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Welcome to one of the pages about Barry Bynum,
rock and blues guitarist/songwriter, Christian
worship leader, recently relocated to USA after 6
years in Ireland...what follows is an article
from a Texas newspaper describing some of what
has happened up to now
(courtesy New Braunfels Herald)-
When
a Texan who is a well known
and
traveled Christian
rock and blues guitarist/songwriter goes to
Ireland to live and tour for six years, then
returns to his home state, one of the questions
that arises is: Just what is it that you
did over there anyway?.
is
the man, and the guitar is his instrument, and
when he begins to explain his travels and
background, one could have a hard time keeping
up. Suffice it to say that hes been a lot,
done a lot, and seen a lot. of things. Most of
them have had to do with music, or the Gospel, or
both.
Whether in an
intimate setting, playing a solo acoustic set, or
using an elaborate backup band and singers, Bynum
has been known in Ireland, England, Europe, and
America for the fun and friendly nature of his
concerts, and for amazing guitar skills, plus
songwriting that delves into the spiritual sides
of life with the ease and grace of a seasoned
pro.
And is it any wonder? I could play the
uke! before I could stay up well on
a bike, Barry recalls fondly his early days
of learning to play. The classic garage
band, crowds staying away by the thousands. A lot
of experiments in a musical lab, with some
explosions!
The space between then and now holds a long list
of tours, recordings, working with a few legends
(and some infamous), ups and downs, stops and
restarts, musical exploration, soul searching,
having a family.
Then
theres this curious little thing about
Northern Ireland.
At age 16, the young
guitarist helped to form the ground-breaking band
Liberation Suite
with some buddies
in San Marcos
("Lib" went on to be popular in the
British Isles and Europe) , after what he calls
new life and true freedom came to him
because of Jesus Christ. But it was
in Ireland on the first tour that Barry and the
others in the band began a long relationship with
the people on that little piece of green to the
left of the Queen.
"When people
would hear we went to Belfast to live, their
concept was like.... Northern Ireland is
barbedwire, guns, bombs.... the classic picture
of a terrorist-controlled state. Theres
some of that, and we were exposed to a little of
it, but its not what you think. Most people
want peace, and from what I saw, the true
Christians are in the forefront of fostering the
move away from division and bigotry. God has been
so gracious...true reconciliation is alive and
well, and alongside it is true spiritual revival,
especially among the younger ones. ----
After years of
recording, touring and being based in Texas,
London, and L.A.,, 'Lib' Suite scaled down its
operation, and Barry went on to a solo career,
actually moving his base to Belfast along with
his wife, Kristi. While in Ireland, they were
blessed with a son called Jack (Irish name?).
Barry released two albums of his own in Europe as
well as holding to a fairly heavy schedule of
concerts, and regularly leading a rock music
worship service at an urban church. The latest
album, "To
You",
includes live recordings of Bynum in that
setting, along with studio tracks. Released Dec.
'98, it continues to receive airplay and sales in
Europe. The previous 1995 recording, Stickin
Your Neck Out,
received significant airplay in Western Europe.
Both albums were recorded using musicians from
Ireland.---- (theband)
buy CD's U.K.: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/1006/114bynum.html
( buy
CD's, USA: barrybynum@hotmail.com).......(
"You know, in a lot of
ways, the Irish are no different from anyone
else, and everybody needs the
touch from the Lord. The natural spiritual
sensitivity they have seems to open up when the
Holy Spirit moves. As for me, I have been blessed
to be able to communicate about Him in a language
I enjoy speaking, the music, and the response
here has overall been real good.
(some
scripture
i love)
The Irish
have a slightly different take on R & B and
Soul, which influence my music a lot, and
Ive enjoyed seeing what some of them do
with a Texan idea. I cut my songwriting teeth on
the first British Invasion, and got interested in
Texas and Chicago Blues along the way, so
somewhere in all that mix-up is the styles we
have enjoyed. Really music is music. There is a
real affinity in Ireland for Americans,
especially ones from Texas, so that adds up to a
great opportunity for me. People have been
wonderful, I'm so grateful, I love them as an
audience.... I think I must be friends with half
the country. (Irish
Interview)
So what about now?
Being back in Texas is an adjustment, to be sure,
but apparently the veteran guitar man is eating
it up.
In
terms of playing and travel, were sort of
taking that slowly, a step at a time. There are a
few tours planned, to Alaska twice, and back to
Ireland for a short stay in summer '99...Having
our little boy near his grandparents has been
great. It seems I may be led by the Lord to be a
worship leader for a Texas church or
organisation. We are taking a little space and
waiting to see what God has planned.
serif">
Update 2003-04 --
for the last 4 years a full schedule of being a
contemporary worship leader on staff in Texas and
touring performer has continued, with 3 tours back
to Ireland, the most recent to play guitar with his friend
Robin Mark on the upcoming "REVIVAL IN BELFAST 2"
which should be released in USA July 2004.
Also Barry has, along with other songrwriting
and musician friends, formed a group called 'WeaR That ShoE'
which is recording debut album now, hoping to finish
production by autumn 2004.
(see for UPDATE: WorshipLeader.html
also see:
https://barrybynum.tripod.com/HillCountryFaith.html
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