Joe Barry (singer)

Joe Barry (born Joseph Barrios, 13 July 1939, Cut Off, Louisiana - died 31 August 2004) was an American swamp pop singer active on the early rock and roll scene.

Barry started recording locally in 1958, and released two singles on Jin Records around 1960. In 1961, the second single he released for Jin, "I'm a Fool to Care" (originally a hit for Les Paul and Mary Ford), was picked up for national distribution by Mercury Records subsidiary Smash Records. The tune hit #15 on the U.S. Black Singles chart and #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. [ [http://wc01.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hzfpxqy5ldke~T5 Billboard Singles] , Allmusic.com] The tune also charted in the United Kingdom. The follow-up single, "Teardrops in My Heart", also charted in the U.S. but did not reach the Top 40. [http://wc01.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hzfpxqy5ldke~T1 Biography] , Allmusic.com] Barry released several more singles on Smash and Nugget Records later in the 1960s but left the music industry soon after.

Barry returned to music in 1977, releasing a full-length country album, and followed with a religious album in 1980. Health problems prevented him from continuing a career in music later in his life until 2003, when he released an album which took several years of overdubbing to complete due to his physical limitations. He died in his birthplace of Cut Off, Louisiana, on 31 August 2004.

Discography

*"Joe Barry" (ABC Records/Dot Records, 1977)
*"Sweet Rose of Sharon" (1980)
*"I'm a Fool to Care: The Complete Recordings 1958-1977" (compilation) (Night Train Records, 1999)
*"Been Down that Muddy Road" (Night Train, 2003)

References