Darrell Barr

Darrell Barr
As the stage lights go down and Darrell Barr takes the spotlight, it's a guarantee he'll bring the house down. This seasoned veteran of studio and stage works an audience like he does a guitar: with outstanding skill. His stellar vocals, range of genres, and original songwriting tell the tale of an artist whose journey spans 2 countries, and is as compelling as his music.
Son of a long hauler, the Alberta born artist grew up the second oldest of 4 children. Music has been Darrell's driving force from the moment his father gave him a drum set as a child, and soon after placed a 6 string in his hands. He began penning his own compositions, inspired early on by the sounds of Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Hank Williams.
Darrell founded the band Joanie Mac and Detroit Diesel where he then unleashed his first originals “I'm in the Mood for Fighting” and “In Comes the Night.” The band went on to become one of Alberta's top country bands, opening for such acts as Jerry Jeff Walker and Pure Prairie League.
Not long after, he and Winston Quelch of One Horse Blue formed the band, Foreign Films, which toured successfully throughout the western Provinces. Later, Darrell founded Blackboard Jungle, a group which became an Edmonton city favorite. This led to a 5 year house gig on the Edmonton Queen River Boat as Darrell Barr & The Rafters.
Darrell has shared the stage with several top artists - Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Andy Kim, Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits, Jon Anderson of Yes, John Mullen of Badfinger, Dr. Hook, Jay and the Americans, Chilliwack, Gerry Lewis and the Playboys and The Little River Band. Darrell also opened the Craven Big Valley Jamboree with headliners such as Garth Brooks, Charlie Pride, Travis Tritt, and Patty Loveless – to name a few.
After winning the Bud Country Cross Canada Talent Contest, Darrell appeared on TNN's Nashville Now television program hosted by Ralph Emory, where he performed 2 originals, “Same Ol' Road” and “Grandma's Song.” During his 2 years in Nashville, Darrell played to sold out crowds along Music City's famous Printer's Alley. This led to an invitation to perform on The Tommy Hunter Show, with guests Brooks and Dunn, Patty Loveless, and Tom T. Hall. Darrell also performed a televised Christmas show with 'Female Country Vocalist of the Year' Michele Wright, as well as opening for 'Group of the Year' Prairie Oyster at Cook County Saloon.
Darrell's distinct musical style and charismatic stage presence has earned him an ever growing fan base which spans several genres; country, rhythm and blues, soul, and rock. His current goals are to complete his next album of originals, including collaborations with other artists, as well as expand his touring throughout Canada and the United States.
In the studio, Darrell is meditative, conscientious, enthusiastic, and devoted to excellence. From Edmonton to Nashville, he has honed his craft, not only as an artist, but as a multifaceted entertainer, always striving to give every project, whether in the studio or on the road, his utmost. Music is not something Darrell does – it's who he is.