Americanafest is an annual event organized by the Americana Music Association and held in Nashville, Tennessee. Americanafest 2019 will be held between Sept. 10 and Sept. 15 with the Americana Honors and Awards Show taking place at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 11. The five-day event will feature panels and performances at several venues in Nashville. Del Barber is one of about 300 artists that are scheduled to perform during this year’s Americanafest.
When did you start singing? According to my parents I started singing right about the time I could talk. Singing has always been in my life, I’ve been singing my way through this world pretty well since day one.
How would you describe your music? Roots music, Americana, Country, Folk…. Have I covered them all? I don’t really think it’s up to me as an artists to categorize myself… I’ll happily assume any label that music fans give me! Honestly though -it’s narrative driven twangy folk, it’s rootsy, sometimes country and definitely Americana.
Who are your musical influences? My favourite songwriter has always been John Prine. At least for the past 15 or so years. I grew up listening to him, my folks had all his records, always felt nostalgic and familiar etc… But it wasn’t until my early 20’s when I finally started to understand what he was writing about. That’s when I became a true fan. I’d also count Neil Young, Greg Brown, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Guy Clark, Nancy Griffith, Emmylou Harris as major musical influences. There’s a just way too many to list here… Those are who come to mind.
What is your favorite concert you have attended? What made it memorable? I think my favourite concert was Dr John at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. One of those perfect nights, a distinct mark in my memory.
What is your favorite place to perform? What do you like about it? There’s so many great stages… My first real show was at the Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club in Winnipeg. It’s the local musicians hang-out/honkey tonk. I love that bar and that stage so much. I always feel lucky when I play there, and I’m always slightly scared and intimidated… I trust that venue and the people that come to shows there.
Other than artists, who has been influential in your decision to become a singer? My parents, my sister, my wife, all the dogs I’ve ever had…. More than anything the landscape of western Manitoba… The geography influences me more than anything or anyone else.
What was the first song you wrote? Ha.. the first songs I wrote was called “Runaway Child” I was in 6th grade… It was awful… Mostly consisted of me singing the words “Runaway Child” over and over again… Fender Strat through a blues jr turned up to 10.
What is your favorite original song? What was the inspiration behind it? “Big Smoke” is a song I wrote that seems to tap into something pretty important. It’s a retelling of the prodigal son story, told from the perspective of the good brother waiting for the bad brother to come home. It takes place somewhere on the Canadian Prairie right balanced in the middle of the tension between urban and rural life in North-America.
What does it mean to you to be selected to play Americanafest? It’s an honour to get to play Americanafest. It’s a chance for me to get to see some of the best songwriters and performers in the world and also an amazing place to catch up with friends I’ve made touring for the past decade.
Where can people hear your music?https://delbarber.com/