Barry Waldrep


James "Barry" Waldrep is an American Bluegrass, Jam Band, Americana instrumentalist, songwriter and composer. Main instrument is acoustic guitar, but also plays electric guitar, mandolin and banjo.
Waldrep co-founded the bluegrass/jam band Rollin' in the Hay in July 1993. The band was based in Birmingham, Alabama, and formed as a side project. Waldrep was also a full time member of the Birmingham band Telluride. Rollin' In The Hay soon became a full-time band touring the Jam Band circuit of festivals and college campuses across the country until May 2009. The band produced 7 CDs and performed over 300 dates per year for 16 years.
During this time, Waldrep recorded 21 bluegrass tribute albums with CMH Records in Los Angeles for Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Phish, R.E.M., Tim McGraw, The Allman Brothers, Neil Diamond and others. He was also featured on the CD Masterworks of American Bluegrass also produced by CMH Records. At this point, Waldrep started recording solo records and doing tours & studio sessions with other artists.
September 2009, Zac Brown invited Waldrep to join him on his "Breaking Southern Ground Tour". Waldrep is featured on the Zac Brown Band Pass The Jar CD/DVD, along with Kid Rock and Little Big Town. During this time he met the husband and wife country duo Joey + Rory. He did a tour with them during the Zac Brown Tour, and in some cases, they all toured together. In addition, Waldrep played the Grand Ole' Opry several times and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, which was the previous home of the Grand Ole' Opry.
In January 2013, after landing a record deal with Singular Records in San Francisco, California, Waldrep began the Smoke From the Kitchen'' sessions, which is a bluegrass banjo/southern rock project. This project includes artists Chuck Leavell, Paul T. Riddle, Oteil Burbridge, Charlie Starr, Coy Bowles, Benji Shanks and Jazz Grass Mandolin player David "Dawg" Grisman.
In January 2016 Barry teamed up with singer songwriter Kelli Johnson to spend the year touring as a duo. During this year they released one CD "Hey Country.
October 2016, Barry announces he will be touring with Country Artist John Berry as a member of his band on Johns 2016 Christmas tour.
January 2017, Barry Waldrep and friends began performing their fusion of Bluegrass/Southern Rock with special guest vocalists. The band is Barry, Jason Bailey, Caelan Berry & Bryan Hall. Guest vocalists include Jimmy Hall, Donna Hall & Joe Debrow.
2018, Barry continues with his own band, and their shows have been called by fans as a "SOUTHERN CULTURE REVIVAL". Waldrep states that this branding is the result of just being who we are. "No matter what we play it's gonna sound southern".
He and his band mates are all natives of Georgia or Alabama and have musical influences from Bluegrass, Jazz, Southern Rock and Gospel.

Banjo.com

In addition to touring, Barry purchased the 12 year old musical instrument company banjo.com in May 2015.

Personal life

Spouses
Julie Russell, Rhona Leavitt, Lesia Williams
Children
Mallorie McGue, Morgan McGue

Early years

Barry Waldrep grew up in Randolph County Alabama. James was a professional auto mechanic, and a part-time bluegrass musician. Barbara worked in the manufacturing industry. The family vacations were most every weekend as they performed on the southeastern bluegrass festival circuit.
Barry graduated from Randolph County High School - Wedowee, Alabama in 1982. After a short term at Jacksonville State University, he moved to Auburn, Alabama to start classes at Auburn University, but started a band instead. With several day jobs in the middle of all the club shows, he decided to make music a full-time job in 1988. His first stint at being a full-time musician started with a 3-month house gig at a beach club in Panama City Beach, Florida. Barry Was used to performing on the bluegrass festival circuit with his fathers band where people attended events to hear the music. The club owner in Panama City, wanted a band to make people dance and drink, so the summer gig only lasted a week. Determined to succeed, Waldrep hit all the clubs and landed another gig. The band quickly revamped the set list, and made it through the summer.
The next 5 years were filled with road side honky tonks & college bar gigs with various bands until 1993 when he started Rollin' In The Hay.
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Overview
The lineup on Smoke from the Kitchen includes:
Banjo, Mandolin & Acoustic Guitar: Barry Waldrep,
Bass: Oteil Burbridge,
Drums: Paul Riddle,
Hammond: Coy Bowles,
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar: Charlie Starr,
Electric Guitar, Resonator Guitar: Benji Shanks,
Mandolin: David Grisman,
Keyboards: Chuck Leavell,
Vocals: Paris Luna,

Discography

Bluegrass Tributes
Barry Waldrep Projects
Featuring: Oteil Burbridge, Paul T. Riddle, Chuck Leavell, Charlie Starr, Benji Shanks, Coy Bowles, David Grisman, Paris Luna, Aaron Trubic.
Rollin' In The Hay
Guest Appearances