Home Page
Folks -
I met this guy John Rhys and thought you would enjoy browsing his webcasts.
He has been involved with music and the music business his whole life. When he was six years old he saw Hank Williams perform and knew right then and there exactly what he was going to do when he grew up...
Well I don't think he ever grew up but he sure did learn his craft. He's a song writer, a musician, an engineer, a producer, and a publisher.
He's a man on a mission to give singer-songwriters a place to be heard.
He's developed a webcast at www.bluepower.com and it is very flattering that he chose to interview me for the latest edition. I got to play 4 songs. He is a one-of-a-kind guy who seriously listens and understands the many forms that songwriting can take.
John has said things to me about my own music that I have only said to myself.
He's tall and lanky and (this is his description not mine) he looks like, "a yella cab coming at you with all it's doors open". I'm very lucky to have his support.
I saw him perform with his band, Uncle Tom, at MoreArt. They knocked me out with their excellent musicianship and songs.
When you get to his web page you will find a wealth of talent. I have browsed quite a bit of his archival material and I am always entertained. So give him and me a listen and enjoy www.bluepower.com.
Take it easy but take it,
Barry
I met this guy John Rhys and thought you would enjoy browsing his webcasts.
He has been involved with music and the music business his whole life. When he was six years old he saw Hank Williams perform and knew right then and there exactly what he was going to do when he grew up...
Well I don't think he ever grew up but he sure did learn his craft. He's a song writer, a musician, an engineer, a producer, and a publisher.
He's a man on a mission to give singer-songwriters a place to be heard.
He's developed a webcast at www.bluepower.com and it is very flattering that he chose to interview me for the latest edition. I got to play 4 songs. He is a one-of-a-kind guy who seriously listens and understands the many forms that songwriting can take.
John has said things to me about my own music that I have only said to myself.
He's tall and lanky and (this is his description not mine) he looks like, "a yella cab coming at you with all it's doors open". I'm very lucky to have his support.
I saw him perform with his band, Uncle Tom, at MoreArt. They knocked me out with their excellent musicianship and songs.
When you get to his web page you will find a wealth of talent. I have browsed quite a bit of his archival material and I am always entertained. So give him and me a listen and enjoy www.bluepower.com.
Take it easy but take it,
Barry
check this out. . .
Native son Cullison brought the news from Hollywood
By Doug Carroll
Hollywood actor, musician and songwriter Barry Cullison may not have the star stature of Red Skelton, but he has more in common with the late Vincennes Renaissance man than he might admit or know.
Both men were born and spent their childhoods in Vincennes. Both men stepped on a professional stage for the first time at the downtown Pantheon Theatre. Both men were influenced by members from the same family — Clarence Stout Sr. was the mentor to Skelton, and his son, Clancy Stout, as a junior high teacher encouraged Cullison to pursue acting as a career.
And both men are humble about their fame and proud to call Vincennes home.
I received an early birthday present Jan. 5 when Cullison called me and wanted to meet for the first time. Cullison, who was in town over the holidays to visit with his mother, and I had communicated through e-mails for my research and writing project called Hollywood Vincennes.
Both men were born and spent their childhoods in Vincennes. Both men stepped on a professional stage for the first time at the downtown Pantheon Theatre. Both men were influenced by members from the same family — Clarence Stout Sr. was the mentor to Skelton, and his son, Clancy Stout, as a junior high teacher encouraged Cullison to pursue acting as a career.
And both men are humble about their fame and proud to call Vincennes home.
I received an early birthday present Jan. 5 when Cullison called me and wanted to meet for the first time. Cullison, who was in town over the holidays to visit with his mother, and I had communicated through e-mails for my research and writing project called Hollywood Vincennes.
You may not know his name but, if you are a fan of TV, you have probably seen Cullison’s acting talent.
The son of Robert “Cully” and Alma Cullison has been featured in guest star roles for such TV series as “Cold Case,” “Medium,” “The X Files,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Family Matters,” “Knots Landing,” “Mike Hammer,” and “Matlock.” Cullison portrayed the character Master Sgt. Cutter on the Fox network series, “The Dirty Dozen,” and had reoccurring roles in the FOX series “The Heights” and ABC series “The Young Riders.” He has appeared in movies, TV soap operas and on the Broadway stage and was featured in a 2007 mini-movie for Disney Pictures, “Wedding Bells,” which was supposed to be included on a special DVD release of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
Today, Cullison auditions for TV and film roles and is working on a singing and songwriting career that has produced four CDs and numerous personal appearances in and around his Sherman Oaks, Calif., home. His creative talent includes script writing as well, and Cullison’s music and career information are available online at his personal Web site, www.barrycullison.com.
Hollywood has changed plenty since Cullison arrived there in the 1980s when he “was going to become an actor and artist and express himself to the world and money didn’t matter.”
TV and film productions are leaving the California setting for locations throughout the country including such unlikely shooting sets as Detroit and Tucson, Ariz. The advent of reality TV shows has diminished the job opportunities for both actors and writers as well, according to Cullison.
