Barb Barton - Jackson Coffee Company

Barb Barton at Jackson Coffee Company

Attending a Barb Barton concert is a little like going to the land of Oz. A performer who imparts intimate wisdom, heart, and courage into her songs and guitar playing, she defies categorization. Her music flows from traditional style to powerful acoustic rock. But it's her individual charm that attracts an audience. Barton juggles the emotions of her audiences with humor in one hand and tenderness in the other. Her ease to life and empowering sense of independence is contagious. She leaves audiences feeling as though they have been hit by something of the unknown, something that has caused movement within their very soul...

Named Best Vocalist in Folk at the Detroit Music Awards and Songwriter of the Year by the Metro Area Artists and Songwriters Association, Barton has been performing her unique style of music for over twenty-five years. With three recordings behind her (No Shirt Required, From the Eye of Hawk, and Live at the Ark) and guest appearances on several CDs, she is currently working on two new projects, including an instrumental CD featuring her extraordinary guitar work. Several selections from No Shirt Required are on the soundtrack to the documentary The Journey of the Chandler/Pohrt Collection, a film produced by Academy Award winner Sue Marx. Barton was also selected as an Artist in Residency at Isle Royale National Park where she wrote one of her most popular songs, "Letter to Joshua" (From the Eye of Hawk).

Barton leads a dual life... musician by night, endangered species biologist by day. Formerly with The Nature Conservancy, she now works to protect endangered species as a biologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Helping to restore balance and harmony with the Earth and all Our Relations is her mission, whether through song or through science.

Indeed this woman is many-faceted, but the best way to know Barb Barton is by listening and feeling her music, for that is where her spirit dwells.