Columbus Alive: Barnes back at carving, music (2016)

Columbus Alive, September 28th, 2016:

While taking a break from carving out a niche for himself in the local music scene, Ricky Barnes started carving out a niche for himself in the art scene. By carving. 

“I was trying to get the music thing going,” said Barnes of his ’80s/’90s-era alt-country outfit High Sheriff Ricky Barnes & the Hoot Owls, which released a few albums on Columbus label OKra Records. But after a day spent on the water, a friend suggested another pursuit. 

“I was the worst, laziest fisherman,” Barnes said with a laugh. “I would always pick up a stick and just spend the whole time whittling.” 

Barnes’ earliest carving efforts were busts made from blocks of walnut or basswood. He had no tools, he said, and walnut is among the hardest of woods. 

“I just started doing it more and more and then sharing it with people. The rest is history,” he joked.

Know Yer Band: High Sheriff Ricky Barnes & The Hoot Owls

Band: High Sheriff Ricky Barnes & The Hoot Owls

Members
Vocals/Guitar - Ricky Barnes
Guitar/Backing Vocals - Tony Fischer
Bass - Matt Newman/Jeff Passifume
Drums - John Sowder/Louis Tsamous
Steel Guitar/Banjo/Backing Vocals - Billy Hill

Releases
1988 - Lost Track Of Time album (Okra Records)
1990 - Bone Country album (Okra Records)
1991 - Ya Finally Said Something Good album (Okra Records)
1994 - Welcome To Hilltop USA (Okra Records)

Know Yer Band: Hank McCoy And The Dead Ringers

Band: Hank McCoy And The Dead Ringers

Musicians
Vocals - Hank Mccoy
Guitar/Vocals - Matt Newman
Bass - Pete Cary, Randy Stockwell, Jeff Passifiume, Trent Arnold
Drums - James Castoe, Charles Lenprere "Prairie" Prince Jr., Jeff Peters
Backing Vocals - Kristi Leigh Jendry, Ricky Barnes, Artie Kelgar, Andy Milton, Chris Allwein, Dan Spurgeon
Additional Guitar/Strings - Brad Westall, M. D. Der Bing, Dave Schramm, Pete Remenyi, Edward Townsend Jr., Sandy Jones
Piano - Jim Maneri, Bob Hite

Releases
1992 - self-titled album (OKra Records)
1992 - Still Feeling Blue / Lately My Luck Has Been Changing album (OKra Records)
1994 - Mohawk Street album (OKra Records)