User:Barry McCloud

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There is probably not a time in his life that writer and photographer, BARRY McCLOUD has not been involved in the entertainment industry. He was born in London, England in 1943 and came from an entertainment family on his mother’s side. He was age four when he made his first stage appearance. When he was 13, he bought his first guitar and shortly after, joined a traditional jazz band and then a skiffle group. When he was 16, he started a rock’n’roll band, Brad Martin & the Lyrics and also played guitar with the London Student Jazz Orchestra.

During the 60s Folk boom, he started a Folk club and also played around the London scene. In 1968, he set up Folk From Sheba, which within 18 months had become the largest Folk agency in the U.K. He then joined the Red Bus Company, as agency head, handling Mungo Jerry and Humble Pie. About this time, he started song writing and his first effort, Keeper Of My Heart, appeared on Paul Brett Sage’s Jubilation Foundry album. During the 70’s and 80’s, he continued song writing, record promoting and DJing.

In 1987, thanks to the help of the legendary Bob Montgomery, he started co-writing with some of Nashville’s top songwriters and set up his own music publishing company. About this time, he became an in demand writer of liner-notes for several labels both in the U.K. and U.S.

By now, his real love of Country music had surfaced and in 1985, he commenced research on the most comprehensive encyclopedia of Country music ever produced. In January 1990, while still working on the book, he had his first single released as a recording artist and it was made a Cash Box Hit Pick. The same year, he put together the Bounty Hunters and they played the celebrated Wembley Festival, opening for Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel.

Although playing live dates, the book was never far away. He moved to Nashville at the end of 1992 to do further work on the encyclopedia and to continue his song writing, recording and performing career. A month after his arrival, his book research came to fruition, when a contract was made with the Putnam Berkley Publishing Group (Perigee Books) for “Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music and its Performers.”

During 1994, he completed the book and it was released the following year and soon became one of the industry’s “bibles.” Barry McCloud’s knowledge of popular music bridges all formats including Country, Soul and R&B, rock’n’roll, Heavy Rock, Folk and Pop music. He soon began working on the cd-ROM version with software house, StarWorks.

During 1996, Barry McCloud began an on-screen expert relationship for Greystone Productions. He appeared in “Life and Time of Ernest Tubb” and went on to appear on “Country Crooners” and on A&E’s “Biography of Tammy Wynette” and “Biography of The Osmonds.” He also co-wrote with Leslie Selfe an episode of Cinetel’s America’s Castles for A&E, entitled “The Vanderbilts Aboad.” He also continued to write for a slew of magazines on both side of the Atlantic, including the “Washington Times’” magazine, “The World & I.”

In 1997, he moved back into artist representation and booking and his company and Magnum Nexus Private Limited, based in New Delhi, India, went into partnership to present corporate and public events in India and the Middle East. As a result, he spent much of the year traveling around the world, visiting India, the Middle East and England.

The first version of the cd-ROM of “Definitive Country” appeared in the spring of 1999. A major distribution and marketing deal was inked for the cd-ROM with DreamWorks/Universal. This had the support of country.com and TNN (The Nashville Network) and was nominated for the prestigious Belmont Prize from Belmont University.

As well as continuing to write for print media, he also acted as special consultant, producer and writer on Country music and Bluegrass for Sirius Satellite Radio. His work for Sirius included writing and producing a series of programs with Ricky Skaggs. He also became a much-in demand photographer for various entertainment events and conventions and record labels.

During the start of the new millennium, Barry McCloud’s work load was finely balanced between his website, www.countrymusicfactsandnews.com, editing, writing and photographing for “Tour Guide Journal,” one of the leading concert touring magazines in the U.S. and being the Nashville photographer for West Coast agency, Shooting Star International.

By 2006, Barry McCloud was concentrating on writing and photographing a new book, “String Fever,” operating his Blue Mountain Photography Studio and acting. During the year, he was one of the main actors in Soaring Eagle Pictures 48 Hour Movie Project, “WAG ON,” playing psychiatrist, Dr. Helmett Neeley. The movie was named Best Comedy.

Over the years, his wide-ranging experiences within the entertainment industry have helped shape his ability to think on his feet. He has a sharp wit, warped sense of humor and ready smile. Barry McCloud is equally at home in front of the television camera, behind the microphone and in front of a live audience.

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