Barby Holder —

      Yep,  this Full-Time Music Thingy Just Might Workout

 

    She began playing piano at age 17 and then soon moved on to guitar so she could sing at the local coffee house. One gig led to another and she realized that music was going to be her career of choice. She obtained a degree in Communications of the Arts. The degree has helped her with her ultimate goal and vision for her music and that is not only for her to receive, but that the audience  be blessed by her talent. That the music moves them and makes them become involved in the total performance. She  loves it when the crowd starts singing along and they start tapping their feet.

   Barby is known for her "finger pickin' style on the guitar. When asked how she developed that style of playing the story goes she saw another musician playing that particular style. She bugged and bugged him to teach her. He gave her one lesson and then told her to find the book "Happy Trauma Finger Pickin". It wasn't easy to find that particular book but she did and taught herself and  has developed her own style of playing. Along with her beautiful voice, the finger pickin', and playing the hammered dulcimer it gives Barby's performances sounds that calm the soul and refreshes  ones spirit. One time Barby had a 102 year old woman come up to her and say, "I thought I heard it all but this is the first time I heard one of those [referring to the hammered dulcimer], it was beautiful!"

    Being a solo performer Barby has performed in clubs, nursing homes, private parties, colleges, coffeehouses, Fine Arts and Highland Festivals throughout the United States. Once Barby performs a gig they usually have her come back year after year. She has a weekly Wednesday night gig at T. Brendan O'Reilly's at Four Points inside the Sheraton in Harrisburg. It's an Irish Pub and Barby adds the sounds  for the evening. She has some devoted fans that follow her and they drive up from Maryland and come from Lebanon to enjoy her music and sing along with a few tunes and enjoy some Irish brew.

    In July of every year (except 2) since 1993, for 7 weekends, the Sterling Renaissance Festival on Lake Ontario in upstate New York, is the destination.  At Sterling, and at many renaissance festivals - that forum many refer to as "21st century vaudeville" - you'll find the finest and most diverse entertainers of this era, depicting an era 500 or more years gone. 

   In August, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire continues the circuit for many of the performers and artisans, while others go forth in all directions to other festivals.   Since 1989 Barby's been a featured musician at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.   Ten seasons at the Italian Renaissance at Vizcaya in Miami, which followed the Ringling Medieval Faire in Sarasota, which followed the Florida Keys Renaissance Ren Faire made for some warm winters and fine traveling.  Most years, these or similar shows wrap around yet another seven-week faire in the Tampa Bay area.  

   Many of the festivals have evolved through the years, changing venues and sponsors; the Pennsylvania and Sterling locations have remained the same since their inceptions.  That constant makes returning each season feel like a return to "Home" for Barby.

     One favorite festival is the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in Perdido Key, Florida, hosted by Joe Gilchrist, which invites established songwriters from all over the country to present their songs, attend seminars and concerts, and hang out with peers and fellow songwriters.  Mickey Newbury was one of the founders and his memory is a cherished facet of that event.  Its main venue, the Florabama, was leveled by Hurricane Ivan some years back, but it's still held at venues on Perdido and in nearby Pensacola Beach and Gulf Shores."

    Recording on the Barbary Coast label, Barby has released 5 CDs over the years.  Including "Haunt me Forever, "Nor'westers and "The Moon's Fool" to name a few.  Barby is looking to record in the near future.