The Barnes Family Reunion II

Old Revival Medley


I Owe God Praise


He'll Do Just What He Said

As a teenager in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Bishop Barnes spent most of his time playing piano, singing and directing the choir at the Marks Chapel Baptist Church. After answering his call to the ministry in 1955, Bishop Barnes went on to found the Red Budd Holy Church in 1959 and later, lead the flock at the St. Paul Holy Church in Maple Hill, NC the latter of which he still serves as pastor. It was also during this period that Bishop Barnes received his Doctorate of Divinity degree from the Goldsboro, NC - based United Christian College.

Although pastoring is of great importance to Bishop Barnes, it would be music which would catapult him to national prominence. Around 1979, Bishop Barnes was doing a radio broadcast at WSRV in Rocky Mount, NC, which is where he met Rev. Janice Brown. They recorded "It's Me Again Lord" at home on a reel-to-reel tape recorder just to play on their broadcast. Whenever the song aired, people would call in to the station asking them to play it again. They called so often that the station's manager encouraged them to make a record of it so that he could legally play it. Bishop Barnes and Rev. Brown went into the studio and recorded that song along with "Come On In The Room". The single eventually caught the ear of Wendell Parker who at the time worked at AIR Records. He then played it for Ron Freeman, the owner of the label. Mr. Freeman loved it and he offered them a recording contract. The rest, as it is said, is history.
They eventually would record eight albums together, highlighted by the smash hit song "Rough Side Of The Mountain". The album of the same name remained number 1 on the gospel charts for over a year, selling over 500,000 copies. It continues to sell strongly to this day.
Bishop Barnes formed a group he named Company, which presently consists of his nieces Deborah Barnes, Wanda Barnes, and Lisa Barnes.

During his more than 20 years and 14 releases with AIR, Bishop Barnes has been featured on projects with is son Luther Barnes and the Red Budd Combined Choir. The Bishop also originally organized the Sunset Jubilaires, today one of AIR's most popular artists. "I was their first musician and lead singer", Bishop Barnes remembers. "After I was called into the ministry and began pastoring, it took me away from the group, so my brother Haywood took over as lead singer". The Sunsets now feature Luther as their primary lead singer.

Bishop F.C.Barnes and Elder Luther Barnes and The Sunset Jubilaires were inducted into The AGQC Hall Of Fame in 2010 at The annual AGQC Hall Of Fame and Awards Luncheon.
The Hall Of Fame honor for The Barnes' is a well deserved recognition.This also mark the first time that two entities from the same family have been inducted at the same time.The contributions of Bishop Barnes,Elder Luther and the uncles and cousins have been worldwide impacting.
Bishop Barnes received The North Carolina Folk Heritage Award September 12th, 2000.

Luther Barnes is a record producer, director, songwriter, composer and lead singer of Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires and the Red Budd Gospel Choir.
As lead singer of Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires, Red Budd Gospel Choir and the President of Luther Barnes Song Ministries he has received the 1992 Vision Award, and the Stellar and GMWA Excellence Award. He was nominated for his performance on the Barnes Family 1999 release, A Live Reunion, for The Truth Magazine Award, for Best Traditional Male Vocalist, GMWA 2003 Excellence Awards for Best Traditional Male Vocalist, for a Grammy Award Nomination 2004, for a 2005 Stellar Award, and a Gospel Heritage Award. He was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Detroit, Michigan, the 2006 Mississippi Gospel Award, and a 2007 Stellar Award nomination for Somehow, Someway, GMA Dove Award nominee 2003, Distinguished award from St Augustine College, Feb. 2008, Key to the City of Brunswick, Georgia, January 2008. Key to the City of Chesapeake, Virginia March 2008. at the Virginia Classic of Chesapeake, Spring Gospel Showcase. He served as performer, judge and participant at the Virginia Annual Showcase 2006-2007. Since 1996, he has hosted The Annual North Carolina Fall Gospel Classic, held at Red Budd Holy Church, Rocky Mount, NC in early October.
So Good To Be Here

I'll Make It Someday


It's Your Time


No Matter How High I Get


Mamma's Song


I'm Still Holding On