David Mckee Barnes (born June 20, 1978[1]) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released eight studio albums, including two Christmas albums. His most recent full-length album, Featherbrained Wealth Motel, was released in 2023.

Dave Barnes
Background information
Birth nameDavid Mckee Barnes
Born (1978-06-20) June 20, 1978 (age 46)
South Carolina, U.S.
OriginKnoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active2001–present
LabelsRazor & Tie, Ripley Recordings, 50 Year Plan Records
SpouseAnnie Barnes
Websitewww.davebarnes.com

Early life

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The eldest of three children, Barnes was born in South Carolina in 1978, the son of a pastor who relocated his family to Kosciusko, Mississippi when Barnes was six years old.[2][3] The Barnes family then moved to Knoxville, Tennessee the summer during his junior year of high school, where he graduated from Farragut High School in 1996.[3][4][5] Barnes went to college at Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with a degree in Recording Industry Management.[2][3][6] While there, he began playing guitar and writing songs for fun.[6] He was initially only interested in writing material for other performers but was later encouraged by his peers to perform his works himself.[1] Barnes took their advice and began performing within the campus, and then performed at various nearby universities in regional centers as well as his own.

Musical career

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Barnes performing in Birmingham, Alabama in 2006.

Barnes released a 10-track demo album, "little fist big hurt," around 2000.[7] After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, he began touring and in 2002 released his five-song EP Three, Then Four, as purely a guitar-and-vocals release. With this release and the touring performed around it, Barnes' fan following expanded, with the assistance of internet promotion. Barnes toured heavily for over a year after that. During this period, Barnes met Ed Cash, a record producer who had worked with Bebo Norman, who Barnes had previously met in 1998 at Windy Gap, a Young Life camp in North Carolina.[4][8][5]

At the suggestion of Cash, Barnes recorded a full-band studio LP. Barnes released Brother, Bring The Sun in September 2004.[4][6] This album was critically acclaimed for Barnes' songwriting and overall high-quality presentation for an independent release.[9] Also through its release, Barnes gained notability among singers Amy Grant (who later performed on Barnes' wedding song "I Have and I Always Will"),[2][9] Vince Gill,[2] and John Mayer.[2][3][10] In 2005, Barnes co-produced the five-song EP Today & Tomorrow for his friend Matt Wertz. Barnes also contributed his songwriting to one of its songs.

In 2006, Barnes released his second full band studio album Chasing Mississippi.[6] In mid-to-late 2006, Barnes toured with Matt Wertz with songs from both albums and some newly written material as well. In early 2007 Barnes began experimenting with stand-up comedy and, with support from friends, put together a routine which he performed in Nashville, Tennessee.[11]

In June 2007, Barnes re-entered the studio to record his third album. In April 2008, having signed to the record label Razor and Tie, he released his major-label debut, Me and You and the World.[12][13] In promotion of the album, the song "Until You", which was previously on Brother, Bring the Sun, was re-recorded and released as a single on February 19, 2008.

In late 2008, Barnes was one of the opening acts for the shows from Orlando through Chicago on Hanson's "The Walk Around the World Tour".[14][15][12]

Barnes' songs were also featured on the show What I Like About You, including his song "On a Night Like This", which was featured on the "Three Little Words" episode. They were sung by the main character's, Holly's, English boyfriend named Ben, and are usually serenades.[citation needed]

On February 3, 2009, Barnes released a Valentine's Day EP titled You, the Night, and Candlelight.[16]

In April 2010, Barnes released his fourth full band studio album What We Want, What We Get[11] after having released his single "God Gave Me You" from the same album. The single rose into the top-five Contemporary Christian music chart by June.[17] Barnes appeared on the U.S. soap opera All My Children as himself and performed the song on June 10, 2010.[12][18][19]