“When I first arrived in Hollywood I would do auditions and producers would talk to me about how good things would be if they could just get rid of the writers,” Cullison remembered. “I scratched my head and wondered where the material would come from to create roles for actors. Now reality TV has allowed producers to get rid of both writers and actors, and that means work is harder to come by in Hollywood.”
Cullison has had offers to shoot movies on location in several different parts of the country but prefers to stay close to his home these days for the same reason he works hard to land acting roles --- his wife and son. Sure, he would like to work on a regular basis and earn more money, but he does not want to sacrifice time away from his family.
Despite the competition for work in Hollywood, Cullison has not changed his attitude about acting. Auditioning is the real work to Cullison and acting is the icing on the cake.
“The audition is your main task and real job because you have to prove yourself over and over. During the audition, you have to be aware of everything around you like a keen hunter and give all that’s inside of you. Even if you do this, you still might not get the role because of a certain look, voice, etc. You could be the best in the audition and not get the job, but that is the reality of an actor’s life. Acting out the role is a vacation because you already got the job and just have to do what you enjoy doing anyway,” Cullison said.
He loves Vincennes and wouldn’t mind returning to live in his birthplace someday. Cullison enjoys the city and its history, architecture and people. Cullison said it was during his time in Vincennes when he developed his work ethic to give everything he has to every audition, role and performance.
The son of Robert “Cully” and Alma Cullison has been featured in guest star roles for such TV series as “Cold Case,” “Medium,” “The X Files,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Family Matters,” “Knots Landing,” “Mike Hammer,” and “Matlock.” Cullison portrayed the character Master Sgt. Cutter on the Fox network series, “The Dirty Dozen,” and had reoccurring roles in the FOX series “The Heights” and ABC series “The Young Riders.” He has appeared in movies, TV soap operas and on the Broadway stage and was featured in a 2007 mini-movie for Disney Pictures, “Wedding Bells,” which was supposed to be included on a special DVD release of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
Today, Cullison auditions for TV and film roles and is working on a singing and songwriting career that has produced four CDs and numerous personal appearances in and around his Sherman Oaks, Calif., home. His creative talent includes script writing as well, and Cullison’s music and career information are available online at his personal Web site, www.barrycullison.com.
Hollywood has changed plenty since Cullison arrived there in the 1980s when he “was going to become an actor and artist and express himself to the world and money didn’t matter.”
TV and film productions are leaving the California setting for locations throughout the country including such unlikely shooting sets as Detroit and Tucson, Ariz. The advent of reality TV shows has diminished the job opportunities for both actors and writers as well, according to Cullison.
“When I first arrived in Hollywood I would do auditions and producers would talk to me about how good things would be if they could just get rid of the writers,” Cullison remembered. “I scratched my head and wondered where the material would come from to create roles for actors. Now reality TV has allowed producers to get rid of both writers and actors, and that means work is harder to come by in Hollywood.”
Cullison has had offers to shoot movies on location in several different parts of the country but prefers to stay close to his home these days for the same reason he works hard to land acting roles --- his wife and son. Sure, he would like to work on a regular basis and earn more money, but he does not want to sacrifice time away from his family.
Despite the competition for work in Hollywood, Cullison has not changed his attitude about acting. Auditioning is the real work to Cullison and acting is the icing on the cake.
“The audition is your main task and real job because you have to prove yourself over and over. During the audition, you have to be aware of everything around you like a keen hunter and give all that’s inside of you. Even if you do this, you still might not get the role because of a certain look, voice, etc. You could be the best in the audition and not get the job, but that is the reality of an actor’s life. Acting out the role is a vacation because you already got the job and just have to do what you enjoy doing anyway,” Cullison said.
He loves Vincennes and wouldn’t mind returning to live in his birthplace someday. Cullison enjoys the city and its history, architecture and people. Cullison said it was during his time in Vincennes when he developed his work ethic to give everything he has to every audition, role and performance.
Thanks Doug! It was great to finally meet you, too.
Thanks for stopping by, Folks,
Take it easy, but Take it.
Barry
***************************************************************************
Darby says that his NEW First Grade photo on this site will spiff things up a bit.
I think he's right, don't you?
Until you can catch me at a live performance, you may want to have one of my CDs. E-mail me with your request and shipping info. Go to the "Hear Me" page to listen to some clips.
AND Here's a list of my available CDs:
Mission Belle $10 + $2 shipping
The Only Dream I Had / Fire & Ice / Mission Belle / Rose Without A Name / It's A Sign / Mexican Key
The Only Dream I Had / Fire & Ice / Mission Belle / Rose Without A Name / It's A Sign / Mexican Key
I had been going out to open mics and doing small gigs for several years. My Mom Alma and sister Melissa gave me a birthday present of studio time. My my, it was fun. I chose Lindy Dickerson’s studio because even though I’m playing acoustic guitar, I want an electric feel on some tunes and Lindy accomplished that very well. I also wanted to capture a performance on this CD. I've heard many CDs of other singer-songwriters that sound nothing like their live presentation because there's a pre-fab band adding parts to a song that they don't understand. I did not want to shy away from the fact that I am a solo act. I wanted my arrangements a bit bare to allow a listener (wishful thinking -to allow a buyer) to listen and come up with their own harmonies or ideas for production. I am extremely pleased with the way these 6 songs turned out. Thanks Mom, Miss and Lindy, my music has never sounded better. I think that performing these tunes live so many times helped to create a live feel on Mission Belle.
