Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Barnett.
Caleb, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Richland Hills and I come from a very musical family. Most of my immediate and extended family plays an instrument or sings. As for me, I started playing drums at the age of 7. My brother, Daniel, got a drum set for his 12th birthday but showed more interest in guitar so the drum set just sat in the corner of the living room for a while. I took it upon myself to show it some love one day and the next thing I knew, I was playing in church. Thanks, Mom. Like most musicians growing up in the South, playing in church is often where young musicians “cut their teeth” and propels many to have successful careers in music. I am fortunate to be one of those. Although I have a very busy playing schedule, I still play in church at 26 and I am forever grateful for all of my friends and mentors who have helped me along the way. When I wasn’t playing at church, Dan and I would jam Metallica songs in our living room. He would teach me the specific drum parts and make me listen intently to the records with him. As much as I wanted to punch him in the face some days, I am so glad he took me under his wing and took time to help me develop musically! Thanks, bro. While I was learning drums, my Mom insisted that all of the kids take piano lessons. I wasn’t too fond of this at the time but, I remember my Mom saying to me, “You will regret quitting piano when you are older.” She was absolutely right! However, my time in piano lessons helped me easily transition into middle school and high school band where students were learning to read music literature and understand theory from scratch. I was ahead of the curve because of what I learned in piano. Thanks again, Mom. I played percussion in the school band from 6th grade through 12th grade.
Throughout those years, I was involved in Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band and I even had the chance to perform with the Musical Theater Orchestra. THAT was the highlight of my high school band “career.” I would love to be a Broadway musician at some point in my life. After high school, I bounced around a few different colleges and worked a few different jobs before deciding that I wanted to fully commit to getting a degree in music. By this time, I was 21 and my brother Ben was 18, about to graduate high school. We decided to study together at the same college once he did. Fortunately, we were both accepted to Berklee College of Music and quickly found ourselves moving to Boston to start in the Fall of 2013.
Let me just say, the three years I spent in Boston were probably the greatest years of my life. I highly recommend everyone to live at least a season of your life outside of your hometown. Heck, even outside of your home state. Boston was a bit of a culture shock at first for this Texas boy but, I quickly fell in love with the Northeast. I met so many wonderful people, musicians and developed life-long friendships while I was there. Playing with Casey McQuillen (American Idol ’13) opened the most doors for me and my brother and I would consider that to be the highlight of my Berklee career. She was incredible to work for and is INSANELY talented. Check her stuff out! I was fortunate to work with a lot of people from all over the world while I was there and I am forever grateful for that season of my life. Our original post-graduation plan was to move to NYC but some resources back in Texas became available to us that we couldn’t pass up. My brother would then open The Hang Studios in Fort Worth and I quickly became an in-demand drummer around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I was subbing for a lot of different bands my first year back in town before taking over the full-time position with a Dallas band called Time Machine. I have been with Time Machine for almost a year now and it has been an absolute blast!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Luckily, it has been a smooth road for the most part. I was very worried about not being able to find work but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Dallas is fertile with opportunity as a performing musician! Nothing substantial comes easily so, I’ve had my fair share of struggles along the way. I had to fall on my face what felt like hundreds of times when I first started with Time Machine since it’s an absolute beast of a gig! The band has almost 1,000 songs in the catalogue and any of them could be called at ANY time. I had two weeks to prepare before I took over the position and came into the gig knowing maybe 20% of their music. But now, I feel much more confident after having to learn on the fly! Overall, my largest obstacle throughout my career thus far has been having to learn HUNDREDS of songs and in a very short amount time. Also, having the stamina to be able to play for three hours five to six nights a week certainly didn’t come easily at first!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Caleb Barnett Music – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am still considered an independent contractor although, I am a member of Time Machine. Time Machine plays weddings, private parties, clubs, casinos, you name it! We cover just about everything from the 60’s to what you hear on the radio today. My career in Dallas thus far has been heavily rooted in the cover band scene but I also do recording sessions and perform with original artists whenever I can. I’m known around town as being reliable, showing up prepared and having a positive attitude. This has yielded great results for me so far.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m just going to keep playing, developing my craft and expanding my network. I’m currently working on a few original projects that will be released within the near future. I have an awesome feeling about 2018 and that doors are going to keep opening for even greater opportunities!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.calebbarnettmusic.com
- Phone: 817-690-3013
- Email: cbarnettmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: @calebbarnettmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/caleb.barnett.7
- Other: www.timemachinetheband.com
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