Blake Shelton released Barnes' song "God Gave Me You" as his second single on his album Red River Blue in fall of 2011.[3] It became Blake's fifth number one song on country radio and has sold over one million units.[20] In 2012, Dave Barnes was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song for writing the song "God Gave Me You".[1][6][21] In an interview with American Songwriter, Dave stated that "I honestly didn't know I could write songs that could be that universal. Songs that could be that successful. I think one of the things about that song, as I have looked back on it and sort of examined under the hood, is that the sentiment is pretty universal... The beauty of "God Gave Me You" was that I finally saw what I had done and it opened this really cool door to me being more conscious about writing songs that appeal to more people, and this new record Stories to Tell really showcases that."[8] Stories to Tell, Dave's fifth full studio album, was released on March 13, 2012.[22]

Dave Barnes' second Christmas collection, A December to Remember, was released on October 29, 2013.[23] It is the follow-up to his successful 2010 holiday project Very Merry Christmas.[24] Barnes co-produced A December to Remember, which features six originals, four written and two co-written, such as "So, Santa" and "Better Than Christmas Day". The 11-song line-up also includes five Christmas classics, from "White Christmas" to "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".[25]

On January 28, 2014, he released Golden Days with the album's first single, "Good".[26]

Barnes released a second Valentine's Day EP on February 10, 2015, consisting of six acoustic songs and titled Hymns for Her.[27]

He released his seventh full-length album, Carry On, San Vincente, in 2016.[3]

In 2018 he released the album Who Knew It Would Be So Hard To Be Myself.

In 2020 he released his new album Dreaming in Electric Blue.[28][29]

Songwriting

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As a songwriter, Barnes has both written and co-written songs with Joey Humke for Carrie Underwood,[30] Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris,[4][31][32] Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton,[20] Hunter Hayes, Marc Broussard, Bebo Norman,[8] Matt Wertz, Andrew Ripp, Billy Currington, Tim McGraw, Danielle Bradbery, Francesca Battistelli, Bethany Dillon, Lady A, Maddie & Tae, and Ingrid Michaelson.[33]

Written and co-written songs

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Year Artist Album Song Co-written with
2004 Bethany Dillon Bethany Dillon "All I Need" Bethany Dillon, Ed Cash
Marc Broussard Carencro "Lonely Night in Georgia" Marc Broussard, Martin Sexton
"Gavin's Song" Marc Broussard
2005 Bethany Dillon Imagination "All That I Can Do" Bethany Dillon, Ed Cash
2006 Bebo Norman Between the Dreaming and the Coming True "The Way We Mend" Bebo Norman
2010 Billy Currington Enjoy Yourself "Until You"
2011 Blake Shelton Red River Blue "God Gave Me You"
Francesca Battistelli Hundred More Years "Emily (It's Love)"
(featuring Dave Barnes)
Francesca Battistelli
Matt Wertz Weights & Wings "Somebody Like You" Matt Wertz
2013 Danielle Bradbery Danielle Bradbery "Daughter of a Workin' Man" Nicolle Galyon, Clint Lagerberg
Andrew Ripp Won't Let Go[34] "Someone to Love You" Andrew Ripp
2015 Hunter Hayes The 21 Project "Young and in Love" Hunter Hayes
2017 Thomas Rhett Life Changes "Craving You"
(featuring Maren Morris)
Julian Bunetta
2018 Carrie Underwood Cry Pretty "Kingdom" Carrie Underwood, Chris DeStefano
2019 Lady A Ocean "Be Patient with My Love" Charles Kelley, Ben West
"On a Night Like This"
2020 Maddie & Tae The Way It Feels "My Man" Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Jordan Reynolds
"Ain’t There Yet" Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Ben West
"Lay Here with Me"
(featuring Dierks Bentley)
Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Josh Kerr
2021 Ingrid Michaelson Songs for the Season "Christmas Valentine"
(featuring Jason Mraz)
Ingrid Michaelson, Jason Mraz
"Merry Christmas, Happy New Year"
(featuring Zooey Deschanel)
Ingrid Michaelson, Zooey Deschanel

