Vocalist, drummer, and keyboardist. By his early teens Barry was playing drums in local dance bands. In 1955 he enlisted in the Army. While stationed in Germany he became the drummer/percussionist of the 7th United States Army Band. In the late ‘50s Barry formed his own seven-piece band called The Rock-n-Kings. The group toured Europe as part of an Elvis Presley tribute that also featured the Echoes, Billy Eckstine, Bill Haley & the Comets, Sandra Dee, and Benny Goodman.
In 1963 Barry joined the Vikings as lead vocalist. The seven-piece R&B band was noted as being one of the first successful blue-eyed R&B groups in the area. Barry became known as the “blue-eyed Otis Redding” and the group changed its name to Barry & the Vikings. They released the single “I Love You, Yes I Do” b/w “Mash Potato” on Jamie Records in 1964. The group toured nationally with many popular artists including the Dave Clark Five, Fats Domino, Platters, Otis Redding, Mitch Ryder, James Brown, and many others.
Photo courtesy of Barry
Barry later became a nationally known gospel recording artist and released his first gospel album in 1980. Through the ‘80s-‘90s he released six gospel CDs on Trail, and Trinity labels. As a member of the Crystal River Band he released a CD in 1987. Barry returned to his R&B roots in the ‘90s although his ministry and love for gospel music continued. As the Music Director and opening vocalist for Charlie Thomas’ Drifters from 1994-2003 Barry toured nationally alongside many well-known R&B artists. Locally he continued to perform as a member of the New Sentries, Sideshow, and Boss Company…
1964(7”) Jamie 1281 I Love You, Yes I Do / Mash Potato
1980(LP) Trail 0928 Five Rows Back
1982(LP) Trail I’ve Never Loved Him Better Than Today
1983(CD) Trinity Premiere Issue
1984(7”) Trinity Come Down to The Water
1987(CD) Trinity Wrapped Up (Crystal River Band)
1997(CD) Rheanna Barry G and the “New” Sentries Tribute To…
2000(CD) Rheanna Barry G/The Sentries “LIVE” Vol. I & II
2001(CD) Trinity Barry Gregory Live
Barry G & Sideshow:
2003(CD) Rheanna 6 To Go