Still Deep $10 + $2 shipping
Don't Pat me On the Back / Richard Corey / The Only Dream I Had / Road Rage / Rose Without A Name / Let Me Down Easy / Handwriting on the Wall / Still Deep
My friend Lonnie Smith came up with the name for our duo; “The Other Brothers.” It really got people’s attention and for a while we were performing. Lon played some cello and I played guitar. We did some favorite covers plus some of my originals. This CD materialized by me being an engineer and a musician, which is a nerve-wracking combination. It was recorded on a 4-Track Tascam Porta 1 cassette studio machine. Somehow I blew out the first channel (too much volume?) so it's actually a 3-track machine. I have learned that limitations aid in creativity. I think the mix-down has too much treble, so when you hear this you might want to turn down the treble and turn up the bass on your stereo. Lindy says I burnt out the treble range of my hearing by playing electric lead guitar too loud in too many bands. What?
Don't Pat me On the Back / Richard Corey / The Only Dream I Had / Road Rage / Rose Without A Name / Let Me Down Easy / Handwriting on the Wall / Still Deep
My friend Lonnie Smith came up with the name for our duo; “The Other Brothers.” It really got people’s attention and for a while we were performing. Lon played some cello and I played guitar. We did some favorite covers plus some of my originals. This CD materialized by me being an engineer and a musician, which is a nerve-wracking combination. It was recorded on a 4-Track Tascam Porta 1 cassette studio machine. Somehow I blew out the first channel (too much volume?) so it's actually a 3-track machine. I have learned that limitations aid in creativity. I think the mix-down has too much treble, so when you hear this you might want to turn down the treble and turn up the bass on your stereo. Lindy says I burnt out the treble range of my hearing by playing electric lead guitar too loud in too many bands. What?
Live at McCabe's 2006 $6 + $2 shipping
Burning Bush / Our Star / Dear Mary / Lately I Don't Know
You write new songs but you don’t have the coin to go into a studio and record them. So, McCabe’s Guitar Shop has a great stage and a great reputation and most important, a great sound system. Bill Stattler runs the sound, and musicians always comment on his sound expertise. For ten bucks you can get two songs recorded to CD – What A Deal! These 4 tunes took several attempts to get them into any presentable performance at all. McCabe’s is one of the best open-mic nights in L.A. They start at 6:15 pm on the last Sunday of every month & it’s free to the musicians and audience.
Burning Bush / Our Star / Dear Mary / Lately I Don't Know
You write new songs but you don’t have the coin to go into a studio and record them. So, McCabe’s Guitar Shop has a great stage and a great reputation and most important, a great sound system. Bill Stattler runs the sound, and musicians always comment on his sound expertise. For ten bucks you can get two songs recorded to CD – What A Deal! These 4 tunes took several attempts to get them into any presentable performance at all. McCabe’s is one of the best open-mic nights in L.A. They start at 6:15 pm on the last Sunday of every month & it’s free to the musicians and audience.
Live Grounds
Don't Pat Me on the Back / Richard Corey / Rose Without a Name / Problems / Let Me Down Easy / Missin' You / The Only Dream I Had / From The Beginning / Still Deep / Can't Go On / Handwriting on the Wall / Mission Belle / Some Day We'll All Be Free / Ice Cream Man / Ride like The Wind
Highland Grounds sure were nice to us. At this gig we had my sister Melissa with us to put 3-part harmony on the songs. It was more than a 3rd harmony; it somehow completed The Other Brothers sounds. We seemed more accessible to more people. When Miss & I were young, the family would sing in the car and Melissa, being the youngest, had to fight to find her own part. So now she comes up with some rather unique voicings. Sometimes, for my ear, it’s too unique. I like it to sound pretty and to stay pretty. Miss likes weird that evolves to pretty. We had a great crowd that night and had a very good time. You’ll hear that joy on this CD. As we all know, recording a live show can be tricky. This performance was recorded off the sound board so it's great quality.
Don't Pat Me on the Back / Richard Corey / Rose Without a Name / Problems / Let Me Down Easy / Missin' You / The Only Dream I Had / From The Beginning / Still Deep / Can't Go On / Handwriting on the Wall / Mission Belle / Some Day We'll All Be Free / Ice Cream Man / Ride like The Wind
Highland Grounds sure were nice to us. At this gig we had my sister Melissa with us to put 3-part harmony on the songs. It was more than a 3rd harmony; it somehow completed The Other Brothers sounds. We seemed more accessible to more people. When Miss & I were young, the family would sing in the car and Melissa, being the youngest, had to fight to find her own part. So now she comes up with some rather unique voicings. Sometimes, for my ear, it’s too unique. I like it to sound pretty and to stay pretty. Miss likes weird that evolves to pretty. We had a great crowd that night and had a very good time. You’ll hear that joy on this CD. As we all know, recording a live show can be tricky. This performance was recorded off the sound board so it's great quality.