Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to TODD BARROW. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi TODD, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I’m so excited to share my story with you. This project forever changed my path to success on so many levels. When I met my close friend Sonny Burgess I had know idea where things were going to go. He had just started at a children’s hospital as a director of creative arts. After we met we started working on all kinds of projects for patients at the hospital. Then one day he showed me some blueprints for a TV/Recording studio called the CLZ zone. He asked, if I would assist in putting this together. The backstory is Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman were funding the project! This led to meeting both of them in person which was incredible. We then went to work with a crew to build this amazing place for children and families at the hospital. Plenty of activities throughout the day filmed everyday and kids with cancer recording songs they wrote with Sonny. Most rewarding project of my life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
A chance encounter at Cook Children’s Medical Center is all it took to set Todd Barrow on his mission to revamp classic country with his signature modern twist. One day, an American Idol contestant was slated to perform for the patients at Todd’s place of employment, but the audio tech was nowhere to be found. When he heard the call, “Can anybody here run sound?” Todd answered. In walked Texas Music Hall of Fame Honoree Sonny Burgess just as Todd was setting up the live rig, and the two musicians struck up a conversation. Sonny told Todd about his work with Charlie Pride and Randy Travis, and asked Todd if he might lend his technical skills to help build the recording studio sponsored by Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman he that had in the works. This serendipitous encounter yielded a coffee meeting to review the blueprints for the project, and before long, Sonny was meeting Todd for coffee weekly to discuss music. Eventually, he became Todd’s mentor, forever changing the course of Todd’s career.
Now, Todd Barrow is making a name for himself as a country artist to watch. The Texas singer-songwriter has racked up more than a few accolades, from a PRSA Award of Excellence, to an Akademia Award for Best Country Album, and an artist spotlight in Alternative Roots Magazine, American Pride Magazine and AVA Radio. Recently,featured in Red Silk Carpet magazine as chart topping country artist. Performed along side Allison Balson the TV star from Little House On The Prairie! He has appeared on television shows including Good Morning Texas with Jerry Matheny and Texas Music Café on PBS. He’s even shared the stage and studio with some of country music’s heaviest hitters, from CMA musicians in Miranda Lambert’s band to Fort Worth Producer of the Year Bart Rose. But it’s more than just Todd’s success to date that makes him such a compelling country artist. What’s most readily apparent in Todd Barrow’s music is his heart.
Todd’s music is no country for old men. While he undoubtedly draws his sonic influence from titans like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, his melodies skew modern. He plays almost every instrument, from piano to guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and drums, and the multi-instrumentalist doubles as a songwriter for himself as well as for other artists. “”If I can put a smile on someone’s face through song, well that just means the world to me,” he says. “I try to get to the real heart and soul of a song. To me, it’s not just words but a story, and I do my best to portray that with every line. That’s my main draw to country music; the stories, the people, and the sincerity that comes from the heart.”
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I had to go through the school of hard knocks! I knew that social media is the modern platform for publicity and relating to society. One of my strengths is marketing/advertising. You have to connect with people’s hearts to get them with you. I hired a company to help me build my brand. Branding is important because it describes who you are as a person/business. Telling stories on FB, Twitter, Instagram that relate to humanity is key. Find topics people want to give feedback, share with the world. Stay away from politics and religion this will only hinder your way to the top!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
It is a very big responsibility as a artist or creative person. You can make or break certain situations. People will look up to you for guidance and direction. This is the power of music which is emotional, spiritual and universal. We pave the way for the future with creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ToddBarrowMusic.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ToddBarrowMusic1
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ToddBarrowMusic
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/ToddBarrowMusic
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ToddBarrowMusic
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/C/ToddBarrow
- Yelp: https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrFfalU7fJiLDAAsG1XNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMyNDI4MlVTLUNfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1660116436/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.yelp.com%2fbiz%2ftodd-barrow-burleson/RK=2/RS=VU1yWxUzQCEc82jzn1QY8JhKsbE-
Image Credits
Greg White Julie Barrow Todd Barrow