Stan Barnes
Hello, My name is Stanley Barnes. I really want to thank you for taking the time to read this. Please allow me to tell you a little about myself. I'll try not to bore you too much.
I am now working as a Firefighter in a small suburb outside of Detroit, Michigan where I was born and raised. And like yourself and so many others, I believe I was molded by all of my life’s experiences along the way. I have always loved music, I guess from the first time I saw my father pick up his guitar and sing, or the times watching others entertain or express themselves either lyrically or musically I guess, I, like others, picked up little pieces of them throughout my journey in life thus far.
I first picked up the sax while attending Henry Ford High in Detroit, where I was privileged to be trained by one of the Greatest Horn Players around, (Benjamin Pruitt Sr.) and I have been playing every since. I have played with several groups throughout the years and have enjoyed and learned many lessons from each band and their members. I also met my beautiful wife Brenda at Henry Ford, I knew when I first met her, just like with music, that it was meant to be, and that from our first encounter, it would last forever.
We have been married 18 years now with 3 handsome boys Jordan, Brandan and Kadan. It was then that I learned a different kind of love, one that I never knew until I had them. And you parents out there will know just what I am talking about.
Well anyway, This CD has been a lot of fun for me because I got a chance to express myself with different styles of music which is how I came up with the title Dedicated To The Love of Music. Actually I did have more material, but as you know you can only put so much on one CD.
And to some of you who know me, you know that I am employed and provide for my family as a Firefighter. And often in this profession, you have many opportunities to see quite a bit that inspires you. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. But I always try to find the good in everything. I say that to say this: I chose to donate a portion of the Proceeds that I may procure to The Great Lakes Burn Camp. Fire has touched many lives in so many ways. My immediate family had the misfortunes of losing almost everything we had in our house fire in Detroit. It was devastating; it almost broke up our family. But that’s a discussion for another time.
I guess that’s why I wanted to take this opportunity to… as Mrs. Stacy Jenkins of the Observer Newspaper said: “To combine two passions of mine into one common goal”.
As you will see with the Music on this CD, I chose this first time around to blend a mixture of styles and cultures all in the name of Love, Relaxation, Fun and Enjoyment. My approach to music is first from the standpoint that Music is Universal… There is no right or wrong song or musical phrase. It is a lot like Art. And as the saying goes, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. I may hear a song in my head and heart and choose to express it in a certain way. Now I am aware that this particular piece could literally go into a thousand different directions with all the possibilities of melodies that come to Artists. Which is right, which is wrong? I am firmly convinced that there is no right or wrong. If it sounds good and feels good to you or me, then why not? And its true at times I may sound totally different from anything that you have heard before, and then at other times, a bit like everyone that you have heard. But that’s OK…
You know, so many artists and musicians are looking for that perfect sound. I find that to be totally abstract. How can an imperfect person create something perfect? And then, maybe everything is perfect in its own way. Really I think what we are creating are perceptions. So then, if we perceive that something is wonderful, or beautiful. Then to us, it truly is. The challenge then is to pass that insight or acuity if you will, on to others by way of your passion in Art or Music.
You know, I didn’t want to use this as a philosophical outing. But I guess what I’m trying to say is that there is a song inside of all of us. And I refuse to let anything mold or control that other than the way I feel at that time.
And I may not particularly care for a certain song, but that doesn’t mean that that particular song isn’t cared for by someone. And I really think that if we could just accept it for what it is then we would probably find that we may actually enjoy it.
I love, honor and respect all the other musicians that paved the way for all of us. And as I think that I am like a sponge that absorbs a little of all of them and as a result, as I play, you, myself and others may hear or feel something nostalgic in a phrase or movement. Sometimes this is done purposely, other times I discovered it after or as I did it. But my approach and my sound aren’t done to mimic others. I hope you find something on this CD that you can grab hold of.
I know that you may not love every song, but it is my hope that if you give each song a chance, it is going to make you feel something. That in my opinion is the purpose of music. We are moved to like a song after the song moves us. And the same is true of the songs that we dislike.
So please sit back and share this moment in time with me as I attempt to move you. I really do hope that you enjoy something that you hear.
Oh, for my Witness Friends... I will always put Jehovah first in my life. Music is a gift from Jehovah and never will I allow this gift to interfere with the most important aspect of our lives... And that is our relationship with Jehovah. He comes first. And my service to him is worth more than anything else. And we all know that in these "Last Days", there are so many distractions. Before I allow this to be one, I'll never play again. So therefore, My Meeting attendance, personal study, field service, Christian conduct and other spiritual obligations take precedence over all other things. Including this. So as I endeavor to provide clean wholesome music, I am closely watching my Spiritual Routine and my association. And I encourage you to do the same. My help is from Jehovah...
This CD has 19 Tracks on it. Two of which are an “Intro” Track and an interlude entitled “Blowing the Horns”. There are two vocal tracks one entitled “Brenda”, and the other “Don’t Worry Billy”. The words are available upon request, or you could just do like we used to do in the old days… keep rewinding and asking, What did he say?… There is a remake or cover to the musical theme taken from the song “A Train” originally done by Duke Ellington. It is entitled Catching the A Train. It has a Big Band feel… And there are others… But I don’t want to bore you with writing, please take the time to listen…
Oh, before I forget… I’ve been inspired by many artists as I said earlier such as… Benjamin Pruitt Sr., Skip Pruitt, Gerald Albright, Dewight Adams, Elvis Presley, Sax Man George Benson, Guitarist George Benson, Luther Van Dross, Kirk Whallum, Jerome Davis, Kenny G, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Grover Washington Jr., Johnny Cash, Jim Nabors, Bobby McFerren, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, Karen Carpenter, Janet Jackson, Prince, Johnny Walker, James Brown, BB King, David Sanborn, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Al Jarreau, Danny Kaye, Louis Armstrong, This list is incomplete, but I’ll keep adding to it as I keep thinking. But as you can see, inspiration comes from many different avenues, and it is as multi-faceted as the people who offers it.
To be continued…