Personal life

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Barnes and his wife, Annie, have three children - Ben, Suzanna, and Sam.[3][35]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[36]
US Christ
[37]
US Rock
[38]
little fist big hurt
  • Release date: ~2000
  • Label: independent release
  • Formats: CD
Brother, Bring the Sun
  • Release date: September 21, 2004
  • Label: No Gang Music
  • Formats: CD, music download
Chasing Mississippi
  • Release date: March 21, 2006
  • Label: No Gang Music
  • Formats: CD, music download
Me and You and the World
  • Release date: April 1, 2008
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, music download
94
What We Want, What We Get
  • Release date: April 6, 2010
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, music download
59 3 17
Stories to Tell
  • Release date: March 13, 2012
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, music download
59 3
Golden Days
  • Release date: January 28, 2014
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
169 9
Carry On, San Vicente
  • Release date: March 18, 2016
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: CD, music download, LP
Who Knew It Would Be So Hard To Be Myself
  • Release date: February 9, 2018
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: CD, music download, LP
Dreaming in Electric Blue
  • Release date: April 3, 2020
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: CD, music download, LP
Notes from Paris
  • Release date: September 10, 2021
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: Music download, LP
Featherbrained Wealth Motel
  • Release date: October 20, 2023
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: Music download, LP
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[36]
US Christ
[37]
US Rock
[38]
Three, Then Four
  • Release date: January 12, 2002
  • Label: No Gang Music
  • Formats: CD, music download
You, the Night, and Candlelight
  • Release date: February 9, 2009
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, music download
158
Hymns for Her
  • Release date: February 10, 2015
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
12
Who Knew (Vol. 1)
  • Release date: December 12, 2017
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Format: Music download
Who Knew It Would Be So Hard (Vol. 2)
  • Release date: January 12, 2018
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Format: Music download
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Compilations

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[36]
US Christ
[37]
US Rock
[38]
Remembering: Greatest Hits Acoustic
  • Release date: August 12, 2022
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: Music download, LP
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Christmas albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[36]
US Christ
[37]
US Holiday
[39]
US Rock
[38]
Very Merry Christmas
  • Release date: November 9, 2010
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, music download
80 6 13 15
A December to Remember
  • Release date: October 29, 2013
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
18 22

Christmas extended plays

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[36]
US Christ
[37]
US Holiday
[39]
US Rock
[38]
I Wish It Would Snow
  • Release date: November 19, 2021
  • Label: 50 Year Plan Records
  • Format: Music download, LP
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart
positions
Album
US AC
[40]
US Christ
[41]
2004 "Crazyboutya" Brother, Bring the Sun
"Grace's Amazing Hands"
2006 "Miles to Go" Chasing Mississippi
"Everybody But You"
2008 "Until You" Me and You and the World
"Brothers & Sisters"
"Good World Gone Bad"
2009 "Nothing Else"
"Since You Said I Do"
"Loving You, Loving Me" You, the Night & Candlelight
2010 "God Gave Me You" 21 13 What We Want, What We Get
"Little Lies"
"Look So Easy"
"Family Tree" 25 Very Merry Christmas
"I Pray on Christmas" 37
"Christmas Tonight" (featuring Hillary Scott) 9
2011 "The Christmas Song" 45
"What I Need" (featuring Jonny Lang) 40 What We Want, What We Get
2012 "Hey Now" non-album single
"White Flag" Stories To Tell
"Love Will Be Enough For Us"
2013 "Good" 50 Golden Days
2014 "Somehow Saving You" non-album single
2020 "Dreaming in Electric Blue" Dreaming in Electric Blue
"Sorry's So Hard To Say (Remix)" (featuring The Shadowboxers) Dreaming in Electric Blue (Reimagined)
"Love Somebody (Josh Kerr Remix)"
"Sing Me Home" Notes from Paris
"We're Gonna Miss These Days"
"You to Me" I Wish It Would Snow
"Go Tell it on the Mountain"
2021 "My Love Will Follow You" Notes from Paris
"Only Good Will Come of This"
"Everytime She Falls in Love"
"The Lord Ain't Let Me Down Lately"
"June" (featuring Suzy Jones)
"Christmas Back Home" I Wish It Would Snow
2023 "Sunshine" Featherbrained Wealth Motel
"Hayley With a Heart"
"Yearslong"
2024 "Better Woman" non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Awards and nominations

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CMA Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 "God Gave Me You" Song of the Year Nominated[42]

Dove Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018 "Washed By the Water" Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year Won[43]

