindy Cash-Dollar. This CD can only be described as "Where Southern Rock meets Texas Country", and proves even more evident that Barnhill is heavily influenced by the unique sounds of Steve Earle, Reckless Kelly, Jack Ingram, Gram Parsons, Poco & Black Crowes.

At this point, Stacy Barnhill hasn’t yet realized just how many people like him, his band or his album. According to Stacy, "Getting up and doing what you love in front of large groups of people and having them respond to it, man there ain't nothing better than that. I'd rather do this for the rest of my life and never make a dime, than to do something I hate and get rich doing it.” With every song played, every album sold and every venue packed, Barnhill establishes itself as a permanent force in the Texas music scene.