Biography
“COUNTRY ROOTS, ROCK & ROLL SOUL.”
That's the epitome of country blues-rocker, Barry Forster, a rising artist from Flint, Michigan. Shaking down grooves channeled through the spirit and energy of greats such as Waylon Jennings, Grand Funk, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, it is all about energy and connection for this stage-crazed performer. Dubbed the nickname "Shreddie Van Waylon" from his peers, this up-and-comer is out to spread the good vibes.
He is product of “Buick City” (Flint, MI), a town once known for its automobiles, where bands could be found in every corner pub and shop dive every night of the week. “Music has consumed my life since I was in diapers,” says Barry, “We used to go over my grandma Lue’s on Sunday mornings to have breakfast and listen to the country flash-back show hosted by Dan Richards (a local radio DJ). That’s where it all started.” This led to building a strong bond with the legends such as Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck, and Ronnie Milsap. “For years I didn’t even know that any other music existed.”
Ludwig van Beethoven was once quoted, “Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eye of woman.” Dancing around the living room singing at the top of his lungs, a fire was beginning to burn in this young man’s soul. “I remember being in Boy Scouts and seeing this Walkman tape player in a rewards catalogue, thinking ‘Woah so I could play music anywhere?’” he smiles, “So, I sold a TON of popcorn to get this thing and my grandma Lue gave me a box of tapes to play. Man, I wore those things out.”
It only takes one opportunity to change a person’s outlook on life and to become immersed in something so powerful such as music. “One day my parents were playing cards, I was on my back with my feet up against the entertainment center just going at it singing ‘Pure Love’ by Ronnie Milsap,” he explains, “I looked over and everyone was just staring at me,” laughing he continues, “I just went back to it and didn’t think anything of it.” Soon after, Barry’s dad decided to take him to a legendary local country club called Sylvia Jo’s Wagon Wheel for kiddie-oke night. At about six years old, an instant bond was formed that night. “There were pictures of Willie Nelson (amongst other country legends) on the walls and everyone was wearing boots and cowboy hats just dancing the night away. I was beside myself. All I could think was. ‘Yeah, this is my place.’” For two years following, Barry would sing every Sunday following that night for kiddie-oke and performed in numerous singing contests, letting that flame burn hotter and hotter every weekend. “My favorite song to sing was Jailhouse Now after hearing it in O’ Brother Where Art Thou. I used to wear the beard and everything.” He laughs.
About a year later, Barry’s dad finally snuck him into the Wagon Wheel on a Saturday night to see his first live band called Ace High. Another inspiring moment that further burned a deeper passion into his soul. “I remember just being in awe of the guitar player, Johnny Lorrison. He played a black Fender Telecaster that looked like a Cadillac with the white binding and it just screamed. I looked over at my dad and said ‘I want one of those!’ A few months later my dad got me a little Abilene acoustic for Christmas and I just banged away at that thing for weeks. He finally talked his buddy Kevin into giving me guitar lessons every week and it was over. I was in love.” After a few months of learning chords and rhythms with Kevin, he moved on to take lessons with his idol, Johnny. A year later, Johnny asked the young-aspiring guitar player to set in with the band at the Wagon Wheel for a couple tunes. “I practiced everyday for hours to get this one tune. It was Lonesome Fugitive by Merle Haggard and man, it took me three weeks to get that song down,” he explains, “That was the most exciting thing that had ever happened in my life up to that point. Being on stage just felt so empowering, it is almost impossible to describe that feeling. It’s surreal.”
Following his first performance, Barry began practicing for hours on end trying to hone his craft. “When I got home from school everyday my dad told me to drop my books and practice before I could do anything. I was so fortunate to have someone like that to push me (in good way)” he explains, “He started taking me out to set in with local bands every weekend and even built me a special Telecaster, that changed everything. I think that period is where I did the most exploring."
After over twelve years of performing across the Midwest, Barry is heading back to his roots (with a few twists) and making his solo debut. “What I always loved about country music were the stories and the melodies, but what I loved about rock music was the energy. I am equally passionate about both, however country music will always be my backbone.” He explains, ”The music is a product of the road, life songs that everyone can connect with. Good times, hard times, adventure, heartbreak, the whole crazy thing.”
Barry thrives on energy and connection, the goose-bump moments. “There’s nothing like locking eyes with someone singing every word to a song because they’ve been through the same thing. The hair stands up on your neck.”
Smiling, he says, “I used to play in the living room imagining that I was on stage, now, when I am on stage I pretend that I’m in the living room.”
Awards:
Country Instrumentalist of the Year (Review Magazine Awards, 2013, 2014)
Best Country Group - Ten Hands Tall (Review Magazine Awards, 2014)
Nominations:
Country Songwriter of the Year (Review Magazine Awards, 2015)
Country Male Vocalist of the Year: (Review Magazine Awards, 2014)
Country Male Vocalist of the Year: (Review Magazine Awards, 2014)
Highlighted performances with...
Blake Shelton, Collin Raye, Confederate Railroad, The Cadillac Three, Dustin Lynch, Frankie Ballard, Montgomery Gentry, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Trick Pony, Mark Wills, Craig Campbell, Larry Gatlin, JJ Lawhorn, Josh Thompson, Jason Michael Carroll, The Lacs, Native Run, Sarah Evans, Daryl Worley, Tracey Lawrence, Craig Morgan, Jennifer Hanson, Billy Currington, Joe Nichols, Scotty McCreery, Daughtry, The Van Lears, Aaron Lewis, The Swon Brothers and many more!