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 "God Gave Me You" Best Country Song Nominated[1][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Dave Barnes on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Dave Barnes with Andrew Ripp". Marathon Music Works. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Bledsoe, Wayne (December 8, 2016). "Dave Barnes is getting older and, sometimes, wiser". Knox News. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Wildsmith, Steve (April 5, 2017). "Rhythm N' Blooms: Dave Barnes comes home with some fun, funky tunes on his radar". The Daily Times. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Koontz, Christine. "History in Your Words - Dave Barnes". Young Life Alumni & Friends. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "5 Questions With ... Dave Barnes". Grammy Awards. December 2, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  7. ^ "Dave Barnes | "little fist big hurt" indie / promo acoustic album | 10 tracks, circa 2000". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Moore, Rick (March 27, 2012). "The Storyteller: A Q&A With Dave Barnes". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Dave Barnes w/ Andy Davis". Antones. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  10. ^ C., Jeff (July 7, 2006). "John Mayer Offers Praise For Dave Barnes". Popdirt. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Goodwyn, Hannah (October 16, 2013). "Dave Barnes: 'What We Want, What We Get'". CBN. The Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Ragogna, Mike (July 1, 2010). "Americanarama: Conversations with Dave Barnes and Mark Olson". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  13. ^ "Me and You and the World - Dave Barnes". AllMusic. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  14. ^ "Hanson retains familiar sound, gains maturity as a band". Hanson.net. October 12, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  15. ^ "Dave Barnes's Concert History". Concert Archives. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  16. ^ "Dave Barnes, "You, the Night, and Candlelight" Review". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  17. ^ "June 12, 2010 chart". Weekend 22. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  18. ^ Kerr, Luke (June 10, 2010). "Go Behind-the-Scenes at Jake and Amanda's Wedding on AMC!". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  19. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (September 28, 2010). "Dave Barnes to release Christmas album". HM Magazine. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  20. ^ a b "Blake Shelton Earns RIAA Platinum Certification for 'God Gave Me You'". Blake Shelton. January 30, 2018. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  21. ^ "Dave Barnes". Grammy Awards. May 22, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  22. ^ "Dave Barnes' New Studio Album Stories To Tell Now Available For Pre-Order". Todays Christian Music. February 16, 2012. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  23. ^ "A December to Remember - Dave Barnes". AllMusic. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "Very Merry Christmas - Dave Barnes". AllMusic. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  25. ^ "Grammy-Nominated Singer/Songwriter Dave Barnes unveils back to back new Christmas and studio albums;". MergePR. November 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  26. ^ Estabrooks, Timothy (January 27, 2014). "Dave Barnes, "Golden Days" Review". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  27. ^ Orr, Dacey (February 6, 2015). "Song Premiere: Dave Barnes - 'Headlights'". Paste Magazine. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  28. ^ "Who Knew (Vol. 1) - EP by Dave Barnes". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  29. ^ "Who Knew It Would Be So Hard, Vol. 2 - EP by Dave Barnes". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  30. ^ Freeman, Jon (August 20, 2018). "Carrie Underwood Details New Album 'Cry Pretty'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  31. ^ Whitaker, Sterling (April 14, 2017). "Lyrics Uncovered: Thomas Rhett, 'Craving You'". Taste of Country. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  32. ^ Watts, Cindy (July 27, 2017). "Exclusive: Thomas Rhett reveals new album Life Changes". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  33. ^ Siroky, Mary (October 29, 2021). "Ingrid Michaelson Shares Origins of "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year" Featuring Zooey Deschanel: Exclusive". Consequence Sound. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  34. ^ CD case shows songwriters.
  35. ^ Lusk, Caroline (January 27, 2014). "Dave Barnes: The Golden Boy". CCM Magazine. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  36. ^ a b c d e "Dave Barnes Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  37. ^ a b c d e "Dave Barnes Album & Song Chart History - Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d e "Dave Barnes Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  39. ^ a b "Dave Barnes Album & Song Chart History - Holiday Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  40. ^ "Dave Barnes Album & Song Chart History - Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  41. ^ "Dave Barnes Album & Song Chart History - Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  42. ^ "Past Winners And Nominees". CMA Awards. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  43. ^ "2018 Winners". Dove Awards. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
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