Dave Barnes

David Mckee Barnes was born on June 20, 1978, in South Carolina. He spent most of his childhood in Kosciusko, Mississippi, before his family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he graduated from Farragut High School in 1996. Barnes attended Middle Tennessee State University, earning a degree in Recording Industry Management. During his college years, he began playing guitar and writing songs, initially intending to write for other performers. Encouraged by his peers, he started performing his own work, first on campus and then at nearby regional universities.

Barnes’ musical journey began with the independent release of a 10-track demo album, “little fist big hurt,” around 2000. Following his university graduation, he heavily toured, leading to the release of his five-song EP, “Three, Then Four,” in 2002. This release, along with extensive touring and internet promotion, helped him expand his fan base. He later connected with record producer Ed Cash, who had previously worked with Bebo Norman. At Cash’s suggestion, Barnes recorded a full-band studio LP, “Brother, Bring The Sun,” released in September 2004. This album garnered critical acclaim for its songwriting and production, drawing attention from artists like Amy Grant, Vince Gill, and John Mayer. Barnes further solidified his presence in the music scene with his second full-band studio album, “Chasing Mississippi,” released in 2006. In 2008, he signed with Razor and Tie, releasing his major-label debut, “Me and You and the World.”

A significant turning point in Barnes’ career occurred when Blake Shelton released a version of his song, “God Gave Me You.” This track became Blake Shelton’s fifth number one song on country radio and sold over one million units. Barnes received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Song in 2012 for writing “God Gave Me You.” This success led him to become a sought-after songwriter, penning tracks for artists including Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Lady A, Chris Tomlin, and Dan and Shay. Beyond music, Barnes delves into other creative endeavors, hosting two podcasts, “Dave’s Five Hot Takes” and “Dadville,” a collaboration with Jon McLaughlin. He also explores stand-up comedy, releasing his debut comedy album, “It’s Hard Being an Idiot: A Stand-up Comedy Special,” in 2021. His latest full-length album, “Featherbrained Wealth Motel,” was released in 2023.