Barbara Carr

Barbara started her musical career in the church as The Crosby Sisters in St Louis. While under age for clubs, she became interested in rhythm and blues. With so much inspiration from the greats, she founded her first group, The Comets Combo. Her father had to escort her to clubs but she continued with this group for about two years.

In 1963 she joined Pat and Dorthea Ewing in a vocal group called The Petites. They recorded a 45 on the Teek label, “Lonely Girl/l Believe The Man Love Me.” In 1965 Oliver Sain was looking for a female vocalist to replace the departed Fontella Bass. Barbara was hired. Her first recording with Chess Records was in 1966. “My Mama Told Me/I Can’t Stop Now” became a Northern Soul hit and is still being played today. Her association with Oliver Sain lasted seven years.

Barbara joined the group, Jerry and The Soulful Five in early 1972. This group was made up of former Sain musicians lead by drummer, Jerry Walker. Six months later, she joined The Apostles. After two years, most of the members were drafted into the military. She founded a group called Barbara Carr & One Shade Lighter for a short time, then moved on to The Stable Mates. They attracted a good deal of local attention due to a long term residency at The Playboy Club.

In 1975 quite by accident, she started performing country music. Her neighbor, a country music songwriter created this interest. This new found interest resulted in three singles, two of which were recorded in Nashville and one in St Louis. Even with air play on country stations, Barbara was once again drawn back into rhythm and blues.

In 1982 she founded Bar -Carr Records and recorded in Muscle Shoals a 45 produced by Harrison Calloway, “I Don’t Need Nobody Else/Reaching Out To You.” In 1984 a Bar-Carr album was released entitled “Good Woman Go Bad.” These 10 songs put Barbara on her journey that has made her an International performer today.

In 1996 Barbara joined Ecko Records with her first CD, “Footprints On The Ceiling.” She went on to release 7 more CDs on Ecko. Many of these still are being played daily around the world. In 2008 Barbara joined CDS Records from California. Her latest CD, “Savvy Woman” was released Feb 17, 2009. With much airplay both in the US and abroad, club dates are filled up until the end of the year.

After 50 + years of performing, Barbara still brings crowds of fans to their feet with her soulful/blues voice that’s as strong as ever, if not better.