Biography

 

James "Barry" Waldrep is an American Bluegrass, Jam Band, Americana instrumentalist, songwriter, composer and producer.   Main instruments played are acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin and banjo.

Waldrep co-founded the Alabama-based 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 a 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. Rollin' in the Hay produced 7 CDs and performed over 300 dates per year for 16 years. 

During this time, Waldrep recorded 21 bluegrass tribute albums for 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 studio sessions with other artists. 

In 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 performed at 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 (Rolling Stones), Paul T. Riddle (Marshall Tucker Band), Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers), Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Coy Bowles (Zac Brown Band), 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 titled "Hey Country" (where are you now). 

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 (Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin & Banjo), Jason Bailey (Mandolin), Chris Reeves (Drums) & Bryan Hall (Upright Bass). Guest vocalists Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, Hank Williams Jr), 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 all all natives of Georgia and Alabama and have musical influences from Bluegrass, Jazz, Southern Rock and Gospel. 

2020, In addition to his band performances, Barry often appears with various artists including John Cowan, Radney Foster, John Berry and Jimmy Hall.

2021, Barry releases Barry Waldrep & Friends Celebrate Tony Rice.  An album he produced and recorded in tribute to Acoustic Guitar Master Tony Rice featuring: Vince Gill, Marty Raybon, John Berry, John Cowan, Rodney Crowell,Jimmy Hall, Radney Foster, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Mike Farris, Jacob Bunton, Kim Richey, Kelli Johnson & Donna Hall, John Jorgenson, Patrick Simmons, Rory Feek, Warren Haynes,Jim Lauderdale, Darrell Scott,John Paul White,Tammy Rogers,Emmylou Harris and many others.  

2022, Barry is performing dates with his band and with various artists.  Check tour schedule for more information.