Today we’d like to introduce you to Wes Barlow.
Wes, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started playing violin in Georgia when I was in 4th grade. The first two years I played, I refused to learn to read music because I could hear things and then play them so I thought why waste the time? Shortly after moving to Texas I learned that I would have to read music to progress on violin! As I started working on reading violin music I also started learning to play the viola!
I played the violin in an orchestra and the viola for competitions all the way until my junior year of high school and quit shortly after getting my letter jacket. The first place I ever got on stage here in Katy was at Texas Traditions in the 7th grade I believe! I would call up there and see who was playing every Friday and Saturday, If it was a name I recognized, my parents would take me up there with my fiddle so I could try to sit in and play their music!
My first live show singing and playing guitar was my senior year of high school! Granger Smith was headlining at Wild River and they asked me to open the show! So I talked to some fellow musicians at school and put together a band! We rehearsed a few times and got to play the show!
I joined my first full-time band in college, playing the fiddle! I’ve bounced around from band to band over the years, but currently, play fiddle for an Irish Rock band out of Houston called Blaggards! I also write songs and sing on the nights that I have off from the band. Most of my acoustic shows are up in College Station, but I do have a few venues in Houston that I play!
I’ll be putting out two new songs to iTunes and Spotify in two weeks! They are called “Girls and Beer” and “Old Man Jones.”
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?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road! Bills were pretty tight there for a while, and still can be time to time. It has always been hard trying to balance a job and playing music! As a musician, weekends are busy, holidays are usually busy, spring break is the start of festival season, pretty much any time that stores need help running sales or specials I would not be available. Most jobs that started out working with when I would be on the road, didn’t end up holding through and being as flexible as I need, so I have also bounced job to job when music didn’t quite cover the bills.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I play music for a living! I’m known for playing my fiddle, so I guess you could say that is what I specialize in! I believe that my stage presence is one thing that sets me apart from the others. I just love to have a good time, and that’s part of what a venue hires me to create. They want an environment where people are having fun, not stressed and not worried about anything but the “right now.” I sing a pretty wide variety of music, have some good jokes and am typically pretty quick witted!
What were you like growing up?
My personality hasn’t really changed much as I’ve grown up, I’m generally a pretty happy person, like cracking jokes, laughing and trying new things! Growing up I was interested in trucks, the outdoors and music and I would say all of that still rings true!
Pricing:
- Wes Barlow aztec shirts are $20
- Wes Barlow hat (colors vary) $20
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.wesbarlow.bigcartel.com/
- Email: wesbarlowmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesbarlowmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wesbarlowmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/barlowwes
Image Credit:
Jeff Cohen
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