Biography
With a career spanning over 30 years, Brett Barnes has established himself as a seasoned, solid, professional musician in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada. He has performed with: Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli, Ernie Watts, Bill Wattrous, Rick Danko, Tommy Castro, Leon Mc Auliffe, Ray Stevens, Bob Margolin and many more. Brett began working professionally at the age of 14 often appearing with his father Randy onstage in Fort Smith Arkansas. An 8 year run with David and the Immatures saw him go from small clubs to headlining a five state area and opening for major stars such as B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Di meola and many more. During that time Barnes also attended the University of Arkansas as a percussion major earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance.
During the 90’s Brett toured the south with the rock band RELLIK and the east coast with award winning country artists Bandolero and Aged in the Hills. In 1996 he relocated to Las Vegas Nevada and has established himself as a percussionist working in the show rooms on the shows: Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Tony and Tina’s Wedding and the musicals Tom Sawyer and Man of La Mancha. He also recorded and played with the Ska band Floor 13, country artists Sandra Lee and Brittini, Rocky Tonk the rock band Seminiferous, world music artists Meshuggina Klezmorim, Celtic rockers Killians Angels, and Celtic Crown, the punk band Tippy Elvis, blues artists Chris Tofield, Grammy award winning saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter, Junior Brantley, John Earl, Charley Tuna, Rick Berthod, Uncle Sugar and the Sweet Daddies, The Swingin' Johnsons, singer/songwriter Ted Sablay(The Killers), The Swampcoolers and The Ruffnecks. Brett has performed on the prestigious stages of Carnegie Hall, The Smith Center Las Vegas and The Grand ole Opry in Nashville. He currently splits his time between Las Vegas best blues band The Moanin’ Blacksnakes, the exotica band The Hypnotiques , and is a staff musician at Community Lutheran Church. His love of Island music led him to study jazz vibraphone with vibists Thomas Mackay & Jerry Tachoir. Brett Barnes is active in the academic world as well having served as the Nevada Chapter President of the Percussive Arts Society for 18 years planning and organizing drum clinics, master classes, days of percussion and drum camps. In 2021, He released his first Album "Exotic Sounds from the Tiki Cat Lava Lounge. Mr. Barnes is a National Board Certified Teacher. His love of teaching led him to pursue Orff Level Certification and become an elementary music specialist for the Clark County School district. It is a position he has held for over 20 years sharing his passion and inspiring young people to follow their dreams. Brett is proud to endorse Marimba One and play their M1 One Vibe, Vater drumsticks, Evans drumheads, MRP Custom Drums and has been featured in Modern Drummer and DRUM magazine. |
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