Award winning singer/songwriter Barrie Dempsey plays more than just electric and acoustic guitar. His musical talent include , flute, harmonica, piano, lead and harmony vocals.
Born in North Plainfield New Jersey. After high school Barrie enrolled in School of Visual Arts, New York City to study fine art. Actively pursuing music through high school and art school, he was lead singer, harmonica and flute player in many rock and blues style bands. One band opened for Rhinoceros, a popular band in the NY area at the time. Vocal influences were Paul Rodgers and Greg Allman among others. He learned to play blues harmonica listening and playing along with John Lee Hooker and John Mayall records for hours on end.
Barrie had a duo called Dempsey and Owens that played in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York area. They had original songs and played festivals and clubs likeThe Rock Bottom Inn, where they wrote a theme song for them. In 1973 he recorded a song at the Record Plant Studio, NYC where he wrote the lyrics and the melody for song called Safe and Sound. At the same time John Lennon and Yoko Uno were putting the strings on the Imagine record. At the time concerts at the Fillmore East in New York City were going strong and he would walk from school down to buy tickets for the shows.
Barrie Dempsey moved to California in the mid 70’s and was a member of the Amber Band. The group did covers, originals and recorded a documentary of the band with all original works for San Diego State University that won an award in 1980. The Amber Band was the house band at the Bull and Bear in El Cajon, Ca. for more than a year with a strong following.
Barrie has been the featured performer at “Burlap and Bean” in Newtown Square, PA , played at World Café, Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington De. In January of 2013 he was on WCFA-LP 101.5 FM in Cape May, NJ for a half hour show with MQ Murphy – host of “Six Degrees” and an hour show with Roy Baker - host, “Open Mic” radio program doing original songs on acoustic guitar and harmonica. Roy requested his song “Open Mic” be used for his theme song. You can listen to it on Reverbnation. In June of 2014 he played at the Del Mar Fair in Del Mar, California. In January of 2015 Barrie was interviewed by Cathryn Beeks on Listen Local Radio, San Diego, CA you can hear it here on the HOME page. He is also currently an 2015 nominiee for "Best Country Artist" for the LA Music awards.
Currently Barrie has put together a collection of originals on his first CD titled "Barrie Dempsey", which has been awarded Best Album Folk/Singer-Songwriter at The Akademia. Produced by Track Star Studios in La Mesa, CA. He is also currently working on his next CD.
Nominated for "Best Country Artist" at the Los Angeles Music Awards.
Congratulations on having your song ‘Chase Me Down’ hit the #1 position on KXRL Radio and its affiliated network stations during the month of July 2015. This accomplishment is a tribute to your talent, hard work and perseverance.
Barrie has been nomintated for "Best County Artist" of the year by the Los Angeles Music Awards for the song "Chase Me Down". You can listen to it at www.barriedempsey.com
AND please VOTE at
http://www.lamusicawards.net/nominees.html
'With a distinct textured voice, flawless acoustic arrangements and a clear penchant for creating unforgettable hooks, Barrie Dempsey has crafted a masterful collection of songs that are sure to endure.'
8680 Navajo Rd. #109
San Diego, CA 92119
8916 Foothill Blvd
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
900 Riverside Dr.
Burbank, CA 91506
Little Italy
Location TBA
900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy
El Cajon, CA 91019
1667 N Mountain Ave
Upland CA
91784
Union & Cedar
San Diego, CA
401 G St.
San Diego, CA 92101
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92104
Alpine, CA
Old Town, San Diego
Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad, CA
La Jolla, CA
El Cajon, CA
La Jolla, CA
San Diego, CA
Time TBA
Oceanside, CA
Cape May, NJ
San Diego, CA
La Jolla, CA
http://www.jamesplacesd.com
Oceanside, CA
Farmers Market street fair
Old Town